As I was on my way to the this morning, I caught a glimpse of the gleaming highway. Across the unlevel football field, over the outer fence and beyond a few trees, there it stood, the North-South Highway.

How beautiful it was.

And I was reminded of our mortality. Forgive my sad excuse for poetic musings, but don't you think it's oddly appropriate our college is situated right smack in the middle of nowhere, where the only way here is the highway and away from here is also trough the highway.

So the highway is kind of like life. The Highway of Life. Our college is just another pit stop along the grand road. Soon the seniors will make their way out. To continue on their journey. Make more stops along the way.

They will find that they will have to leave so many things behind. So much to miss. Too many to name.

To quote Tolkien, "The road goes ever on".

But we are not alone; there will be other people on the highway, going one way or the other. And it will certainly be hard for us to get lost; the highway is illuminated by electric stars and signs. They are our guide, but they only light our way. Should we choose to follow it, is entirely up to us.

Don't be too reckless on the highways. Accidents won't just harm you, they will also inconvenience others around you. Don't be too careful either. You may not be able to reach your destination before you run out of gas.

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And as I was on my way back, I took one last look at the horizon. The first streaks of light were shining trough and I knew that soon the college will receive young eager faces and here our paths will meet.

The semester is wrapping up neatly. The seniors are enjoying their final week, ending it with a host of celebrations : The College Dinner (the one held in college), The Students' Dinner (the one held at Concorde Shah Alam) and finally The Awards Day (aka Graduation).

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As for the Juniors, we are celebrating too. To mark our survival of one-heck-of-a-year in KYUEM. We're also celebrating a transition to become Seniors. Finally.

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The College Dinner (Dinnertime, Monday, 14th June) will be themed Euro 2004. What's that? Click here to find out more! Heh. That means you go there dressed as a footballer, you know, jersey, jockstrap and whatever else footballers wear.

There are lots of prizes to be won, from t-shirts to footballs to souveniers! (and all original!)

Not that I'm trying to advertise the event, but if you're thinking of going back this weekend, do consider coming back by next Monday. Wouldn't want to miss out on the fun, right? RIGHT ? ;)

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The Student Dinner 2004 now has roughly 230 people going and counting. Tickets are still available, but probably only until the end of the week, so hurry!

I do realise that some people still question why we can't combine the two events (college and student dinner) since they have the same aim (to celebrate the memories, together).

Well, they did use to hold the college dinner outside, where everything was paid for (I think). Until they realised it cost too much, the staff were even charging the college for their transport (toll, petrol et al). So in the tradition of the great dictators, Mr Morris decreed that it should be held in college, and if the students want to partay outside, they would have to cough up their own funds.

Even when Mr Morris is no longer here, the cost of an outside dinner is still pretty dear.

And that is why you have to pay RM 55 for the Annual Dinner tickets. :)

But think about it RM 55 = Good food, Great Place and Gosh!, its OAG!

Don't miss out.

Pak Ali has left the college.
One of the most prominent figures of the college (prominence based on the number of songs dedicated to them. Again, we have the Bataks to thank for). His contract ended and he didn't bother to renew it.

Oh Pak Ali. We are going to miss your little yellow post-its on our chalet doors, your gruff greetings of "Hello, hello! Ni aperr chalet bersepah ni", your careful measuring of our hairs during assembly.

There's no one quite like you. No one can scold us like you do. And arguably no one we take pleasure poking fun at (endearingly) more than you.

We know that under that tough no-nonsense exterior, you're really one of us. The things we do, the pranks we pull, the racket we make. We know deep down, you don't really mind. Because you are one of us.

You will be sorely missed.

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It's funny that they never announce anyone's going in this place. When Mr Evans left, there was no news, no notices, no farewells, nothing. One day he was there, and the next he was gone. He just left.

Similarly with Pak Ali. Most people still haven't a clue.

Maybe he was just eager on being rid of us. heh.
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Along with Pak Ali went the Old Pak Guards of the college. Now we have a bunch of New Pak Guards. Most of them are yound enough to be called Abang Guards. While the Old Pak Guards have always been very lenient (about us walking about in the early ours of the morning for example) these newbies seem a tad too enthusiastic with their jobs. But its still too early to say.

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Changes. Changes. Changes. A prelude to the Senior's graduation (and eventual passing into the realms of tertiary education) ?

"Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to better." -- Samuel Johnson