Girls' Night Out Tagged at Hash & Tag Cafe (11/9/16)

  What's with a semester break without a girls' night out? Yu Xuan and I were out in full force for our third girls' night out. The first one was Brats & Uni cafe, the second time was at my place. Weeks before the one-week semester break, we've been planning to meet up since the last one was in June. I arrived in my hometown, Melaka, on Saturday. The first thing I always wanted to do is to meet up with some high school friends.

  I went to the Messenger app to check out who was on the house. Unfortunately, some of them were on a road trip with their family while some of them weren't back yet, so it's just left Yu Xuan and I. I was really excited for the night out. After doing revision, it's time for me to pack up a few stuff for the night out. While I was getting ready, Yu Xuan texted me through the Messenger app that she would be a little late. I said "It's okay, take all the time you need!" By the time I came out from the washroom, she just arrived. What a nice timing, I thought.

   After putting on my trustee black and red DC shoes, it's off to the night out at Hash & Tag cafe (I did mention in one of my blog posts, feel free to check it out!). It's my first time back at the cafe since I last visited in June. I reorganized the same young waiter who served us during our last visit. This time, I'm gonna try out the waffles. As the waiter handed us the menu, we looked through what we were going to dig in. Eggs are my favorite so I decided to try the eggy waffle while Yu Xuan chose a crab waffle.  As for drinks, Yu Xuan and I chose green tea latte and hot lemon tea respectively to heat up the night.

  I decided to go for dessert. I asked Yu Xuan whether she wanted to have a bite. "You go ahead!" she said. I went to the counter and ordered a tiramisu which I tasted last time when I first visited the cafe. That was one of my list when I arrived- tasting the tiramisu.

  The rest of the night was just catching up. I had the best time of my life! Just my girl, Yu Xuan and I chilling the night.

C&S Carnival in Sunway College 2016 (6/9/16-8/9/16)

  It's that time of the year- the second half of C&S carnival in Sunway University College. I've been looking forward to it for weeks! Since I missed the first one in March, I'm not gonna miss the second time around. Let's take a look at the three-day scene of the carnival.

  On Tuesday, it was the first day of the carnival, I was super excited! I can't wait to help out at the society where I'm in- Sunway Buddhist Society also known as SBS for short. Once at 11.00am, I went to the MUFY hub to hand in some important homework. I was supposed to wait for my senior- Yi Xin, to pick me up at the third floor, South Building, but due to something, that got her a little late so I asked two of the students who were just about to go off.

  As I arrived at the ground floor, I went straight to the Energy Hub. I got lost along the way. "Where's the SBS' booth?" I asked one of the students at the Japanese Cultural Club. A girl said:"I know where it is!" She led me to the booth where it was just at the corner of the hub. Small but at least students will drop by right. I thanked the two fellow MUFY students. One by one, members of the society came! I was so happy to see them. The last time I saw them was about 4 months ago. 

  We have our president of the society- Hon Pong, the PR- Jia Jin and our soon-to-be president- Nico, came to help. I was so happy that I gave them a hug. "Hey Katelyn! How are you?" Jia Jin asked as he settled the banners and posters. "I'm good! How about you?" I said. "Very well! It's so good to see you again!" Well, we have a camp coming up on this Saturday. This is our very first camp in 26 years of SBS' history, we're collaborating with IMU's Buddhist Society. The theme of the camp is: Path to Happiness- Liberate Yourself. It's a three-day-two-night trip in Tanjung Sepat, Selangor. About an hour drive from the campus. 

  To make it more interesting, I decided to a live video through Facebook so that students will know more about the society. Of course, I got the green light from my seniors. It's been a blast! Unfortunately, no one was dropping by as our booth was located in the corner of the hub. There were music performances. I decided to try it out, just to feel the taste of being back in the spotlight. At first, I got rejected by the music society. After much persuasion, they managed to get me through. C'mon, this is my passion, can't you just let the girl to perform just once? 

  On the second day, as usual I went back to help out, Surprisingly, I was the only one at the booth. Since no students dropped by, might as well kill the time by doing some homework just to get the boredom off. I also brought some moon cake, butter biscuits and sweets for them. They deserved all the treats. Nico liked the dao sa piah as well as the moon cake, so did Pratima. As were talking, I found out that Jia Jin, Nico, Yi Xin and I were wearing the Buddhist strings on our wrists. We decided to take a picture. 

