I'm so left behind on the STE post that I don't think I wanna post anything about STE anymore.
so let me post up this cerpen about the Rotaract Goodwill Trip to Sarawak.
it was very successful and I bonded greatly with everyone, especially my senior Rotaractors.
people involved:
Karen Na (the project director)
Harvin (Hotwind. haha!)
Kuo Chun (the professional photographer with his trademark "10 seconds, 6 pictures" shoot)
BOY (MONKEY in Kuching + ROOSTER in Sibu = MONSTER / Food la sap tang)
Javier
Yen Pinng
Andrey Walter
Stella (driver/tour guide)
Aamir (sole international student from Pakistan)
Mr. Saiful (officer from the UTP International Students' Unit a.k.a. our advisor)
me (driver/tour guide)
Shaemiee/Sam (driver/tour guide))
Kuching Rotaractors (headed by Ms. Sorensen Lau)
Sibu Rotaractors (headed by Ting Zing Seng)
Day 1
Thursday, 18 June 2009
ARRIVAL AT KUCHING INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Rotarian Arthur missed his flight because he misread 1530 as 5.30p.m. instead of 3.30p.m.
-_-"
drove to the airport to fetch BOY and Aamir at 5.00p.m.
BOY got new haircut.
looking much better at the moment.
XD
drove them to Singgahsana Lodge.
Karen was waiting for us there.
the place is so freaking pretty.
everyone loved it.
fully air-conditioned.
and the rooftop lounge is simply awesome.
X)
FELLOWSHIP WITH KUCHING ROTARACTORS AT SARAWAK CLUB AND GARDEN HILL
waited for everyone to get dressed.
I had to borrow Karen's collared top just to enter Sarawak Club for dinner.
blonde me.
-_-"
we had dinner at the Hornbill Restaurant.
introduced ourselves to the Kuching Rotaractors (led by Sorensen) and Rotarians.
ate our hearts out.
BOY and I found the angmoh, Robert, really amusing.
BOY nicknamed him Choo Yeong Seang.
haha.
X)
the Rotarian named Ariff talked to us about random stuff.
our table spent quite some time talking about the history of Sarawak.
which was, well, kinda interesting considering the fact that it wasn't read out loud from the Sejarah textbook.
however, despite the yummy butter prawns, I was actually dozing off towards the end of the dinner.
-_-"
it ended at 9.45p.m.
group photo at Sarawak Club.
then Michael suggested we go to Garden Hill.
I have never heard of Garden Hill in my life.
discovered that it's located just one floor below Topspot Food Court.
it has a yau-yau atmosphere but it's a lounge.
BOY ordered a cocktail which tasted like medicine.
he finished it anyway.
then Sorensen played the "How many cows?" and "Fuzzy Wuzzy" riddles with us.
"Fuzzy Wuzzy" was easy to figure out but BOY hasn't figured the "How many cows?" one yet.
haha.
we took a group photo outside and left at 11.45p.m.
I dropped everyone back at the lodge and drove home.
group photo at Garden Hill.
Day 2
Friday, 19 June 2009
COMMUNITY SERVICE AT THE KUCHING AUTISTIC ASSOCIATION (KAA)
woke up super early and drove down to Singgahsana.
had breakfast (toast and juice) at the lounge.
drove to the Kuching Autistic Association.
we were greeted by the staff.
Mr. Andrew briefed us on autism.
then we were brought around the centre to see the autistic children and the therapy carried out in hopes of healing them.
we also spent some time in the "gymnasium" where there are apparatus designed specially for autistic children.
most of them are used to improve the children's limit of stability.
we tried them all out and also tried interacting with the autistic children.
after that, Bernard, the psychiatrist, got us involved in an activity.
I forgot the name of the activity.
but it was really funny.
we were supposed to do some role play.
a teacher working with an autistic child.
it turned out to be a huge joke among us all.
I feel so bad; we were making fun of it throughout the trip.
O_O
we took group photos and left at 11.45a.m.
BOY and I playing with an autistic girl, Nurin.
group photo at the Kuching Autistic Association.
went to Chilipeppers.
had lunch.
sent Mr. Saiful and Aamir to the mosque near Electra House.
drove back to the lodge.
rested.
went to pick Mr. Saiful and Aamir from the mosque.
drove all the way to UNIMAS.
VISIT TO UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SARAWAK (UNIMAS)
the place is freaking huge.
it's like a space station.
like some NASA training base.
UTP kalah lor.
we got lost trying to look for the Chancellory.
I don't think anyone would get lost trying to find our Chancellor Hall.
one of the staff gave us a briefing about the history of UNIMAS and all.
they even have their own bottled water.
alkaline ionic water.
