Looking out of the window, a sense of calmness and peacefulness overwhelmed me. I can never get enough of the breathless view of the landscape laid right outside. An uphill path accompanied by trees by the road, with also sea gulls flying in the blue sky occasionally. Whenever there are sounds of bird chirping, I would just grab the binoculars that I purchased for Animal Behaviour module and just observe them through the window (Post-AnimalBehaviour Syndrome).
The end of my first university life is near, and to me, I think I had a fine breakthrough year. The aim coming to Exeter for me is to avoid main Malaysian gathering spots. I can gladly say that I am able to mix into different cultures now, such as learning and listening the accents of the locals, holding a conversation with them and also getting an idea of how different their lifestyles are as compared to the Malaysian life. Well, there is nothing that can be compared to home, and it's true enough. However, as much as I want to go back home, I would definitely like to stay here a bit longer and exposed myself to UK, vice versa. The main problem however, is that the world doesn't work that way. Summer beak lasts for about 3 months, but I will not have any accommodation here by then, and it would be a hassle to look for temporary accommodation.
Recently, I ran for the President position in Malaysian Society of University of Exeter. It was a gamble and a risky move for me as I could have ran for other positions first. However, in my opinion, there is no hope for the Malaysian Society here, activity-wise, unity-wise and I think it's funny how the past committee didn't ask for the feedback of the members about what we really want. Maybe this is the reason why there are actually Malaysians who didn't bat an eye on attending the HIGHLIGHT activities of the Malaysian society or even joining the Malaysian Society at all because it would be more just an one off event really. You might not see the people you meet until maybe a few months later.
It was a really frustrating issue for me, and I decided that I want to make a change, as I clearly see whether the problem lies. Before the AGM, I had a hot debate with the ex-President. I told her my plans and stuffs like that, which she rebuttal with a lot of hypothetical situations and some ridiculous questions which I think was fucking stupid. After that night, I was completely dumbfounded of the leader we had for the committee the last year and was just speechless. That approach of a president leading a society.. I completely lost all my respect for her, which probably does not matter now anyways.
During the AGM, my friends and seniors who supported me came and told me that my speech was decent. I do not really care about that to be fair. In my mind, I just wanted the person who is chosen to lead the society to actually make a change to the approach of the society. It's funny how during the President QnA session, seniors who seldom appeared in events were the ones who came out with lots of questions. To be honest, I do realize that those seniors were the one who segregate themselves from the group and don't really mix with other Malaysians except for themselves. Wow, typing until here, it just builds up my anger inside. It really is funny. Those that I had actually interacted were the humble part of the committee, and I really love them. But a committee with a lacklustre president who doesn't commit to the society is just a ship with a sleeping captain.
One of my friend did told me that my speech was a bit of a provocation, but I fail to agree with her. To me, I am just saying what I had seen and what I plan to improve on. I think that Words would not offend people personally, unless they realize they are the one who Did it and Deserved it. It's funny really.
Yes, I did not get elected at last, as expected. I find it laughable how our AGM gained an attendance of only around 50 people by sight and it was just amazing. Well, bless the newly elected president, who I had not ever SEEN before in any events in Malaysian Society. I did mentioned in my speech, it doesn't matter what experience, skills or management skills you have, if you don't commit yourself into the work, it's just going to be shit. He definitely had the experience according to his CV but hopefully he is committed enough to stick with his words and keep the society afloat. I was less impressed when one of my 2nd year seniors, also a 3rd year student in Exeter did not get elected. I think he will do an impressive job and was the only contestant that I had expected to lose to.
However, it was a great journey for me. It made me think a lot about how I can strategise, plan and improve something which is on the verge of breaking. Some of my friends running for the position also mentioned my name in part of the speech, which I felt really grateful. Yes, part of my name was mentioned as previously, I actually posted stuffs on the Malaysian Facebook Society, asking for dinner with Malaysians, asking for a game of basketball with Malaysians. From organizing those small socials, I managed to find people with common interest and to make friends with them. It was great, and it is clearly lacking in the society now.
Now, things are out of my hand, I would probably commit less time to the Malaysian Society depending on the events they plan. If it turns out to be the same, it would just prove again that Malaysian Society is all talk but no action.
Such rage. I just cannot contain it.
Jayden