  We also managed to pull some students in join our camp but most of them just passed by. The Photography Club students came to take our pictures. Our campus' mascot, Samson the Sun Bear dropped by to say hi to us. 

  On the third and final day, we did our very best to get the students to join in the fun. Two of them came to drop by and we managed to convince them. I'm very happy what I've gone through throughout these three days. I would like thank my seniors, especially Hon Pong, Jia Jin and Nico who guided me throughout the activity. I'm so proud that the carnival was a success! Thanks those who helped out and came by to support us. 

  

Fish Out of Water at The Fish Bowl (5/9/16)

 My last class which is Biology ended at 1.30pm. Hui Yee and I are waiting for Ammelin, my batch mate, to pick me up because we're heading to The Fish Bowl poke cafe to have lunch. Hui Yee accompanies the two of us, to the lift since she is done for the day. Ammelin presses the down button but the lift is going up so we decide to "ride" with the rest of the students until it reaches the fifth floor, then back down to the ground floor. 

  When we reach the ground floor, we let out a sigh of relive. Since the newly opened cafe is at the university side, we have to walk all the way till the end of the campus. The sun is scorching high above us but that didn't stop us from getting our lunch. On the way to the cafe, some students also walking out of the campus at this time of hour. Still, we have to cross the road to get to our destination. I manage to stop a car. 

  Along the way, Ammelin tells me that The Fish Bowl poke cafe is always full when she comes for lunch. Since it's around 1.40pm, I think there will not be much students as most students' break time is at 11.00am. The moment we enter the cafe, I smell fresh salmon filling in the air. The setting is an underwater theme- the white float hanging on the wall says Welcome Aboard. Since it's our first time dining here, San, who is one of the co workers of the cafe gives us a brief guide on how to order our "fish bowl". 

  I look through the steps carefully. I tick the one that I love to eat on the list, probably almost everything! Nah, I'm just kidding! Ammelin hands our orders to San. After a few minutes, our "fish bowls" are done. I look at the combination of my meal and I know why they called The Fish Bowl because the round cup is like a place for the fishes to swim. Instead of real life fishes, the dishes we ordered are described as the "fish". A very interesting name! I can't wait to taste more when I visit to the cafe next time. Maybe, I'll be putting Mayo or Thousand Island as the final toppings of my dish. 

  A very pleasant and relaxing cafe. The staffs are very friendly and hospitable, so drop by at The Fish Bowl when your nearby to get your lunch out of the water.

 

MUFY Sharity Carnival 2016 (1/9/16)

  It's the time of the year again- the yearly MUFY Sharity Carnival is on full swing! All classes are reduced to half an hour to ensure all the students to get involved with the event. It's my second year joining the event. I used to think that the carnival was big, in the end I found out it was quite small yet fun! Most games are held at the second floor of the South Building. The food and drinks are all at the Energy Hub.  This time is a bigger event! In conjunction with Australia Week, all the Australian academic programmes in the college- AUSMAT, MUFY and VU Business School come together to educate the students on Australia.  

  Before the big day, we had a pre sale a week before. It was held at the new location, third floor (South Building). They sold handicrafts and pies. After Globalisation class, my friends and I go to the Energy Hub to check out the yummy foods and drinks. As planned, Joni, Othy and I meet up every Thursday. My homie, Hui Qing, sent me a picture of her stall through WhatsApp. I manage to catch up with her. Before leaving, I said "Hui Qing, could you please reserve some brownies and choclate biscuits for me?" Hui Qing said: "Yes, I'll keep some for you!" I thank her.

  Joni, Othy and I go to the foyer a always. Well, gotta do a little bit of course work before you can have fun right? Tomorrow, I'm having a bio topic test so gotta do all the preparations. Although, it does not include in the internal marks, still test on our biological knowledge. At 10am, the three of us head for our respective classes. I'm five minutes late so just left 25 minutes before class ends. At 10.30am, Hui Yee and I head to the Hub for some fun. I buy ice cream, brownies and biscuits as well as coke.

  Since Hui Yee is helping at the carnival, she accompanies me for about 10 minutes, it's worth it! It's just me sitting at the old cafeteria, listening to the music. I also bump into my batch mate, Ammelin. The two of us went for another round of "window shopping" at the carnival, I try some tasty food along the way. All thanks to my juniors, Hui Qing and Ryan, who are so kind to let me try some food samples. It's so yummy! Around 11.55am, Ammelin and I left the carnival and head to the library. I kinda stop in my tracks when sign reads All You Need to know About Australia.

