Stress exam itu normel.

Seems like everyone is busy preparing (or sitting already also can) for the exam. Random Skype messages, random texts received at 10 am (3 in the morning there) meaning that they are all staying up late to study. Emotional freaky status on Skype (not even Facebook yet). Semua pun stress. I'm freaked out myself.

Down here is also in the mood of exam. IB. Final sem exam. In short, everyone is soaking their brain with as many facts as possible, preparing for the exam.

Kalau chat pun dah takde yang nak layan, semua pun sikit3, okay Bella, nak study.

Good luck. All the best. May Allah be with you guys always.

"Stress exam itu normel."

Yours truly,
she-who-misses-the-idle-nights-during-exams

Stress yang tidak normel, jadi beginilah.

And this is for my sayang in US who does online shopping to cope with stress :P IMY.

Rhapsody #002 What are words if you really don't mean them when you say them.

What Are Words, Chris Medina

Are you just trying to be (a) polite (Malaysian)?

In case of nothing to say, SHUT UP.

You don't really want to talk to them, but you have to stay and make kind faces and respond to every word they say, because you can't make yourself say that you need to leave.

You compliment the food made by others simply because they say nice things about yours, when the fact is actually your taste bud can't function properly.

You tell them how you have been missing them all this while, just because they tell you they miss you, when the fact is actually their absence has never affected you that much.

Are we being too polite to the extent we change our own virtue, or are we just being civilized?

We, Malaysians are known for our politeness and courtesy.

"Hai kak, jemur kain?" (jiran sebelah rumah menegur jirannya yang sedang menjemur kain)

"Beli ikan kak? Rajin memasak nampak?" (kat pasar, terserempak dengan office-mate tengah pilih ikan)

"Eh, makan makan, sila3." (nampak member tengah makan kat cafe)

Orang cakap berbasa-basi. What we say to each other is actually what is obviously happening. Memang lah akak tu tengah beli ikan, nanti nak balik masak, takkan beli ikan lepas tu jual kat restoran suruh masak ikan tiga rasa pulak kot? Jemur kain pun dah terang3 sah, tambah lagi bila tengok orang tengah makan. Cakap pasal makan, kita sikit punya semangat "Eh, makan jum? Sila3." walhal dalam hati bukan nak ajak makan sangat pun. Sebab kalau member tu duduk makan sekali, angin jugak.

Ah, typical Malaysians.

But I don't think that's anything compared to those who actually 'tambah nasik' when people are talking about others. X is complaining about Y, and Z purposely adds things up.

X : Aku bengang betul lah dengan Y, cakap banyak, kerja tak jalan.

Z : Haah, betul3, hari tu pun cam tu gak, dia bla bla bla..

X : Oh, kau pun same ke? Huh, memang sah lah, cakap berapi bla bla..

Z : Eh kau tak tau ke satu department dah tau Y memang camtu bla bla..

Kan dah jadi sesi mengumpat. Walhal isu dia sikit je, X cuma nak meluahkan rasa tak puas hati kat Z. Kalau Z dengar je tak tambah nasik, kan settle. X puas hati, conversation ends there.

Why do they really have to tambah nasik? I have my own theory.

1. They have the same issues but couldn't voice it out. Once ada orang start, apa lagi, let go jugak lah.
2. They are trying to appear interested, being polite. Karang tak respon tak syok lah. Bosan.
3. They are trying to blend in. Imagine semua orang cakap pasal Y, takkan kau nak diam je?
4. They are being themselves - some people just like to talk bad about others. It makes them feel good.

Tak boleh ke kalau diam je, angguk3 sikit, dengar, then cakap, sabar3. Being a direct person myself, I wonder why is it so hard to confront someone you're having issues with. When someone come to me and complain how they're disturbed/bothered by someone else, I would (usually) ask, "Have you told them?"

But we, Malaysians (especially the majority ones) don't really practice directness. Sometimes being direct can lead you to unwanted catastrophic disaster. Being sacked, losing friends, for example.

Come to think of it, are they even your friends in the first place? You can't even be direct with them, they won't know how you feel. Is that how you describe friends?

But of course, there's no right or wrong here. I must admit, my directness sometimes causes uneasiness in others. Blending in pun satu isu. So agak3 lah. Whichever fits you best. Just don't lose yourself to others just for the sake of, you know, being polite.

When you're disturbed about something, and the urge to talk to others come, ask yourself, do you really want to let go what's inside and ease yourself, or you're just looking for some juicy gossips and find attention.

When someone come to you and whine about something/someone else, as you're about to reply, ask yourself,  do you really have an issue with that someone/something, or are you just trying to be polite and say bad things as well so that the person you're talking to feels better.

Are we trying to be so polite that we lost our own virtue?

