The first month in UiTM Puncak Perdana
The journey of earning a chance to the university wasn't as easy as I thought it was. Thus, it felt like a dream come true especially when it's a course that I'm really into; Animation. Pursuing my studies into something that I've been wanting to do since high school to me, is very precious. I strongly believe that every university students had a surreal experience for their first days in university. I had mine. In a span of a month, I have learned and experienced a lot of new things. The whole month is called "Interim Session".As a new student of UiTM Puncak Perdana, it is both exciting and scary to me. Since I'm a Sarawakian, my whole life's setting changed. I was quite intimidated at first but I've promised myself that I have to be a better version of myself and to break out my comfort zone both as an artist and a person once I'm in university. Proudly, I have successfully fulfilled my own little promise with the help of these lovely people in UiTM Puncak Perdana.
It was around 5 p.m. when I said my goodbyes to my parents. Of course, I had to shed some tears especially when my parents will be on the other side of the country but I've consoled myself that I should be stronger and be more independent. As I was cluttering my new dorm room, Yaya my roommate, was the first one to approach me. She was quite friendly and made a good first impression of herself. To be honest, I am quite an introvert. So, our conversation was quite awkward at first. Nonetheless, she made me feel comfortable at the end. On the same day, I greet the rest of my housemates by exchanging self-introduction and gave them Kit Kats as what they would like to call it "charity work".The first day was quite exhausting to me especially with the last minute shopping, clutter, and a few night activities. Nonetheless, the day went just fine.
On the very next day, it was the day where I first truly bond with my housemates. We were told to clean our own houses and declutter one of the college's block. As my housemates and I were cleaning and tidying things up, the rest of us, slowly, starting to show our true colors. It was all started when one of my housemates played a song on her speaker. We were dancing and jumping like maniacs. I still remember one of them cleaning the toilet bowl with the toilet brush while following the music's rhythm and it made all of us laughed. Even though we were acting like lunatics, we still managed to finish our cleanings and discussed our shopping trip to Aeon Mall for the house necessities. I am really grateful to have such lovely housemates until to this day.
On the second week, these were the days where it was my first time making a short film for a programme called Celik Fikir. We were told o choose one topic and deliver the message through a short film. We were divided into several groups. There were 36 people in my group. At first, I was quite intimidated by my groupmates because most of my groupmates were all considered "famous".Fortunately, as we were introducing ourselves and discussed the short film, we work well together. At that very moment, I realized that I shouldn't judge a person until I talk to them myself. We were all inexperienced in making a short film but in the end, we managed to make a short film called "Bully".We had a rough start as our leader was picked randomly and he was not really confident about his way of directing. We've consoled him and supported him by giving him ideas. Eventually, he managed to lead us throughout the film-making sessions and got more confidence in him. In the end, our short film turned out great, especially with my groupmates' editing skills. We didn't win but we've learned a lot of things together and had fun throughout the film-making session.
On the third and the fourth day of the second week, we had our MDS Opening Ceremony. We were told that we were the first batch to have their MDS Opening Ceremony to be held at Uitm Puncak Perdana as the previous batches had theirs at Uitm Puncak Alam instead. The night before the Opening Ceremony day, we had rehearsals for the event. The event was managed by the Creative Industry Management's head of the center, Madam Aminah Rhapoor or often called as "Puan Ami". Puan Ami was quite intimidating at first but we've learned a lot about event management from her. Even though I'm from the Animation department, I believe that this knowledge would also be useful in the animation field. I really admired how detail and precise she was when managing the whole event. Hence, the stern look and the assertive personality of hers. I am also a detailed person.So.I've learned that I need to be more assertive and speak my mind out but still respect the personal boundaries of others.
The third week was to me, the highlight of my interim session. This is when I have truly stepped out of my comfort zone. It was during Cartoon Nite's preparation days. I was really excited about this very event because my friend, who is now a semester 2 student in the writing department once told me about Cartoon Nite long before I came here. Basically, it's an event where the animation department has to handle during the interim month and it's often related to "cosplaying" which I was really hyped for. During the Cartoon Nite's meeting, I've made a lot of new friends. I like that most of us had the same interests and we bonded really well. This is how I've met my close coursemates, Azliana, Wawa, Zack and Farhah. We were the firsts to volunteered in handling the props and the decorations for the Cartoon Nite. I also took the opportunity to challenge myself by conducting one of the Cartoon Nite's performances. It was called Street Fighter. I was quite scared to speak out my ideas for the show as I was shaking when I tried to explain it to them. Fortunately, everyone was supportive of me and showed interest. Even though we rehearsed for only in a span of two days, the Cartoon Nite went really well. We took the advice we've learned during the MDS Opening Ceremony and our Malam Bertatih event and practiced it on our Cartoon Nite. On the Cartoon Nite day, I was cosplaying as Coraline from the movie, "Coraline" since it's my favorite animation movie. It was my first time cosplaying. So, I was quite shy at first but I tried to be in character the whole day and just enjoy being Coraline. The event was really great and we've got complimented for our teamwork and creativity. There was a cosplay fashion show, PUBG reenactment, Street Fighter, Lip-syncing performances, singing and dancing performances. We even had a maid and butlers serving the VIPs and guests. It was really the most memorable moment to me.I'm proud of myself that I took the courage to be out of my comfort zone and have more confidence to be myself.
