Assalamualaikum and Hello,

Please pardon our long hiatus!  Catch up on our recent events here on our facebook page:  BSSMelb

Take care Friends,
BSSMelb 

BSSMelb 28th National Day Celebration

"Negaraku Brunei Darussalam"

Assalamualaikum and Hello everyone,

Happy 28th National Day "Negaraku Brunei Darussalam" !

To celebrate our 28th National Day, BSSMelb and our special guests would be most delighted if you would join us for this celebration.
Our Guest of Honour for the event is Yang Mulia Awangku Abdullah Bin Pengiran Haji Tengah, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Pengajian Tinggi), Ministry of Education. Our Guest of Honour will be accompanied by high officials of the Ministry of Education.

Early bird tickets will be sold until Thursday 1st of March 2012. The tickets cover entry and dinner.

For students around the Clayton vicinity, Izzat will be able to receive your payments at the Monash Clayton Campus on:
Tuesday 28th February 2012
Wednesday 29th February 2012
Thursday 1st March 2012

For students around the city, both Ummi and Kamy will be in the city to receive your payments after 5pm on:
Monday 27th February 2012
Tuesday 28th February 2012
Thursday 1st March 2012

Further details on the exact locations and times will be updated by this weekend.

Be sure to hurry as seats are limited! We look forward to seeing you soon.

Best Regards,
BSSMelb

Happy Chinese New Year!

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

BSSMelb would like to wish our friends celebrating Chinese New Year, a wonderful and prosperous year ahead.  We hope this year of the dragon also brings you much good health and peace.  

"The dragon is the most auspicious and powerful of the 12 signs of the zodiac, one associated with high energy and prosperity. It's also the only mythical creature in the Chinese astrological stable that includes horses, rats and pigs. This year is considered especially auspicious because it is the year of the water dragon, something that happens once every 60 years."

(CBCNews Canada)

how to find accommodation.

Hello all,

Hopefully everyone, having their holiday (or those, like me, who have to stay on and continue doing work :() are doing well! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!


So, as the new academic year (one of them that is, there is also a July intake) is approaching, new students will be coming into Melbourne. One of the most asked questions in our Facebook group is concerning accommodation. This post will focus solely on this so it can be referred to if anyone else asks about it.



Right, first time going away is hard. It is reasonable to panic but don't! There are a lot of options you can choose from in terms of accommodation;

1. Living with friends or family (that you actually know before you arrived in Melbourne)
2. Flat/House-sharing (where you share a place with other people looking for accommodation as well)
3. Living by yourself.

Also, please check your university's website for housing options. They will be able to provide a formal explanation on what to expect in terms of housing and rent. But if you have any doubts about the places they have suggested, please feel free to ask us. We might be able to give a more personal account of those places if one of us happens to have stayed at the said place.

There are a number of sites that you can check for houses.

for living by yourself or with your friends or family, there are real estate websites that lists down empty apartments (sometimes furnished/more often not) along with their prices so you will be able to choose between them.

some of those websites are:

http://www.realestate.com.au/rent

http://www.domain.com.au/?mode=rent

please make sure to search within Victoria - be it Melbourne, Caulfield, Carlton, Hawthorn, etc., depending on where you want to live. Most people choose to stay near their campus so transportation won't be that expensive. However, other people also choose to stay in the city (Melbourne) even when their campus is not based there because it has easier access to a variety of shops, entertainment and necessities.

To calculate the price per month for a 12 month lease is...

the price per week x 52 weeks (the weeks in one year) divided by 12 months.

so if the advertisement says that it is $600 per week, the calculation for one month's rent would be 600x52/12.

For house-sharing, there are a number of places you can check. Again, please check your university website's housing options as they might provide a flatshare system where you can find other people who are looking for housemates. For example, in RMIT (where i go), there is a housing site within the university website that allows me to check for those looking to share a place together.

Other places you can look for this is:

http://melbourne.gumtree.com.au/ (under flat share/house share)

Please be careful with these advertisements. Do not give any payments unless you have seen the place yourself and are sure that they are the actual tenants/owners of the place.

