Anticipation Awaits...

...not just for the new undergrads student who will be coming to Universiti Sains Malaysia in less than 12 hours but for me too because it means loads of photo opportunities. I missed my chance of taking decent pictures in my own orientation week and subsequent year of being PPMS because I only had a crappy VGA camera phone back then. This is the chance to go around taking random pictures here and there. There will be a lot of traffic around the campus road from all direction, a lot of hapless, innocent fresh-faced student dragging their luggage and belongings (I can almost guarantee that there will girls that brought along their teddy bear.), eager parents (and sometime, the WHOLE family) who will help out their precious children besides pestering the officers and PPSL with whatever random questions that they can think off and of course, the PPSLs, running around here and there directing crowd to where they should be under the hot sun with their jacket on. It will be erratic, it will bustling, it will be EXCITING. Which means photo chance from my lookout point aka my room as well as going around campus!

Meanwhile, preparation has been going on as well and I bet the PPSLs gathered in respective operation room over their Desa to plan out for their D-Day. I can remember those late night post-mortem meetings even though it's already 3 years ago. Time flies so fast it's unbelievable. This post's about me going on extended campus go around just to check out like a paparazzi I am, extending my tour over to Bukit Gambir gate!

Went out of my room at 6pm in the evening because I went to nap a tadbit too late and my body refuse to shut itself down. I will never be able to nap after 5pm. Worth the walking trip though because the weather was great with breeze and the sky is so blue even the moon is visible. (See that tiny white spot up there? That's not a smudge on your screen, that's the moon.)

Trail of clouds streaming through the sky. Looking at Bakti "Hilton". It's closed for renovation though so don't worry about getting really old block for Bakti Student.

Made a turn towards Bukit Gambir side. Fajar Harapan official banner UP.

It's not enough for the MPP chairman to has his own banners over the Fajar junction, his face is also plastered on another banner featuring himself (because he is a Fajar Harapan-ian) as well as the chairman of FH Residents Council/MPD. You really want people to know you, aren't you.

I have always wondered what exactly is this gizmo planted right beside the sidewalk over Fajar Harapan. Wireless Antennae? That's a bit to close to the ground isn't it.

Check around the back to see if there's any sign...and saw this warning sign instead. DON'T TOUCH THE WIRES because IT CAN KILL YOU. *dun dun dun*

Briefing area for parents.

Take a detour over School of Pharmacy. Official school banners.

More self-glorifying welcoming banners this time by the MPP member from School of Pharmacy.

Took the path located at the side of School of Pharmacy that links directly to Indah Kembara Cafe II. BTW, Cafe II has the cheapest nasi campur in USM because it's sponsored by PALAPES. This also means though that it's military gruel.

Went up to Indah Kembara Cafe I. Here's a different variety: professionally designed banner by Public Relation Office to promote USM top officers.

This is Padang Kawad Palapes. Expecting huge traffic for people going up to RST as well as to IK and Aman. Looming tall behind is Ivory Plaza, where the mamaks and bistro and kopitiams are.

Walking along the main road lining Padang Kawad to Bukit Gambir Gate and here's Kompleks Desasiswa Restu Saujana Tekun with Tekun standing majestically right beside the busy throughfare. It's connected through a pedestrian (not visible but over the right side of this picture.)

This is Bukit Gambir Gate with Stadium on the right...

...and Padang Kawad on the left. That large hall right there is Dewan Utama Pelajar or DUP. Usually used as exam halls.

Right at the junction at the right side of the road leading up to Stadium is the banners calling upon potential athletes to tryout and representing USM. I think there should be people entering USM using Saluran Atlet Sukan too with special scholarship and privileges.

On my way back into campus. Indah Kembara UP!

Tent for parents' briefing.

Slightly down the road over the right hand side is Aman Damai. Banners UP!

And as you can see in the middle over there, people are busy setting up banners. The office is right in the middle of this road on the right hand side for this perspective.

