(no subject)
Hey guys! It's been awhile since I updated, so today I'll update what happened in february and early march.
I've been out of touch with everyone. Family and friends alike.
I've been busy (as usual) but bear with me. this will be over by july... i hope. I've been shoved and pushed around a lot. Threatened and scold at. A lot of shit happened when you do programs. But hell would froze over first before i let it slid by as if nothing.
Lemme start from beginning.
I was in a program called 'Ummatic week', a programme that sole objective is about the Unity of the Ummah, a programme that has been around uia for 10 years and usually was the most anticipated program of the year. Usually.
But after UW 2007 was cancelled 2 days before the program supposed to be launched, even after 3 months preparing for it and without compensation whatsoever, the program has been infamous for its scandal. The program was supposed to be for the students, by the students. but it was taken away by the officers and worst, was poorly handled. UW 2008 was one of the worst UW ever seen in its history. it didn't help that the students, in response of cancelling UW 2007 and also for stealing the program away, boycotted the programme that year.
Now, to regain back it's glory (Yes, I'm being melodramatic), the program was given back to us students and was to be held in march 2009. My friend, Mahees, was the programme manager of UW 2009. I was offered to be in this programme by being the head of Special Task, but in the end, was not only the Head of Special task, but also the Head of multimedia. Yes, i was offered to be incharge of two bureau with 6 people working for me. The bureau was renamed to Creative art and design bureau.
Bear in mind, Usually UW committee needs 2 to 300 committee members, and 3 or more months to work on it.
We only had 65 people and only a month to prepare.
To make it easier for us, our budget was (more or less) RM150k (my bureau got RM15k) and all officers from all branch inside UIA have to give us what we need to make it possible, no red tape involve. Because this programme is in collaboration with my cousin's office, the office of the deputy rector of student and alumni affairs. If officers gives us trouble (aka; being plain difficult like most officers are), they would be in trouble with one of the most powerful man in campus.
Not only that, we have direct orders from deputy rector to spend all the money given to us, and we also have RM20k ready for our 'Appreciation', whatever it may be.
I myself got rm2500 cash in my hand during that time and imagine my glee at the fact that i was ordered not to hold back when i went to shop for supplies needed for the programme.
A month of planning and meeting and taking action. A month of dealing with difficult people. A month dealing with miscommunication. A month of chasing down officers and making necessary orders. A month of having pain, stress and even shed some tears but yet, having fun.
A month come and go by and finally, Ummatic Week 2009 was here. it was hectic! Tears were shed, i kid you not, when someone botched up my decorations that was prepared for the stage for the opening. Alhamdulillah, all available committee all helped and we made it just before the opening.
The week went by almost peacefully, the keyword here is 'almost'. every night we have cultural performance where 5 different countries perform and of course, though we prepared early and even told the country reps to send in their songs hours before their performance, some countries think they owned us and send in their files only minutes before performing.
One country, went a bit overboard. when this particular country perform, we didn't know the file they gave us was not compatible with the player we were using, resulting the song to stop every few seconds when it was played. Though the performers and their manager were angry, they were mature about it.
5 minutes later, while a lucky draw was happening on stage, two people from that country (who are audiences) came up to us backstage and start cursing like a sailor and looked like ready to beat us up, accusing us of intentionally making a fool out of his country. My committee, and friend, that was directly under my care was the target of this onslaught. I held my ground i told him to back off and while the girls were evacuated from the scene (excluding myself and my friend), the guys were protecting my friend and I from these two guys by making a human barrier.
Not a minute into this fight, i knew things are getting messy the moment my friend broke down. I took her and fled the scene, only to my horror that the two guys tried to follow us, still cursing. when they start to calling us bitch, i shout at the top of my lung to watch his language. The stupified look on the guys face to see a malay girl (in their general perspective of malay girls is that we are docile people) shout back at them was the highlight of my night. While running with my friend back to out Operation room, I found Mahees (the Programme manager) I told him to go to backstage and he did. Once inside the room, we locked the doors.
I spent the rest of the cultural performance consoling my friend and I sent my assistant went to check things and report back to me. Apparently, they almost punch Mahees in the face and we were forced to call the security.
The next day, security was to be on stand-by at all times behind stage.