Our last week of the interim month, week 4, we had our matrix card. I did not expect a lot for my matrix card's photo except to just smile. It turns out that I look white-washed and intimidating instead but it's okay. I don't really mind at all.Says a person who complained about her matrix card's photo all night on that same day. Later, that week, on the last day of our interim month, we had our last event, Hi-Tea.In this event, we need to dress a lot of fancier. Our theme for the event was "Denim".Just a few days before the event, Azliana, Wawa, Farhah and I went to KL to shop for our clothes for the event. Since I'm from Miri, Sarawak, I'm unfamiliar with MRTs and LRTs.I've learned a lot on how to transit to places with the guidance of my friends. On the day of the event, I wore a red velvet blouse tugged-in a denim skirt, a nude shawl, and a red beret. On that day, all of us had so much fun, each department did their last performances for the interim month. The animation department did Dikir Barat with a little modern twist. Since the animation department could outnumber the stage, some of us had to only be the audiences and I was one of them. Even though I really wanted to participate in the performance, but I was still glad that I could cheer for my course mates who were performing.SMF did a video for us. It was really amusing yet emotional to me. I nearly cried by the end of the video. I am so glad to have such wonderful people to conduct us during our interim month. They have taught us a lot of things we didn't know and they were also really helpful throughout the whole month. They were like brothers and sisters.
The whole month truly changed me. I am so proud of myself that I've fulfilled my own promise; to be the best version of myself and to break out from my comfort zone. Each day of the interim month taught me a lot. From struggling to move my lips to share my ideas to courageously speak out my mind.From stepping out of the dorm room worrying about what I look like or what I'm wearing to confidently walk around campus with my favorite outfits. I won't be able to do all of this without the help of the beautiful souls that I've just met here, in UiTM Puncak Perdana.I've also learned that being passionate in doing what you truly love is important. Before I came here, I've already made up my mind that I need to pursue my passion. I've always wanted to be an animator specifically in the film industry. Back in secondary school days, a few months before SPM, I've posted a lot of animation illustrations on my desk as a motivation to study hard for SPM. I knew I have this creative side in me. It was really hard to convince my parents to let me pursue my passion as they were worried about my future but I've promised them I'll be the best animation film-maker in the future. Fortunately, as time goes by, they slowly accept me and my creative side. I am really grateful to have such supportive and loving parents.
I know it's hard but pursuing your passion should be the first thing to consider when you're choosing your life's path. Passion can be your daily motivation.I'm already in my first semester while writing this and I could truly tell every single person on this earth that no matter how exhausting or hard your day is, having assignments or projects being the same thing you're passionate in at the end of the day could eliminate the fatigues and hyped you instead.
It is okay to step in the risky path but it is totally wrong to be afraid of taking challenges as challenges make us learn.
It was around 5 p.m. when I said my goodbyes to my parents. Of course, I had to shed some tears especially when my parents will be on the other side of the country but I've consoled myself that I should be stronger and be more independent. As I was cluttering my new dorm room, Yaya my roommate, was the first one to approach me. She was quite friendly and made a good first impression of herself. To be honest, I am quite an introvert. So, our conversation was quite awkward at first. Nonetheless, she made me feel comfortable at the end. On the same day, I greet the rest of my housemates by exchanging self-introduction and gave them Kit Kats as what they would like to call it "charity work".The first day was quite exhausting to me especially with the last minute shopping, clutter, and a few night activities. Nonetheless, the day went just fine.
On the very next day, it was the day where I first truly bond with my housemates. We were told to clean our own houses and declutter one of the college's block. As my housemates and I were cleaning and tidying things up, the rest of us, slowly, starting to show our true colors. It was all started when one of my housemates played a song on her speaker. We were dancing and jumping like maniacs. I still remember one of them cleaning the toilet bowl with the toilet brush while following the music's rhythm and it made all of us laughed. Even though we were acting like lunatics, we still managed to finish our cleanings and discussed our shopping trip to Aeon Mall for the house necessities. I am really grateful to have such lovely housemates until to this day.