Mr. Saiful is gonna try to get UTP to manufacture its own bottled water too.
and appeal to get us air-conditioned hostel rooms.
X)
we went on a tour around the campus.
we visited the civil engineering faculty.
entered the cement lab.
and another lab where they make models of houses.
very creative.
but I have a strong feeling that si fu would do a better job at it.
XP
we then visited the much anticipated bowling alley.
which is, fortunately, a task on Mr. Saiful's to-do list.
we want a bowling alley in UTP!
got pool table some more in the bowling alley.
Chun, Michael, Javier, BOY and I had a round of bowling.
Chun and Michael damn pro at bowling man.
freaking pro.
-_-"
then BOY and I camwhored till 5.30p.m.
me and BOY at the bowling alley.
group photo at UNIMAS.
before dinner, we dropped by the airport.
hung around for awhile.
I dropped the rest off at Peach Garden.
went back to shower and pack.
Mummy drove us all back to the lodge.
YAU-YAU AT PARAGON, TRAVILION
(NOT PART OF ROTARACT GOODWILL TRIP)
BOY and I chilled out at the lounge.
we messed around with the beach net thing and camwhored again.
we were just killing time while waiting for Michael and Chun.
at 11.30p.m., Michael arrived and brought us to Paragon at Travilion.
he and Chun brought their friends along.
so me and BOY felt kind of out of place.
I called Sam up.
he joined us.
BOY had Chivas (I think) and I had vodka.
Sam drank out of our cups.
the rest is history.
*fast forward*
Michael drove me, BOY and Chun back to the lodge.
we survived.
apparently, BOY brought me up to the lounge again.
we stayed there till I was sober.
Chun was still crazy, though.
we mixed around with a group of foreigners from Australia.
they were high, too.
we took photos with Megan, an Australian-Filipino and Chevonne, an Australian.
went to bed at around 4.00a.m.
that was when I lost my voice.
hanging out on the beach net thing.
best friend, boyfriend, me, photographer.
Day 3
Saturday, 20 June 2009
SARAWAK CULTURAL VILLAGE AND BUNTAL
got up early for Indian rojak at Rock Road.
fetched Sam after breakfast.
drove to Sarawak Cultural Village.
watched the cultural performance at 11.30a.m.
visited all the cultural houses.
took heaps of photos.
Sam left for home and came back halfway.
BOY and I on the stage after the cultural performance.
group photo at one of the cultural houses.
group photo at Sarawak Cultural Village.
Sam drove us to Buntal to have late lunch.
we had oh zien, bamboo crab clam, soup and other ordinary food.
then halfway through lunch, Javier played a game with us.
it's a riddle called "Connections".
when you first hear it, it does not make any sense at all.
it ridiculously DOES NOT MAKE SENSE AT ALL.
and so, all of us tried to figure it out.
a few of us already knew the trick, though.
-_-"
they played the game all the way back to Kuching.
Sam figured it out while driving halfway.
then he started a new one, "Bang Bang Bang, who died?".
that one was a bit weird, too.
kinda stupid, but hey, what more can you expect from Sam?
just kidding.
X)
by the time we reached Satok, I figured the "Connections" one out already.
and I nearly strangled BOY (who was sitting in front) to death.
it's so stupid lah.
the trick makes you feel like a stupid loser.
like, omg.
-_-" -_-"
anyway, Sam dropped himself back home.
I drove back to the lodge.
relaxed a bit.
then brought BOY to Spring to exchange the PDI belt I bought him for a rightly-sized one.
persuaded the salesgirl to let BOY change the belt.
he got himself a prettier one.
then we walked around.
we were practically ogling at all the good-looking models on the walls of the shops.
we always do that.
BOY can be such a good window shopping partner.
*winks*
nothing much to see in Spring, actually.
I mean, come on, for one coming from KL (fuyoh since when was I from KL), Spring is like, what, Giant?
haha, just kidding.
like I told BOY, Spring is Kuching's Pavilion KL.
-_-"
after Spring, brought BOY to ArcoStrings to get his cello strings.
freaking expensive, man.
but the shop manager looks professional so I might actually go back there to get myself a tuner.
see first lah.
BBQ AT MARG'S HOUSE
(NOT PART OF ROTARACT GOODWILL TRIP)
drove back to the lodge.
waited for everyone to get dressed.
(note: part of the jobscope of becoming a driver: wait for everyone to get dressed.)
drove BOY, Karen, Harvin and Chun to Marg's for BBQ dinner.
Javier and Yen Pinng arrived later.