My committees that worked under me were all wonderful people. I hardly need to do anything as they handled every job i gave them and do so independantly. The only thing i got to do left was to ensure their safety, and make sure no other head bureau bully them.
For one whole week, my living expenses were paid for by the university. I was getting free food everyday for every meal. I get free internet access 24/7. I was sleeping in the OR for that one whole week, just so i won't miss the crazy stuff that always happened every night.
For the first time in my life when doing conducting a programme I was called a racist, bitch and whatnot infront of my face. First time felt my safety was threatened. First time I had a gastric pain and was ready to throw up due to stress.
All because of the programme.
And in the end, it was all worth it. The Rector was impressed and the deputy rector (who is my cousing by the way) personally told me that we did a great job. in fact, we were surprised to find that students think it was the best UW ever.
Now all we had to do is looking forward for our RM20k appreciation. Imagine my joy when i heard we will have a fancy dinner that THE KL tower revolving Restaurant. I was already thinking of what outfit to wear and whatnot.
But when I was discussing about the certificates (it's my job to make them), i was told that the appreciation would just be a Luncheon inside UIA. Never i felt like crying over things like this in my life. When I told mahees about it, he came and clarified it himself, and the preparation was already on its way and there's nothing he could do. Even he was upset.
In fact, I was so upset, I went whining to my cousin about how I felt cheated and lied to by the officers. He asked me what on earth am I talking about and had to explain everything that the officer told me, and in the end, I asked him what food could they buy that is equivalent to RM20k??? My cousin claimed that he didn't know and i left it at that and talked about other things (like how is my studies for the finals and am i able to converse in arabic yet).
The next day, when Mahees send the secretary of the programme to confirm where and when the luncheon is so that she could send out the message, we reeived news that the appreciation luncheon was not confirmed and the said officer was not happy at all. Apparently, someone from the higher up gave a call. ;)
It was underhanded, yes. but i'll be damned if i let them treat us like that. You cheat on me, I'll get you in trouble, as easy as that.
This is the a third of the committee. Too bad i was out getting the hampers we ordered during this.
Well, that's it for the whole month i was missing. And pray that they give us an appreciation that we deserve!
I've been out of touch with everyone. Family and friends alike.
I've been busy (as usual) but bear with me. this will be over by july... i hope. I've been shoved and pushed around a lot. Threatened and scold at. A lot of shit happened when you do programs. But hell would froze over first before i let it slid by as if nothing.
Lemme start from beginning.
I was in a program called 'Ummatic week', a programme that sole objective is about the Unity of the Ummah, a programme that has been around uia for 10 years and usually was the most anticipated program of the year. Usually.
But after UW 2007 was cancelled 2 days before the program supposed to be launched, even after 3 months preparing for it and without compensation whatsoever, the program has been infamous for its scandal. The program was supposed to be for the students, by the students. but it was taken away by the officers and worst, was poorly handled. UW 2008 was one of the worst UW ever seen in its history. it didn't help that the students, in response of cancelling UW 2007 and also for stealing the program away, boycotted the programme that year.
Now, to regain back it's glory (Yes, I'm being melodramatic), the program was given back to us students and was to be held in march 2009. My friend, Mahees, was the programme manager of UW 2009. I was offered to be in this programme by being the head of Special Task, but in the end, was not only the Head of Special task, but also the Head of multimedia. Yes, i was offered to be incharge of two bureau with 6 people working for me. The bureau was renamed to Creative art and design bureau.
Bear in mind, Usually UW committee needs 2 to 300 committee members, and 3 or more months to work on it.
We only had 65 people and only a month to prepare.
To make it easier for us, our budget was (more or less) RM150k (my bureau got RM15k) and all officers from all branch inside UIA have to give us what we need to make it possible, no red tape involve. Because this programme is in collaboration with my cousin's office, the office of the deputy rector of student and alumni affairs. If officers gives us trouble (aka; being plain difficult like most officers are), they would be in trouble with one of the most powerful man in campus.
Not only that, we have direct orders from deputy rector to spend all the money given to us, and we also have RM20k ready for our 'Appreciation', whatever it may be.
I myself got rm2500 cash in my hand during that time and imagine my glee at the fact that i was ordered not to hold back when i went to shop for supplies needed for the programme.