Rhapsody #001 She used to set the sails of a thousand ships, was a force to be reckoned with.

Pearl, Katy Perry

Dear stranger, we were invincible, remember?

Feelings change. They fade. They leave. Feelings belong to people, and people walk away. That's what they do.

Life is a cycle. Once a stranger, the next minute they mean the world to you, the next next minute, they're gone. Back to where you were. Strangers.

Stage 1: Meeting

Can't we stay? As strangers? The safest option. We've been living without each other for all our lives. For all we can remember, without even knowing each others' name. Just when I meet you, nothing much, you're just another stranger, the same goes to you. But wait, there's something about you. You seem different. I'd like to know you better. If we stay as strangers, then we won't get to know each other. I won't know how fascinating you are. You won't know how amazing I can be for you.

Stage 2: The Chase

The fun part. Stomach, meet butterflies. Exciting, full of adrenaline rush. We are so young, we are too crazy in love. Yes, it's love, who could ever deny that? We were invincible. You want me, come get me. Endless phone calls and texts, sleepless nights on empty talks with deep laughs. Hide and seek. Peek a boo. I'll do whatever you do, you'll be wherever I am. You're so perfect, don't you have any weaknesses? It's impossible to resist each other. So why can't we stay at this stage when life feel so good? No, if we stay here, stop here, then you won't be mine. I won't be yours. That's not good because someone can easily snatch you away from me. You're precious, I can't simply lose you.

Stage 3: Honeymoon

Finally, you're mine. We're safe with each other. No one can ever break us apart. My secrets become your truth. Your plans become my future. As we learn deeper about each other, we reveal the parts of us that have been hidden all this time. We start to see each others' flaws, but hey, that's okay. Isn't love is about accepting each other? Let's stay here then. But wait, if we settle down here, where's the future? Life has been so beautiful, let's go through some hardships a little bit further. I know we can make it. We're invincible, remember?

Stage 4: Comfortable

Towards entering this stage, I'm so glad that I have someone like you. Someone I can pour my heart out without worrying if I'll be judged. My hair can go out of place, you'll still see me beautiful. You can live unshaved for two weeks, I won't mind the scratch on my cheeks. We're good. You can play online games 24 hours, I'm cool with that. I can go out shopping having fun with my girlfriends, you won't mind. Don't feel bad about not sparing enough time for each other. We know we love each other, we're good staying as who we are. But this comfort doesn't seem right. It's too flat, nothing much exciting. Let's find the 'butterflies' again, shall we?

Stage 5: Tolerance

Where art thou, butterflies? Why, everything feel so plain, so usual. Have you lost your charm, darling? I'm sure I'm still the same. Wait, what did you just say? That you've been putting up with me and I'm the one who changed? Okay that sure doesn't seem right. But honey, we'll let it pass. And you're tired as well, let's not make this a big deal. No one changed, we are just.. You know, being mature I guess? We've accepted each others' flaws in Stage 3 and it was fantastic, now let's just live with it. We're good. Just good.

Stage 6: Downhill

Arguments should be healthy since we are actually expressing what we feel, and we are seeking for the solutions, just in a 'bolder' way than discussion. We might as well find the way out faster! But why, it doesn't work that way. These arguments make us tired. We're worn out. We can scream and yell and shout, but still, where is it going? Silence hurts. It hurts more than harsh words. But look, we are doing both! We fight and argue and say things, then we go silent, isn't that double the pain? I'm aching, I know you are too. But we're too busy dressing our own wound till we forgot that we are both bleeding.

Stage 7: Breaking up

Since when we're better off on our own when we were so sure that we were INVINCIBLE? How could you be invincible without me? It's US who are INVINCIBLE. Not you, neither me! But it's for the better. We might not be invincible, but that's how human are made. To have feelings, to be broken, then get up again and fight. We can't always win. We aren't immortal. NOTHING LASTS FOREVER.

It all started when "it wasn't bad, but it wasn't great".

And then "someone stops trying".

We were INVINCIBLE, remember?

IB: Securing a place.

I heard that MARA has already released the shortlisted candidates for interviews which will be in someday next week. Do I get it right? Well, kalau salah pun, bukan I yang nak kena interview. Gelabah.

So here’s the thing. Getting shortlisted for interviews isn’t something to be so “alah, baru nak interview, belum tentu dapat”. It’s actually the very first step okay. Boleh bayang tak berapa ramai kat luar sana yang apply, academic gempak segala bagai, co-curriculum busy kalah menteri, tapi tak dapat interview? Sobs. Bersyukur lah kamu yang mendapat tawaran interview. Alhamdulillahhh.

Attire.

