Alumni Gathering '07

Note to self: I have got to start writing posts on time (on the date it happens) or else I'd have to write 2 to 3 in a day just to keep up:P

On 30th Dec '07, the Adni Alumni Association had an Alumni Gathering. Kak Nihlah says we're not officially alumni yet.. Not so sure when exactly that would be but as I said, you're automatically an alumni when you finish school.

Anyways, my batch was assigned to handle it. A few weeks before that, I sat down with my classmates and it was really cool having to talk with them again. I think it's our forte that we can hold activities and stuff, considering the type of people in the team, Iman, Fuddy, Yaya, Aki, Zana, Mo, Chwafu.. just to mention a few:) We know each other a lot, the strengths and weaknesses so it's easy to delegate duties.

To cut the long story short, we came up with the idea: Potluck + BBQ by a lake plus Tower Building activity. We had to discuss lots of things like the food and setup and logistics and everything. It wasn't that easy since we had to think them up from scratch. However, after around 2 hours, the agenda took shape and it was looking good:)

I was at Kampung when the Alumni General Meeting took place (which was the same day that our idea was proposed to the seniors). I heard that it took 6 hours long (SIX HOURS?!!) but our proposal was approved:) I didn't expect that we can ask the other batches to help out and bring some other stuffs; so it really lifted a lot of burden and made things easier for us:)

There weren't much problems except for the date and location at first (we thought at taman tasik titiwangsa on the 1st Jan. But then people would be busy and there would probably be gatherings at TTT due to the new year). In the end, we decided to do it at Janda Baik (ABC Training Resort). The biggest worry to me was that quite a few people told me they can't make it. At first I was really worried because then there won't be enough people. Some nights I didn't sleep because I was so anxious that so little people would turn up. Seriously, it was a big deal to me. Some days I felt that never in my life would I want to direct a program again! Hahaha.
My dad said that there are some things we can't control. If they come, they come. If not, then it's okay. We can just enjoy by ourselves:) Lol. Which made me feel a lot better.

The night before the real thing, Fuds, Iman, yaya and me slept over, just to get the things ready before the Alumni arrive. We slept at 1:30am, catching up on everything and playing taboo; had heart to heart talks and simply enjoying each other's presence:) We also prepared the agenda and everything and came up with a last minute energiser which was the Taa'ruf game; getting to know other people's names. We also had to make a lot of calls especially to OUR batch to make them all come. Ahaha. With coaxing and forcing and 'bribing'. Lol. So we got around 7 people to agree to come the next day!:D

So next morning, they arrived. Iman said they'd arrived at 9:30 as planned but I said it would be 11am (and I was right!). So they got there and we started of with The Blanket Game (also known as Quick Name Game) was actually played during Girl's Qiyam. I never expected that the boys would enjoy it too. In fact, I thought it would be so awkward to see our OWN seniors playing it. Though in the end, they were laughing with all their tactics and strategies that it got us all laughing too!

Next was the Team Building activity. Construct 2 meter poles ontop of each other, using rafia string. At first it was kinda slow (which was okay because when we did it at Rebutia, it was slow too:P) but later on, when everyone got used to it, it got faster and everyone knew their own roles. In the beginning, I guess everyone wasn't as serious as I expected. But at the end, it's like... the people whom you expect to take the lead automatically assume their roles (know what I mean?). So when we reached the 6th pole and was about to add the 7th, the tower started swaying and crumbled down. Well, more specifically, it snapped one of the connectors which broke (thankfully, Poknik -whom we borrowed it from- said we didn't have to replace it:D). Everyone started clapping which was the natural thing to do. Eventhough it fell, it was really awesome to see something we constructed so high up!:D

After that, had the BBQ and free time. Some seniors played taboo and after that played in the river:)

Anyways, huge thanks to my team for making this happen and being with me throughout; even though I was scared many times it wouldn't work out, they all reassured me. Thanks also to Kak Nihlah for comforting me (when I thought that the seniors would eat me up. Ahaha. I'm scared of the Alumni but after this Gathering, I guess it's okay now). Also thanks to everyone for coming! I guess it was really a nice number of people who turned up:) Just nice to play the Team Building Activity. Thanks also to the boys in my batch for turning up and joining the activities. It was really unexpected that you guys would come. But thanks a lot anyways:)

And to all those people who didn't come, you guys rugi!!! ahaha. Oh well, that's alright. I hope you guys can make it next time:) I had a really great time.

~nadhirah
twelve o nine ante meridiem
second january two thousand eight