phaNtasmagoria: Nuances of Life

We were supposed to start out for EmArEsEm Gmnch at 6.15 am fr Londang. But I suddenly got bowel issue & Brenda got phone alarm issue :p So I went to fetch Brenda only 15 min later. Zila cringed the other day when I 1st decided to go at 6.30 am. Of course I had no idea how far it was from M. Tnh. I could only imagine based on the directions given. I should have included trundling lorries in my mind's eye also tho’… One thing that came true from that imagination was getting lost!

Once we realized we’d circled Tampin roundabout twice, we knew we had to ask for directions. We were trying to look for the signboard to Gemencheh & it’s nowhere to be seen around Tampin. I parked the car at the Pizza Hut in Tampin Square & Brenda went inside. I saw her from outside listening & nodding at the same time to one of the customer’s directions & gestures. It was 7.30 am. From the look of it, we’re going to miss the judges’ briefing that was scheduled at 7.45 am. & we were nowhere near Gemas yet, let alone Gemencheh!?

“Pity u didn’t come along… That guy that I asked just now was quite handsome you know!”, the 1st thing that Brenda said once she’s inside the car.

“Oh? Hehe…What was the direction?”. Yeah, I could see him from outside. I saw that he could see us too. Him helping you willingly with clear directions & reliable points that later got us on the right track (Alhamdulillah); THAT, was handsome.

It puzzled me to see quite a number of customers in Pizza Hut at the time?? “Why are they having breakfast in Pizza Hut?” It’s not like it’s the only place to get food there.

“They are the rich who could afford to do so, unlike us” Brenda said. We laughed…
No more worries. We later made our turn towards Johor Bharu. That was the turn that we didn’t know we need to take to later discover the route to Gemencheh.

“This place is so nice lah”, Brenda couldn’t stop saying as we reached Gmnch. I agreed as the area was green, peaceful, & cooling. It was still foggy later around the college at 10 am. We reached EmArEsEm Gmnch at 8.15 am & indeed we missed the briefing including the breakfast they had prepared for us. Luckily we already had our light bekal during the journey.
After a cup of coffee (never had I tasted such good black coffee!?) each to warm ourselves, we quickly followed Zila to the hall to meet with the other 2 judges. Honestly, the moment I saw Zila, I felt like my feet have just landed on UIA ground. *Still missing it…*

Anyway, the 2 senior judges; Mdm. Nora from YuAi(kecik)TeeEm Lendu (chief judge) & En. Rozy fr SMK TAR, Gemas. We also met Cathy, the amiable Drama coordinator, whom we learned earlier was Redza’s YuAi(kecik)TeeEm coursemate fr. Sarawak. The session went smoothly, tho’ there was an awkward moment after the 1st performance. I was trying to figure out the 1st marks when I felt sum1 patted my back. I turned & was pleasantly surprised to see another UIAn. It’s Idamadiha! We hugged & exchanged lil’ updates & suddenly it felt awkward as all eyes on us. We somehow understood as people know I was going to judge the drama grp from her school later. She later wished me well on the task & went back towards the audience.

After watching 3 performances, we stopped for morning break. While we were abt to drink our tea, I saw another familiar face entered the room. Well what do u know, it’s Zuridah! To tell u the truth, I couldn’t figure her full name in the beginning (sorry Zu ;p). We didn’t have that many classes together anyway back in UIA. But I remember her face all right! I remember also because she used to date one of my high skoolmates who was in IRK course then. Both Ida & Zu were certainly surprised to see me & how different I look from our univ years. We haven’t seen each other since graduation!
The same goes for Fazlin whom I met later in the evening after all the performances ended. Fazlin is teaching there also with Zila. Zila said whenever there’s conference involving mara, it will be like a reunion for a large number of x-BENL who apparently r teaching in mrsm. I learned that Zu is teaching in the same college as Eena, who is still on maternity leave after giving birth to a boy end of March. Congrats Eena & husband!

Pity I didn’t get to see Ida & Zu before Brenda & I leave. But we both agree that we wouldn’t mind coming again next yr. Really Zila, don’t pay us anything! The opportunity given is priceless. & I do hope to be able 2 c more of x-BENL there ;) We learned & experienced a lot on this day, not to mention getting lost on our way there…?! Hehe…But watching all the students’ performed, 9 great drama performances in a day, was worth it! They all have potentials. Of course we have our favourite ones ;p We really hope one of the winners of this Southern Zone of the mrsm Language Week will win in the National category later!

We arrived back in Londang around 7 pm. We missed the ‘welcome to alor gajah’ turn that Cat taught Brenda earlier on. We really couldn’t find that big stone. Anyway, I didn’t mind as I felt like we were just cruising & it was quite pleasant while we had our chat along the way. Thanks Brenda for coming along :)

Dog tired… sleep… Zzz…