The statistics paper's over. Which marks the end of the June A levels Examinations for some juniors.

For the seniors, there's still a lot more to plough trough, particularly the Further Maths paper which is incidently the last paper of the whole exams. 11 June. D-Day.

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The college is alive with stories of the Student Dinner 2004. Concorde Shah Alam. 8.30 pm. 15 June. RM 50 (add RM 5 if you're following the air-conditioned busses from school). Tickets available at Dotco, every Sunday to Friday.

Well, to be honest, its not really a prom. But if people fancy it as such, it's fine by me. At the very least, that'll boost ticket sales. hehe. Yeah. There's even an offer. Two tickets for only double the price of one.

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We finally had our hearing with the Bursar and the IT Exec. Concerning the Internet condition. Here's a summary:

1) The cause of the net downtime is (according to them) that the underground cables were unfit for external use. When they are exposed to the elements (Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether. If you're into ancient alchemy.) they become spoilt. Besides that its the oh-so-not-reliable hubs.

3) A team of IT experts will conduct a feasability study in our college for the switch to a wireless networking system.

2) The Bursarman has put up a proposal to have a new network system installed by the next semester. The project is expected to cost RM 350 000.

3) There will be a new IT committee meeting which will comprise of the two Welfare Excos (from the SC), a Computer Club member, a teacher from the Computing Department and it will be chaired by the IT Exec herself.

4) Our college website is expected to be up by, well soon. No dates were set, as the Board of Governers have yet to select the (best? and) lowest bidder for the project. All in the name of transparency and accountability.

5) The chalet computers will be upgraded next year.

Not bad for a first meeting. Now we're getting somewhere.

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On a side note, the MPH is again temporarily off-limits as it is currently under repair (having finished its upgrade two weeks ago.)

The root of the problem it seems is the not-quite-a-hairline crack under the new expensive soft rubbery floors. Apparently the contractors didn't do a very good job on the foundation. Luckily the thing's still under warranty. Still, it is quite a shame as we were getting used to the impact-absorbing international standard mats.

Oh, well.

Exam fever is running high. Have you caught it ?

The symptoms of severe infection (nerdius alevelingitis) include headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, and paralysis. It is estimated that approximately 1 in 150 persons infected with the virus will develop a more severe form of disease. Symptoms will generally last a few papers, although even some healthy people report having been sick for the whole exam month. Symptoms of severe disease may last several weeks, although neurological effects may be permanent.

Confused ? Go see the Matron or a Medic student near you.

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Dr Ikmal has been visiting the college quite often as of late. Word has it that he's not too happy about the pool and internet (or lack thereof).

Well, its ABOUT TIME.

Its been going on for ages. (The net at least.) The last time I brought it up with Puan Rog (The fact that some students complain that the sponsors paid for the pool and internet and they're not getting their money's worth) she fired back with a "Then I will tell the sponsors that these students have not been performing." Pretty mature reply eh?

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Speaking of firing, TERAS, the company that was supposed to set up our elearning system has gotten the boot. The college reportedly spent RM 30,000 on the project and its all down the drain.

Hah. ha-ha!

This isn't the first time the college has flushed large amounts of money down the toilet. But no one dares to question these things, especially not the teachers. Any noise coming from them that displeases the Admin, they'll be sent packing come contract renewal time.

A teacher shared his view on the Internet condition today. According to him, the IT Exec is being scrutinized for her work performance. It is said that her leave-taking is ranked amongst the highest in the college. Minimum 30 days a year, he said. I can't confirm this, but personally I wouldn't be surprised. Just hang around her office and you will hear mp3's blaring (maybe its just an IT thing.) and she'll be chatting away on messenger. And lets not forget her hourly morning breaks, from 9 to 10 am in the cafe.

The teacher attributed her work performance to the fact that she isn't married. He said, "Back in India, when a female elephant grows older, she must be paired of with a male elephant, otherwise she'll become crazy and cause trouble." Perhaps there is some truth in the wise sayings of ancient India.

He was joking of course. (or was he?)

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Alright folks. Enough with the surfing. Get back to your books. Now!

Semester Exams are over! woo.

A levels has started, with History paper being history! Last wednesday! Lets hope History won't live up to its name and repeats! Haha LoL! a pun! a pun! *snort*

heh. Too cheerful for my own good.