Sam too.
we ate till we were bloated.
there was so much food.
camwhored a bit.
then someone took the tuak out.
the rest drank.
Marg downed like, half the bottle I think.
-_-"
after dinner, we chilled out in the living room.
then Sam drove me, BOY and Chun to my house just so that I could shower.
and pack.
and get my laptop.
and the extra bottle of tuak.
BOY's like a kid lah.
I had to take my violins out just so that he has something to do to entertain himself.
brought my laptop to Marg's.
Chun transferred photos.
Karen and Harvin played Twister with my sisters.
Javier played guitar.
Yen Pinng fell asleep on the couch.
BOY was bored and went to sing karaoke with Sam in the living room.
Sam dropped us back at the lodge at around 11.30p.m.
group photo at the BBQ in Marg's garden.
BOY and I brought the bottle up to the lounge.
he drank half the bottle.
damn lihai lor.
that bottle of tuak freaking strong leh.
Day 4
Sunday, 21 June 2009
BAKO NATIONAL PARK
woke up freaking early.
had breakfast.
slept in the van all the way to Bako.
freaking near lah, if use shortcut.
obviously.
thank goodness I didn't drive.
would've taken ages to reach because I know no shortcut to Bako.
-_-"
reached the jetty.
while waiting to board the boat, BOY and I watched mudskippers.
haha lame right.
X)
wore our lifejackets before boarding the boat.
journey took about, half an hour?
I'm not too sure.
kesian Karen kena sprayed by water because she sat at the side of the boat.
reached the shore.
had to take our shoes off to walk to land.
took some photos.
walked to the office.
waited for Chun, Michael, Sorensen and the rest.
took a group photo.
headed off to the Telok Pandan Kecil trail.
trail length: 1.5km.
hiked all the way to the top.
sweat until nearly die.
the view up there was incredible.
camwhored.
took a group photo with our banner.
Karen (RACUTP) and Alex (RAC Kuching) exchanged bannerettes.
took more photos.
hiked down to the shore.
BOY stripped took his shirt off to dry.
he seriously sweat until his whole shirt was wet.
I tried to make a hanger thingy for it but failed.
then BOY wanted to go down into the water.
I lent him my shorts.
he went down.
I was bored.
went to make this sandcastle/zigurat thing.
then Chun made me go into the water too.
bo pien lor.
got dragged into the water.
play, play, play while waiting for the boat.
we decided to go back by boat because lazy wanna hike all the way back.
Aamir did, though.
so semangat.
he really enjoyed the hiking.
went to fetch him when the boat came.
me and BOY at the shore.
group photo at Bako National Park.
we dropped by Parkson to eat at KFC.
then we went walking around.
Parkson also nothing to see one lah.
-_-"
walked back to the lodge.
suggested to BOY that they should try Scoops out.
Kuching's Baskin-Robbins.
haha.
slept for an hour or so.
got up.
crossed the Sarawak river on a sampan for dinner.
had dinner on the other side of Kuching.
rode the sampan back again.
the others went to meet Michael, Chun and Alex at Scoops.
BOY walked me back to the lodge.
Kung Kung drove me home.
showered.
packed.
Kung Kung dropped me at Scoops.
but the others were done already.
dang!
T_T
group photo at Scoops.
SINGGAHSANA ROOFTOP LOUNGE
walked back to the lodge.
went straight up to the lounge.
took the bottle of remaining tuak out.
everyone drank.
I didn't.
X)
we played pool.
again, Michael and Chun were the pros.
those two memang pro at social games one.
like pool, bowling, darts and all.
I had a few tries.
damn my accuracy sucked big time.
-_-"
need to practise more.
I actually like pool.
X)
after pool, we left a message from RACUTP on the wall of the counter of the lounge.
that's the cool thing about Singgahsana Lodge.
their customers get to leave messages on the walls of the lounge.
the walls were full so we did ours on the counter.
I don't think anyone would get the message, though.
because of the inside joke.
regarding Bernard.
haha!
XD
went to bed at 1.00a.m.
group photo on the rooftop lounge.
message from RACUTP to the Singgahsana crew.
Day 5
Monday, 22 June 2009
woke up even earlier than Sunday.
had to eat breakfast fast.
loaded the luggage into the van and Michael's car.
headed for the wharf.
reached the wharf with time to spare.
Michael damn funny lah wear PJs out.
XD
BOAT RIDE TO SIBU
boarded the express boat.
BOY and I went to the deck for the first half hour.
went back inside and it was freezing cold.
had to lend BOY my infamous oversized Harry Potter shirt just so he won't freeze his ass off.
slept for awhile.
woke up.
we both went outside again.
to sunbathe.
w00t.