A month of planning and meeting and taking action. A month of dealing with difficult people. A month dealing with miscommunication. A month of chasing down officers and making necessary orders. A month of having pain, stress and even shed some tears but yet, having fun.
A month come and go by and finally, Ummatic Week 2009 was here. it was hectic! Tears were shed, i kid you not, when someone botched up my decorations that was prepared for the stage for the opening. Alhamdulillah, all available committee all helped and we made it just before the opening.
The week went by almost peacefully, the keyword here is 'almost'. every night we have cultural performance where 5 different countries perform and of course, though we prepared early and even told the country reps to send in their songs hours before their performance, some countries think they owned us and send in their files only minutes before performing.
One country, went a bit overboard. when this particular country perform, we didn't know the file they gave us was not compatible with the player we were using, resulting the song to stop every few seconds when it was played. Though the performers and their manager were angry, they were mature about it.
5 minutes later, while a lucky draw was happening on stage, two people from that country (who are audiences) came up to us backstage and start cursing like a sailor and looked like ready to beat us up, accusing us of intentionally making a fool out of his country. My committee, and friend, that was directly under my care was the target of this onslaught. I held my ground i told him to back off and while the girls were evacuated from the scene (excluding myself and my friend), the guys were protecting my friend and I from these two guys by making a human barrier.
Not a minute into this fight, i knew things are getting messy the moment my friend broke down. I took her and fled the scene, only to my horror that the two guys tried to follow us, still cursing. when they start to calling us bitch, i shout at the top of my lung to watch his language. The stupified look on the guys face to see a malay girl (in their general perspective of malay girls is that we are docile people) shout back at them was the highlight of my night. While running with my friend back to out Operation room, I found Mahees (the Programme manager) I told him to go to backstage and he did. Once inside the room, we locked the doors.
I spent the rest of the cultural performance consoling my friend and I sent my assistant went to check things and report back to me. Apparently, they almost punch Mahees in the face and we were forced to call the security.
The next day, security was to be on stand-by at all times behind stage.
My committees that worked under me were all wonderful people. I hardly need to do anything as they handled every job i gave them and do so independantly. The only thing i got to do left was to ensure their safety, and make sure no other head bureau bully them.
For one whole week, my living expenses were paid for by the university. I was getting free food everyday for every meal. I get free internet access 24/7. I was sleeping in the OR for that one whole week, just so i won't miss the crazy stuff that always happened every night.
For the first time in my life when doing conducting a programme I was called a racist, bitch and whatnot infront of my face. First time felt my safety was threatened. First time I had a gastric pain and was ready to throw up due to stress.
All because of the programme.
And in the end, it was all worth it. The Rector was impressed and the deputy rector (who is my cousing by the way) personally told me that we did a great job. in fact, we were surprised to find that students think it was the best UW ever.
Now all we had to do is looking forward for our RM20k appreciation. Imagine my joy when i heard we will have a fancy dinner that THE KL tower revolving Restaurant. I was already thinking of what outfit to wear and whatnot.
But when I was discussing about the certificates (it's my job to make them), i was told that the appreciation would just be a Luncheon inside UIA. Never i felt like crying over things like this in my life. When I told mahees about it, he came and clarified it himself, and the preparation was already on its way and there's nothing he could do. Even he was upset.
In fact, I was so upset, I went whining to my cousin about how I felt cheated and lied to by the officers. He asked me what on earth am I talking about and had to explain everything that the officer told me, and in the end, I asked him what food could they buy that is equivalent to RM20k??? My cousin claimed that he didn't know and i left it at that and talked about other things (like how is my studies for the finals and am i able to converse in arabic yet).
The next day, when Mahees send the secretary of the programme to confirm where and when the luncheon is so that she could send out the message, we reeived news that the appreciation luncheon was not confirmed and the said officer was not happy at all. Apparently, someone from the higher up gave a call. ;)
It was underhanded, yes. but i'll be damned if i let them treat us like that. You cheat on me, I'll get you in trouble, as easy as that.
This is the a third of the committee. Too bad i was out getting the hampers we ordered during this.
Well, that's it for the whole month i was missing. And pray that they give us an appreciation that we deserve!