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Something I've always wanted to discuss : Birthdays.
It seems a tradition in boarding schools everywhere (correct me if I'm wrong) to seriously give the birthday person the royal treatment (usually with eggs, or flour or coke or all three.). An altogether delicious affair.

But its really great to be bombed (besides the cleaning-up part. But thank God we have the super efficient laundry service.) It makes you feel loved. It makes you feel accepted. And it ensures that the tradition is kept alive for you will surely return the favour to your friends when the time comes. Isn't life beautiful ?

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Moving on, the net hasn't shown any improvements over the past week or so. In fact, I have a feeling its getting worse. Despite all the promises made by the Big B. The Bursar, not Mr. B (who is the OTHER Big B. Oh there's also the IT Executive who's the third Big B. But her B stands for something far more insulting.)

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The IELTS writing, reading, listening mocks were today. The MUET speaking is next week. A level exams are till next month. The net problem will be fixed like, never. Optimistic aren't we?

Good luck and God bless.

Our college is six. SIX!
The birthday bash was on saturday night and turnout was superb. It wasn't surprising because we withheld their dinner and only served it at 8 as part of the birthday celebrations. Cunning, aren't we? ;)

Jokes aside, I think people really enjoyed themselves that night. Saad square was just alive with people. And not to forget tha bands, especially the Seniors Ensemble who really captivated us that night. I think its because they're about to leave, that they start to miss this place already. The love that they have for the college, its infectious.

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The food wasn't bad, but that wasn't the point of the whole fiesta. It was to celebrate this college, now six, reputable for its high achievers and well-rounded students.

To quote the little movie for the occasion (every college activity warrants a movie nowadays, thanks to last year's SC and Tree-Studio), "The College by itself is just a building. Our teachers, our friends: We make it come alive."

The footage showed pictures of the school from 1997 when it was still under construction. It all began as Tan Sri Wira Halim Saad's tribute to his father. So much love from a son.

Then the scenes changed by the years. Our extablishment as Kolej Matrikulasi Yayasan Saad in 1998, then to Kolej Matrikulasi Yayasan Satu in 2001. Now we're Kolej Yayasan UEM. With a new logo to boot.

I think whatever we're called, whomever pays our bills, the college really really belongs to the students. Past, present and future.

Its times like these that make me feel extra lucky to be studying here. *sigh*

4 groups. 3 days. 2 peaks. 1 heck of a journey.

Thus is the summary of the DoE Second Silver Expedition Training held last weekend.

Oh, and we're all pretty much back in our own respective singular pieces. Nothing much happened besides this being a much much easier route. Plus we hardly walked on the first day as the bus broke down on the way up. (This should've meant a longer route, but Mr. Hanson and gang were nice enough to chauffer us all the way to the campsite. Which in another stroke of bad luck, wasn't booked for us. So we camped on some nice patch of grass outside the main camp area.)

Nevertheless, it was much more fun than the last one. Yep, most definitely.

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The mock IELTS Speaking section starts this week, which means no English classes. Oh what joy!

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Everyone seems to be having parties nowadays. Marking the end of the semester. Marking their last formal club meeting. A chance for reconciliation. A chance for the juniors to say their final goodbyes to seniors. A chance to eat and be merry. For the exams are upon us.

Just today The Greenthumbers had their barbeque. And no it wasn't strictly vegeterian. I guess having planted all those vegetation, the last thing they'd do is eat them. heh.

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Speaking of parties, the Student Council is organizing a Teacher's Day Celebration tomorrow during assembly. We're expecting neat performances from some very very talented teachers and students (well, a least we hope they're talented!). Besides that, there will be a video presentation of excerpts from interviews with teachers. You'd be surprised at how the same english teachers who expect nothing short of a band 8 for the IELTS speaking test perform in spontaneity.

But we cut out most of the ugly bits as we wouldn't want to embarrass any teachers. Especially not on Teacher's Day.

heh.

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A curious little notice board was just put up the other day in front of the admin. The header read TENDERS . All the tenders that the school receives will be put up there I suppose. *Gasp* Could this actually be a move towards transparency? Hmm. Why all of a sudden? Could the Bursar actually be cracking under all that pressure. hah. ha-ha!

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