I'm super tan now.
so not balanced, my skin tone.
and BOY looks like a lakia now.
he's proud of it some more.
-_-"
camwhored.
sunbathed till we reached the Sibu wharf at around 1.45p.m.
got off the boat.
got shocked when we saw the UCS Rotaractors welcoming us with a banner.
that was a real sweet gesture.
we introduced ourselves.
took a group photo.
loaded ourselves together with luggages into the cars.
group photo in the boat.
me and BOY suntanning on the boat.
group photo with the UCS Rotaractors and the banner they made to welcome us.
went to have lunch.
I made BOY eat kampua mee.
he wasn't really impressed.
oh well.
*shrugs*
went to Eden Inn where we were staying.
it's just next to Sacred Heart Church.
my parents got married there!
just a fun fact.
XP
anyway, I was to stay with Karen, Harvin and Yen Pinng that night.
X)
VISIT TO RANTAU PANJANG LONGHOUSE
the UCS Rotaractors drove us to the longhouse at around 4.00p.m.
we presented gifts for all the families in the longhouse to the tuai rumah.
explored the place a bit.
took a lot of photos.
most of the penghunis weren't home.
they were out working.
only a few adults and some kids were around.
Karen gave a speech.
so did the tuai rumah.
took photos with him and the few kids.
left the place for UCS, which was nearby.
BOY, me and the longhouse kids.
group photo at the Rantau Panjang longhouse.
VISIT TO UNITED COLLEGE SARAWAK (UCS) CAMPUS
(NOT PART OF ROTARACT GOODWILL TRIP)
the UCS campus is cool.
cool in a sense that they name their buildings after Tufail Mahmud's family.
Tufail Mahmud is our Chief Minister, Taib Mahmud's brother.
seeing hostel buildings named after his wife and daughters is something I've never seen before.
because I know his daughters.
they were from Marg's school.
anyway, Hie Siang and Zing Seng gave us a short tour of the campus.
then we hung out in front of the main building.
Chun decided to have a photoshoot.
you know, his "10 seconds, 6 pictures" thing.
we did crazy poses.
in the air.
Chun took photos of BOY's, Harvin's and my shirts too.
because mine said "omg!".
BOY's said "I'm a chocoholic."
Harvin's said "Hotwind".
so we arranged ourselves: omg! Hotwind, I'm a chocoholic.
yeah, it's cheesy.
but whatever lah.
just for fun.
X)
group photo at the UCS campus.
macamlah it's our university.
DINNER WITH RAC SIBU, SIBU ROTARY CLUB AND SIBU WATER BOARD
went back to Eden Inn.
washed up and got dressed for dinner with Sibu Rotary Club and Sibu Water Board.
it was at Tanahmas Hotel, just across the street.
we were late though.
the Rotaract advisor, Dr. Gregory, dulaned because we made the V.I.P.s wait.
-_-"
the dinner wasn't all that bad.
the food was ok.
service was kinda sucky.
the Sibu Water Board played a few videos regarding saving water.
videos not unlike the one we watched during STE.
we had our own form of entertainment: chopsticks.
Chun was teaching Aamir how to use chopsticks.
Harvin was all hyped up because she could use them to pick peanuts.
the chopsticks wrapper actually had instructions on how to use them.
I recorded a video of Chun and his disciple, Aamir.
cute.
at least Aamir learned something new.
X)
people from the press were there.
they took group photos of us.
photos to be published in the newspapers.
XD
then we left for the pasar malam.
group photo with RAC Sibu, Sibu Rotary Club and Sibu Water Board.
Chopsticks video.
starring: Chun, Aamir, Harvin.
SIBU PASAR MALAM AND KARAOKE
(NOT PART OF ROTARACT GOODWILL TRIP)
rang CK to meet up.
didn't do much.
Harvin and I both got ourselves a pair of cheap shades each.
loving my pasar malam shades.
X)
then BOY gatal suddenly wanna go karaoke.
so we went.
the UCS Rotaractors, BOY, Chun, CK and me.
tao tia lah go there.
the room was freaking small.
I was suffocating in there.
felt really sick.
hadn't gotten my voice back, so couldn't sing.
on the other hand, BOY and CK enjoyed themselves.
sing until stand on the sofa.
one thing good, though.
first time hear BOY singing on the mike.
X)
after karaoke, went for supper at some food court.
we had drinks.
then went back to the inn.
I was really tired.
and losing my voice did not help.
-_-"
I was sunburned, not drunk.