  The booth is organised by the VU Business School students. They have a game to test your knowledge on how well you know about the Down Under. I manage to get three right. Especially the last one when the question about which two mammals only lay eggs. "What is it?" one of the students asks. "The echidina and the platypus," I answer. "Wow, you're the first one to get it right!" she said. She asks how do I know the answer.  "I watch this Pet Collective YouTube series called Growing Up with Bindi & Robert Irwin," I said.

The rest of the day just chilling at my favourite place on campus- the library! Crikey, what a great day!

Crime Prevention Campaign at Sunway University (30/8/16)

  After Economic class, I go to the library to have some "me time" as my course mates are having topic tests for Accounting so they decide to skip lunch and focus all their attention on the books. While I'm on my way to the library, students are getting together at the main foyer of the college. I guess it's lunch time for most of them. Well, I'm not that hungry because I'm saving that appetite when I get home from college. As we walk along the pedestrian walkway, there's a slight rain from the heavy showers early morning. The floor is very wet so I have to be careful, especially when you're on elbow crutches because the rubber end will just let you slip and fall, that would be embarrassing! 

  Damian and Pui Yee accompany me into the library while the rest of them wait outside. Luckily they find a seat which is very near at my favourite spot of the library- the fountain view. "Thanks a lot! You guys go ahead, I'll be okay," I said. By the time, I come out from the washroom, the room is almost full! While I'm doing my revision as always, I hear some music that is coming from the University foyer. I didn't care that much at first, so it's back to the books again. 

  Suddenly, the national anthem, Negaraku is played which I pause for awhile and sing softly until the end of it. Curiosity hit me- I have to check out what is going on up there. I ask the student who sits beside me to take me out of the library. To my surprise, a campaign is launched by none other than Sunway's founder- Tan Seri Dr. Jeffery Cheah, alongside with PDRM's Crime Department to raise awareness about crime prevention. 

  There is a small play during the launch. The Pink Panther theme song is on cue, "evil laughter" is heard. As we look up to the balcony, a student who plays the bandit has the real poster. The one revealed by the officials is a "fake". Here comes our "policeman"! He asks the audience where is the "bandit". Together with university's mascot, Samson the sun bear and a little help from the public, the "bandit" is now under the long arms of the law. What a great showcase to raise awareness about our safety. 

  Lucky for me, I have the golden opportunity to talk to one of the policemen who attends the campaign. He is Inspector Foo. Inspector Foo tells me everything about the campaign, also I ask a few questions regarding to the campaign. He even gives me tips on how to detect a finger print. "You find a shiny and clear object, that way you can spot the finger print easily," Inspector Foo said. We are sitting on the mini stage so finger prints are really hard to find. Can't end the conversation without a selfie right? Wow, meeting a real life policeman up close and personal. 

  All the VIPs are invited to have high tea at Level 6 of the university. It's back to my books. After I'm done studying, I eventually bump into my best friend, Bair! We have a lot catching up while waiting for the car. 

  I have the best day of life! What a way to celebrate National Day in college. I have gained more knowledge on crime prevention. Who knows I might be Sherlock Holmes one day? 

DSP Foo with Katelyn at the Crime Prevention Campaign 

Welcome Home, Our Heroes! (24/8/16)

  After a long 30-hour flight from Rio de Jernio, Brazil, our 32 Malaysian athletes have finally come back to the home soil to celebrate their victory at the recent Rio Olympic Games 2016. At around 2.18 pm, our heroes have arrived! As the plane lands, big splashes of water are sprinkled on the airport runway. There are approximately 5000 supporters to welcome the heroes, along side with dignitaries, families and friends. 

  I want to go, unfortunately the time they landed in Malaysia clashes with my time in college but that didn't stop me to catch the live event on Facebook. Major Mandarin presses such as China Press, Sinchew Daily and Oriental Daily News just to name a few. While television programmes such as Astro Arena and Astro BDQ are reporting live through Facebook as well, not forgetting some top listened radio stations like hitz.fm, MY FM as well as OneFM crews who join in the party as well. 

  While I'm on my way back from college, Kompleks Bunga Raya is packed with people who come to support our heroes. There are some entertainment from the footage too! Appearantly, national day celebration comes very early for these guys as a few entertainers sing some national themed songs like Jalur Gemilang and Saya Anak Malaysia. When the heroes make their grand entrance, the media are swarming them with cameras and supporters are shouting "Malaysia Boleh!" They are presented with a galland of flowers by the dignitaries. 