Banners promoting Sustainable Campus. All businesses in campus are directed not to use retail plastic bag and polystyrene lunch box automatically for customers to take away unless you wanna pay 20 cent extra and students are highly encouraged to bring reusable retail bags and own container if you want to take away your meal. (or the easiest option: dine in) It will be for your own good too since Penang Government has requested all businesses in Penang not to use retail plastic bags in all seven days (unless customer pays extra 20 cents) to reduce solid waste.

Made a right turn (left side is Bakti) and went past School of Mathematical Science. Official banners as well as MPP Face-Banners.

Went along the main road going up the hill. This is Dewan Tuanku Syed Putra (DTSP), the main convocation hall. Saw lorries and such cleaning up the clutters right in front of DTSP in the eleventh hours. Is it going to be ready in the end?

Opps. Face-Banners of MPP member from School of Arts, loopsided because of wind and the knot on the pole not tight enough thus making it sliding down. This area is Permatang Pelajar with School of Arts on the left and Dewan Budaya on the right. Definitely the most artistic part of the campus with sculptures, art exhibitions and recitals from time to time.

Turn left, walked along IPS/PHS New Wing and heads towards Cahaya Gemilang. Padang Senget the usual gathering ground for new students before heading any where! Still remember my first years and my term as PPMS.

Cahaya Gemilang Banners UP. Program Minggu Siswa Lestari is the official name dubbed by USM for Orientation Week. Every public university have different name for their orientation week.

That's one HUGE directional banner telling where is their office for registration. Unlike the pitiful A4 size paper wrapped in plastic used by Bakti Permai. At least they wrapped it in plastic to prevent rain. Whether these days is a lil uncertain.

Last but not least before wrapping up, quick reminders.

1.) For any parents worrying about their children's safety (such as ragging. Any adult who went to university ten to fifty years ago or recruited soldiers in army camp would definitely know what is ragging.), let me ensure you as a student of USM and PPMS (old name for PPSL) that we have eradicated such shameful practice for years now (while other universities occasionally still have those cases) and in fact the only threat (if any) for your children is BOREDOM because of all the briefings and official registration matters.

2) There will be WALKING but it's a good way to tour and get yourself familiar with the campus size. So ladies, no need to buy heels that's too high. Just a flat shoes will do. (and mind you, USM is among the SMALLEST of all veteran public universities. Try to walk in UPM or UUM. You will DIE.).

3.) Hostel is not a HOTEL or your own room back at home. We provided all the basic facilities (chair, study desk, cupboard, bed and ceiling fan with a broom, dust collector and dustbin in there. Kettle and microwave, sometimes water heater/cooler too. Cash operated washing machine if you are lazy to scrub.) and that's it. Just like any other hostel, there will be shared bathroom with cubicles for showers and toilet. Unless you boil the water yourself, do not expect hot water for bath. If there's any actual damage on the furniture and door, you can direct it to the management office but if you complain that the bed isn't comfortable enough (because your bed at is stuffed with feathers or something.), DEAL WITH IT.

4.) Check through all your documents and guidebook again, again and AGAIN. There's a checklist in the guidebook, use it to make sure you didn't miss any documents. Don't make life harder to yourself and don't make life harder for everybody else too. We have a schedule to follow so don't missed anything.

USM has a reputation for being liberal and doesn't meddle too much with student's own well being (for example: no late night curfew for going off-campus. Late night discussion over DK foyer anyone? PLUS we can go anywhere we want in campus because there's no internal gate UNLIKE other universities.) So please the least you can do is follow the very basic requirement and rule. The next three to four years of your life (especially for the main campus people) will be FANTASTIC. Enjoy!

Epilogue: Talking about AWESOME, check out today's Google Doodle.

It might just look like an ordinary tribute Google Doodle for Freddie Mercury...wait til you click on play and enjoy the RAINBOW and FLYING TIGERS!

 
DON'T STOP ME NOW! Happy 65th (Posthumous) birthday, Freddie Mercury! Meanwhile, PPSL, don't stop me from going around too this week! I come in peace!