Day 6
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
we had breakfast at the top floor of the largest wet market in Sibu.
I introduced two new Foochow dishes to everyone: tin pian hu and rice cakes.
BOY played his role really well as my and everyone else's la sap tang.
X)
COMMUNITY SERVICE AT THE SARAWAK SOCIETY FOR THE BLIND (SIBU DIVISION BRANCH)
went to the Sarawak Blind Centre.
we were briefed by Dr. Gregory.
we watched the blind weave rattan baskets for sale.
then we were put under the supervision of the caretaker.
the boys painted the fence.
the girls did housework like sweeping, mopping, wiping, etc.
haiya like maid's work lah.
Yen Pinng and I learned something new that day.
we learned that we can actually mop carpets!
wow!
like, whoever mops their carpets?
but someone there said that their carpet is made of nylon or some synthetic material then can mop.
then me and Yen Pinng bo pien lor.
mop ma mop lor.
no point arguing.
-_-"
I bought a rattan basket for Papa for Father's Day.
it's for him to put all his gadget junk thingies.
he likes it.
=)
shifted downstairs to help with the fence.
didn't do much.
fooled around with the rest a bit.
took a group photo.
community service done!
group photo at the Sarawak Society for the Blind.
fooling around while painting the fences.
the Rotaractors brought us for lunch.
where?
Rafie Café!
and what's so special about that café?
it's owned by family!
family as in, dad's cousin.
ok, just another fun fact.
too bad second cousin couldn't recognize me.
-_-"
I ate half a bowl of laksa, gave the other half to BOY.
Dr. Gregory talked to BOY and I about UTP.
then he talked to the journalist.
when we were done, we took group photos.
left for Wisma Sanyan after that.
group photo at Rafie Café.
WISMA SANYAN AND DELTA MALL
(NOT PART OF ROTARACT GOODWILL TRIP)
at Wisma Sanyan, we walked around for a bit.
then Andrey, Javier and Yen Pinng had to leave.
Andrey, for a plane to Sabah.
Javier and Yen Pinng, for a bus to Bintulu.
we bid them goodbye.
then we walked around on our own.
BOY and I walked into Parkson.
BOY bought a collared shirt.
I love it.
he wanted to get an S-size (which would make him look gay) but I made him take an M-size.
I have heard enough about BOY's gayness.
-_-"
omg that sounded freaking weird.
-_-" -_-"
went back to the inn after shopping and window shopping.
everyone washed up and started packing.
loaded our luggage into the cars.
CK joined us.
then the Rotaractors brought us to Delta Mall.
it's a newly-opened mall in Sibu.
CK, BOY and I walked around the whole mall looking at, nothing in particular.
by 6.00p.m., we were all hungry.
so we went to Singapore Chicken Rice to have dinner.
not a very ideal place to have dinner in Sibu, in my opinion.
oh well.
camwhored like mad while waiting for the food to be served.
camwhored a bit after eating too.
we paid for Hie Siang's, Zing Seng's and Benjamin's dinner as thanks for all that they did for us.
=)
we left at around 7.00p.m.
BOY's, Karen's, Harvin's and Aamir's flight was at 8.15p.m.
and Sibu Airport is quite a distance from town.
so Hie Siang and Zing Seng sped all the way there.
we reached the airport half an hour later.
alive.
me and BOY.
the five stooges at Singapore Chicken Rice.
DEPARTURE AT SIBU AIRPORT
Chun, the three Rotaractors and I queued up with BOY and the rest at the check-in counter.
I was already feeling glum at that point; I didn't show it.
Chun took photos.
we posed for him.
we crapped all the way to the departure gate.
deep inside, I was already missing not only BOY, but everyone else.
I was secretly hoping that their flight would get delayed.
exchanged hugs with everyone.
hugged BOY and didn't want to let go.
he was all, "haiyo you, three weeks only lah."
I was gonna break down any moment.
thank goodness I didn't.
can't explain how I felt at that time.
thinking about it now is just gonna make me tear.
T_T
bid our last goodbyes to BOY, Karen, Harvin and Aamir in the departure hall.
left the airport.
group photo at the Sibu Airport.
really didn't want him to leave.
THE END
so that's that.
my first time hosting friends from overseas (literally) in my hometown, Kuching.
and my other sort-of-hometown, Sibu (where BOY says I have more authority because I can speak Foochow).
*hau lien hau lien*
XD
it was a really fun week.
I want to thank Karen for successfully organizing this trip.
it is my pleasure being the driver/tour guide for everyone while in Kuching.
I am so taking part in the next RACUTP trip.
p.s. this post took me a whole week to complete.