Wear something nice. Yes, like, just nice. You don’t want to look so plain it bores the interviewers to sleep, like a baju kurung tudung selempang macam tu je, or kemeja dengan slack, done. At least pakai lah tie barang sekeping. Give the interviewers an impression that you’re highly motivated and eager to be interviewed. Like, whatever happens, happens. I’m going to do the interview session and I’m going to secure a place! Ceh ayat nak poyo je wahahah. Confident. And wearing suits like a blazer and stuff like that especially for girls seem poyo, but honestly to me, it shows professionalism. Tapi jangan lah sampai beli suit dua tiga ratus untuk interview 20 minit. Itu tindakan kurang bijak namanya. Baju kurung is a safe option, though. Wear light, but don’t afraid to go bold. I think something like a dark red shirt with a black suit shows how ‘bold’ you are. LOL okay ni dah masuk personal experience ni. Huh. Kesimpulannya, biar sedap mata memandang walaupun yang meng-interview bukanlah bakal mentua.

First impression.

Confident. Seriously. Is. The. Key. Believe it or not, the moment you open the interview room door, you will be assessed. Like how you walk, how you make eye contact, how you greet, how you shake hands, how you sit even! Take a deep breath before you go to the interview room. Jangan ketuk pintu macam tak makan nasik seminggu, cuak3, lepas tu jenguk ke dalam macam nak tengok dulu interviewer cun/handsome tak kalau tak aku nak cari panel lain. Apakah? Trick is, stand straight. Bow a bit once you see the interviewer inside the room. Give a nod, and SMILE. Muka jangan ketat ye adik3. And also, while shaking hands, make it firm. Salam kemas3, because from the way you salam, the interviewer can already know how you are. A loose handshake most probably means that you’re nervous. Very nervous that you’re having jelly hands and feet.  And don’t sit before the interviewers ask you to. Don’t cross your legs as well. And no leaning to the chair like nak landing kapal terbang boleh tak? Sit firm, be careful with your posture, make sure you sit, again, STRAIGHT. If you’re having a file with you, ask the interviewers if they would like to see your certs etc. Then hand them your documents. Be professional while at the same time keep smiling and NOT GRINNING. There you go. First part. Done.

Different interviewers, different interview experience.

Some interviewers prefer to play it calm and cool, while some others will try to get the best out of you. Ada jugak yang a bit psycho like my dad. He made people sing during interview boleh tak? But I guess MARA won’t do that (harap3 lah). You’re lucky if you’re interviewers are the type who keen to know and keep asking questions. If not, kalau dapat yang tanya lebih kurang sepatah dua, jangan pulak jawab sepatah dua lepas tu senyap tunggu dorang tanya lagi. Initiate. Elaborate. And kalau kena dengan interviewer yang bercakap tak habis3, and won’t let you talk, interrupt. IN A NICE POLITE WAY OF COURSE. Probably they want to see how you voice yourself. JANGAN SENYAP TUNGGU INTERVIEWER HABIS CAKAP LEPAS TU MASA PUN HABIS MACAM TU JE. Remember, the interview is all about you, not about the interviewers.

Frequently Asked Questions.

The best part. I was lucky to have panels yang sangat awesome. Two of them. They were very nice, so tak banyak hal lah. They didn’t ask about MARA organization neither much of medical stuff. Some of my friends were actually asked about MARA punya hierarchy which is like, FAIL kalau tanya I tssk. And be prepared. Have specific target. Like if you want to do Medicine in UK, tell the interviewer why UK. Why Medicine. LIKE FREAKING SERIOUSLY, HAVE THE ANSWERS TO ALL THAT. I was, unfortunately, not so prepared that time, I was more excited about going abroad than to do Medicine T_T So this was what happened.

...

Interviewer: If you’re given the choice, where do you want to go to study Medicine? Why?

Bella: I’m really looking forward to go to UK. They have among the best medical schools in the world, and I believe the experience gained from studying there will be very useful once I come back to serve my country.

Interviewer: So which medical schools you’re referring to, exactly?

Bella: Err. Sorry, I haven’t done any research on that yet, but currently I’m keeping my options open so that I can find the best medical school that fits me if I were given the opportunity to study there.

...

Kalau kau cakap awal3 kau nak pergi Queen’s University Belfast (ahem) sebab it’s in the Russell Group kan senang. Interviewer pun belum tentu tau Russell Group tu apa. Impressed, dude! Tak pun University of Leicester sebab it’s awarded University of The Year 2009 (bagi candidate basi lah HAHAH), kan seronok dengar. They might not know what exactly you’re talking about because mainly they’re from admin, not medical background, but at least you show that you have done your part by doing the research. Be focused and impress them!

source

Nak type pasal interview essay, plus ayat tipikal untuk cover bila interviewer tanya soalan yang taktau jawab, tapi dah penat membebel. Nanti3 lah sambung lagi.