The No Ringgit Traveler

Today, my second session at University of Auckland.

Oh yeah, in case I forgot and in fact I forgot, I enrolled myself at Auckland University short course in Creative Writing. Motive? To write creatively. I doubt it will happen.

So last week Tuesday, 9 Sept was my first class. I was in a car waiting for the class time while eating my kebab for buka puasa. Seriously, studying after hour (working hour) is a pain in the ass. Here's why. I finished work at 430pm and I got 2 hours to dispose before the class start. These 2 hours sounds like, you can spend it without even realising it. But when you fasting, these 2 hours can be torturing. What more you are at the last few hours of your fasting and you energy run low. I tell you, i was dragging my legs around town for window shopping to spend those 2 hours.

I refused to hang out at library. With my almost empty stomache, I couldn't picture my stomache making loud sound breaking the silent. I don't want people to stair at me and having the thought I'm starving myself to look like Paris Hilton or worse think that I am a malnurish and broke Asian. Oh poor me.

Anyway at about 6ish just before the class start i walked in the building. It was dark with several lights were on. It's early spring and day time still shorter than night. Outside, the trees that line the street gave me a spook. With only trunk and branches with the absent of leave, the silhoutte of tree behind the street light really look like set in horror movie.

I was waiting for the lift then there was lady standing next to me. I don't bother to look at her. Not being sombong but just not into people. She got in the lift and she press the buttoned to 3rd floor. "Which floor?" She asked.

"Third", I said "are you attending creative writing?" I just don't want to have awkward moment in the lift.

She said yes and i told her it's been ages since the last time i did some studies and she also agreed with me. We talk while walking into the class. She did introduced her name but I just don't remember. I'm really bad at name. I almost forgot my father's name. Just kidding.

We sat next to each other. I looked around. It seemed like i was the only non-white there. There were 5 man and double the numbers are female students. They all looked aged. Some in their late 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. Suddenly i felt damn small.

Having the idea that English is my second lingo, am i up for this course. Creative writing, do i have the juice for english writing. Gosh, i felt small like the biji sawi. Seriously felt intimidated.

When everyone was there, the tutor wanted us to introduce ourself with these points- name, writing experience, and current reading.

"Hi, i'm Shahwaluddin Mat Rasul-"

"What was your name once again?

"Shahwaluddin"

"I'm sorry. How do i pronounced it?"

"SHAH-WA-LUD-DIN" Gosh. This is the reason why i hate my name. "But just call Ed. I was PR for ** and I've writing for the media back in Malaysia. Press Release and all that stuff. But i don't like corporate writing. The last book i read was Losing My Virginity by Richard Branson"

And since then I'm no longer below the radar. My name keep being called. I don't know why, since uni, lecturer or tutor always asked me in class. Was it because i have a nerdy look? I should blame my eyeglass then. Thanks to Ryan for exporting the red glass from Malaysia.

Then we have the writing exercise. We were asked to describe a street or hood (neighborhood) from a child perspective that witness and accident but not describing the accident. My brain could work that out. Apa taknya baru lepas buka puasa then pekena plak exercise yang very confusing. But i did indeed write mine. But it was suck caused it full of "but" in my sentence!

Then the other read theirs. I was like, omigod, they were freaking good man. the imagination is very vivid and being put into writing. Then this sudden urge in me, "in wanna be like that". I did not feel small though. Despite mine was completely terrible. I learn just by listening to their writing. Then i know how should i write the next time we have exercised like that.

Anyway today is my second class and i've been a noughty student. I didn't finish the reading that Craig (tutor) gave us. Shit. Nevermind. I won't participate in critical discussion of that Kundera work about Prague.

Hopefully i didn't not make fool of myself tonight. The only thought i have now is what to eat more than what to read.