On the second week, these were the days where it was my first time making a short film for a programme called Celik Fikir. We were told o choose one topic and deliver the message through a short film. We were divided into several groups. There were 36 people in my group. At first, I was quite intimidated by my groupmates because most of my groupmates were all considered "famous".Fortunately, as we were introducing ourselves and discussed the short film, we work well together. At that very moment, I realized that I shouldn't judge a person until I talk to them myself. We were all inexperienced in making a short film but in the end, we managed to make a short film called "Bully".We had a rough start as our leader was picked randomly and he was not really confident about his way of directing. We've consoled him and supported him by giving him ideas. Eventually, he managed to lead us throughout the film-making sessions and got more confidence in him. In the end, our short film turned out great, especially with my groupmates' editing skills. We didn't win but we've learned a lot of things together and had fun throughout the film-making session.
On the third and the fourth day of the second week, we had our MDS Opening Ceremony. We were told that we were the first batch to have their MDS Opening Ceremony to be held at Uitm Puncak Perdana as the previous batches had theirs at Uitm Puncak Alam instead. The night before the Opening Ceremony day, we had rehearsals for the event. The event was managed by the Creative Industry Management's head of the center, Madam Aminah Rhapoor or often called as "Puan Ami". Puan Ami was quite intimidating at first but we've learned a lot about event management from her. Even though I'm from the Animation department, I believe that this knowledge would also be useful in the animation field. I really admired how detail and precise she was when managing the whole event. Hence, the stern look and the assertive personality of hers. I am also a detailed person.So.I've learned that I need to be more assertive and speak my mind out but still respect the personal boundaries of others.
The third week was to me, the highlight of my interim session. This is when I have truly stepped out of my comfort zone. It was during Cartoon Nite's preparation days. I was really excited about this very event because my friend, who is now a semester 2 student in the writing department once told me about Cartoon Nite long before I came here. Basically, it's an event where the animation department has to handle during the interim month and it's often related to "cosplaying" which I was really hyped for. During the Cartoon Nite's meeting, I've made a lot of new friends. I like that most of us had the same interests and we bonded really well. This is how I've met my close coursemates, Azliana, Wawa, Zack and Farhah. We were the firsts to volunteered in handling the props and the decorations for the Cartoon Nite. I also took the opportunity to challenge myself by conducting one of the Cartoon Nite's performances. It was called Street Fighter. I was quite scared to speak out my ideas for the show as I was shaking when I tried to explain it to them. Fortunately, everyone was supportive of me and showed interest. Even though we rehearsed for only in a span of two days, the Cartoon Nite went really well. We took the advice we've learned during the MDS Opening Ceremony and our Malam Bertatih event and practiced it on our Cartoon Nite. On the Cartoon Nite day, I was cosplaying as Coraline from the movie, "Coraline" since it's my favorite animation movie. It was my first time cosplaying. So, I was quite shy at first but I tried to be in character the whole day and just enjoy being Coraline. The event was really great and we've got complimented for our teamwork and creativity. There was a cosplay fashion show, PUBG reenactment, Street Fighter, Lip-syncing performances, singing and dancing performances. We even had a maid and butlers serving the VIPs and guests. It was really the most memorable moment to me.I'm proud of myself that I took the courage to be out of my comfort zone and have more confidence to be myself.
Our last week of the interim month, week 4, we had our matrix card. I did not expect a lot for my matrix card's photo except to just smile. It turns out that I look white-washed and intimidating instead but it's okay. I don't really mind at all.
The whole month truly changed me. I am so proud of myself that I've fulfilled my own promise; to be the best version of myself and to break out from my comfort zone. Each day of the interim month taught me a lot. From struggling to move my lips to share my ideas to courageously speak out my mind.From stepping out of the dorm room worrying about what I look like or what I'm wearing to confidently walk around campus with my favorite outfits. I won't be able to do all of this without the help of the beautiful souls that I've just met here, in UiTM Puncak Perdana.I've also learned that being passionate in doing what you truly love is important. Before I came here, I've already made up my mind that I need to pursue my passion. I've always wanted to be an animator specifically in the film industry. Back in secondary school days, a few months before SPM, I've posted a lot of animation illustrations on my desk as a motivation to study hard for SPM. I knew I have this creative side in me. It was really hard to convince my parents to let me pursue my passion as they were worried about my future but I've promised them I'll be the best animation film-maker in the future. Fortunately, as time goes by, they slowly accept me and my creative side. I am really grateful to have such supportive and loving parents.
It is okay to step in the risky path but it is totally wrong to be afraid of taking challenges as challenges make us learn.
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