I've got a four hour break today in between my classes and I choose to stay put in college instead of going back home because I still have an essay to complete which I've been putting off for awhile and also because I wouldn't like to waste RM3 for parking (students are charged per entry if we use parking coupons).

After coming back to college from the holidays, we've been introduced to the newly-renovated 'lecture rooms' over at Wisma Help, much to my displeasure. The college seem to be taking excessive measures to maximise profit at the expense of students' comfort. The rooms are more similar to minimal storage compartments than proper lecture teaters. With chairs so closely set together we practically have to push our way through the bland furniture and elbows grazing over other peoples' lecture notes, I sometimes can't help but feel slightly claustrophobic. The good thing is that not all classes are as small, we still have a few bigger rooms for some of our lectures (I believe these remain untouched because the college needs them to double up as exam halls. They just remove the partitions. Another example of the extent of their cheapness.)

...

I remember complaining, a few days ago, to Johan or Burn about the lack of etiquette in many Malaysian men. Chivalry here seems to be more dead and dearth than the dry, desolute dunes of the distanced desert. Perhaps to be fair, I will limit the scope to many malaysian 'young adult boys' because when they grow up, some sort of maturity seems to settle in. Again, im being very general and do not mean to offend. I'm aware that out there somewhere, is a significant number of other courteous men. I just haven't met many of them yet. Especially where I live.

How many strangers help to open doors for you? how many men offer to help carry a heavy load? how many of them offer older women their seats in a bus? How many men let a woman through up the bus or lift instead of shoving themselves in first? In Malaysia? Not so many.
I'm aware of the 'uprising of the feminine movement - the modern liberated woman' but a bit of courtesy here and there would be appreciated.

This morning when I went to college, the rickety shuttle bus between blocks was full again. We swarmed inside, overcrowding it. The ones that didn't get seats stood, gripping the handbars above so as not to be flung as the bus swerved here and there. Barely enough space was left, packed as tightly as was possible, ignoring road regulations. The ones that didn't get seats, that were not able to stand in the bus, the ones that could not cram themselves into the minuscule space between the other bodies and the door were left behind, to wait for the next shuttle. Risking being late for class.

I had to stand with people in front, behind and to my sides. When the bus reached it's stop, one of the students lost his balance and as he tried to regain it, accidentally brushed me. An apology was voiced out and I looked back with a swift smile and said, 'it's OK'. Didn't really take note of him because this was a common problem with overcrowding, I've had my fair share of accidental shovings on my part as well.

Around us people were decending, again in the same unorganized manner. Students trying to get out as soon and as fast as they can. I head a voice behind me again, "You know, where I'm from, the men will stand and let the women through first". This wasn't said in a derogatory term, merely a very matter-of-fact noting. Intrigued, I turned around and replied, "Well, we're in Malaysia, we can't really expect that". He agreed, with a hint of a friendly smile in his face.

"Where are you from?"
"South Africa"
"Which part?"
"Cape Town"
"That's an amazing place, so I've heard"
"Yes, It's a beautiful city"

He didn't look particularly african, mixed perhaps? But I didn't want to ask about that.

So as I got down I was surprised to find that he was heading to my block as well and so I got to know that he grew up in a farm, and then moved here and there. That explained his strange accent, a mix between the african, australian and british way of talking. He looks, sounds, talks, and reminds me a lot of Faisal for some reason.

So we went our own way once we reached Wisma Help.

Allright that's my blog post on 'random meetings' for today.

*entries and conversation are written as I remember it, I can't really retain everything that has happened today so please excuse my sometimes mistaken recollections.