  The press conference begins as every athlete answers the media's questions about their sweet success in Rio. All eyes are on our badminton hero- Dato Lee Chong Wei. When the press ask about what are the values they learned from their success? Diving princess, Pandelela Pamg said "It's to inspire the younger generations of today to never give up on your dreams, work hard and most importantly to be confident in yourself," Badminton mixed doubles sliver medalist, Goh Liu Ying said that she hopes the juniors would take them as role models in order to achieve success. 

   The heroes are really surprised by the welcoming ceremony, they never thought they will come back as heroes. Recently, badminton men's doubles, Tan Wee Kiong, has become an Internet sensation overnight since he won the sliver medal with his partner, Goh V Shem. A heartwarming scene when a young fan presented her badminton gold medal to Chong Wei, which she won in her primary school days. To Chong Wei, he is the champion in our hearts as well as the heroes too! 

    Despite I'm having Cerebral Palsy since 18 months old, these athletes inspire me to dream big and never give up, no matter how hard the challenge is. If you asked me who is my biggest inspiration among them, I would say, Dato Lee. Why? You might ask. The answer is simple: He has this fighting spirit every time he goes on the badminton court. He has a very calm mind to face the challenges whether is on or off the court. 

  I have the book written by Lee himself, Dare to be A Champion. The book caught my attention when I was at the Popular Book fest in 2012. The book is about Lee's life from his childhood days to his road as becoming the champion of the people today. Let me just take a quote from the book: "If you dare to win, you dare to loose". The quote tells us that if we are dare to face the challenge, we are dare to take the risk along the way. 

  Thank you heroes for your sweat, tears and sacrifices that you made throughout your three-week journey in Rio, Brazil. You inspire the younger generation of today to never give up and move forward You guys deserve a good long rest. Malaysia Boleh! Once again, welcome home! Selamat pulang je tanah air (Welcome back to the home soil). 

   

Sweet Victories for Malaysian Badminton Team (19/8/16)

  It was a great night for Malaysians because our badminton team had marched into the semi-finals in men's singles and men's doubles finals. Malaysians were looking forward to the 37th and final "Lee-Lin" face off. At 7.30pm, we were all glued to our seats to see the spectacular face off in the Rio Olympics 2016. I've been counting down the time from the moment I reached home from college! 

  The moment our badminton hero- Dato Lee Chong Wei made his entrance, the spectators cheered him on alongside with the "Malaysia Boleh" spirit. Our national flag was soaring all the way throughout the competition. Some of them went to restaurants, mamak and some even held a fan gathering place throughout the nation to cheer our hero on. As for me, I sat on the couch while eating my mummy's marinated grilled chicken with potatoes and some bits of mushrooms. 

  The game had just begun. Everyone was cheering when Chong Wei got a winning point. He lost the first match but climbed back up to the second which left the victory to the decisive set or also known as the "rubber set" in the sports context. The decisive set was super intense when the both players reached a 20-20. I was screaming "Malaysia Boleh!"which caused my parents to give me a glare. Well I don't care! It's for the country. It's now 21-20, the moment we all have been waiting for. 

  The 22nd point came, Chong Wei screamed with pride and tears of joy were shed. Malaysians were celebrating the historic victory moment. Both players praised each other for a job well done! The heartwarming came when Chong Wei and Lin Dan exchanged their team's shirts- it was a very rare scene on the badminton court. I was back on social media, Malaysians were congratulating our hero. 

  It was also men's doubles finals which I had mentioned earlier. We stayed up very late to see budding badminton men's doubles players- Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong in a golden match face off with China's Fu Hai Feng and Zhang Nan. They won the first match but tried even harder at the second match. China got the second one which left us yet again to another rubber set. Two rubber sets for Malaysia's badminton team in one day! What a match! 

  China got the winning point, Malaysia crowned as the runner-up. V Shem-Wee Kiong created by becoming the first men's doubles pair to get an Olympic medal in 20 years. They are still champions in Malaysians' heart. Thank you V Shem-Wee Kiong, to see our national flag soaring at the victory ceremony. It was worth it to stay up late to watch our badminton heroes fight for the country. You made us proud! A big thumbs up to you all. 

   Once again, thank you for uniting Malaysians.