From personal experience, when i first got to Melbourne, I stayed at a hotel for a few days to give time for me to inspect for a place. Although this is a bit risky, rest assured, it can be done. Also, if you have friends or family staying in Melbourne, i'm sure they won't mind giving you shelter for a few days before you are able to get up on your feet (But please, ask first :P).

Anyway, that's all I can really think of at the moment. But any questions, please ask away on our Twitter or Facebook page.


Thanks!

Asean Student Games: JERSEYS

Assalamualaikum and Hello all!

I trust everyone has had a wonderful Hari Raya so far. InsyaAllah all that we have learnt especially kesabaran over Ramadhan, we will continue to practise everyday. What more with exams once again looming ahead of us.

Now to follow up on the Asean Student Games Futsal tournament. We have a confirmed team of eight players:
...
TEAM CAPTAIN
Ahmad Za'aim

Bismil Muhammad
Hj Shahrin
William Wainwright
Dominic Tang
Wafiy Fakhrul
Nazirol
Noh

As discussed with many of our BSSMelb friends already, we will be ordering JERSEYS for the futsal tournament. The jerseys will also be available for order to individuals not participating in the futsal tournament.

Last weekend, Izzat with the help of Bismil found a sports shop at Queen Vic market and enquiried as to the pricing and quality of jerseys.
We have been given a quote of approximately $36.00. The more jerseys ordered the lower the set-up fee will be and ultimately the final cost for each jersey. The jersey is yellow and black with the BSSMelb logo embroidered on the front. Your preferred number will be printed on the back of the jersey.

I have uploaded an image of the jersey to this blog post and the BSSMelb Facebook: BSSMelb Jerseys Event Wall. The new BSSMelb leaf logo which Naafi'ah Mahdi has kindly designed for us will be embroidered on the front of the jersey. Thanks again Peh!

If you are keen in placing an order for a jersey, please reply on the BSSMelb Facebook: BSSMelb Jerseys Event Wall with your preferred SIZE and NUMBER by TUESDAY 20th SEPTEMBER EVENING. Note that the jerseys are made according to men's sizing (S, M, L, XL, XXL and XXXL). If you require a womens size, please estimate a mens equivalent. Also if you require a size smaller then a men's small, please inform of us your Australian numbered sizing and we will enquire further if there are kids sizes that can accommodate you.

We really would appreciate everyone's cooperation in getting back to us by the said date as we will need to recalculate the set-up fee accordingly and inform everyone of the confirmed price. Payment must be RECEIVED by Friday Morning at the very latest, remembering that if opting for bank transfer that this may take up to 2 business days. We will be placing the order on Friday afternoon.


Thanks everyone!
BSSMelb


PS. For our friends who have given Izzat and myself your details already, please check on the event wall if all your details are correct. Please only message/reply if changes need to be made. If not we will assume the details posted are correct. 

BSSMelb celebrates Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2011 with The High Commission of Brunei Darussalam, Canberra, Australia

On Saturday, 03 September 2011 / 5 Syawal 1432, the Brunei Student Society Melbourne (BSSMelb) organised their annual Hari Raya Aidilfitri Celebration in Melbourne, Victoria supported by the High Commission of Brunei Darussalam in Canberra. Bruneian students from all across Victoria gathered for this festive occasion.

This year’s celebration was attended by the High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam to Australia, His Excellency Haji Adnan Bin Haji Mohd Ja’afar, who was the guest of honour for the function. His Excellency was accompanied by the Education Attache, Syed Rozman Bin Hj Syed Abd Rahim. Present at the function were upwards of 50 Bruneians which included Government Scholarship students, private students, in-service personnel as well as friends and families. The event was held at the house of the co-host, Awang Muhamad Fakhrul Anwar Bin Haji Abdul Wahab and his family.

The function which began shortly after the Asar prayer commenced with Takbir Raya followed by Doa Kesyukuran, led by the committee’s Religious Officer, Ahmad Za’aim Bin Haji Bagol. The Acting President, Kamaliah Saiful Rijal, then greeted the guests with a welcome speech and thanked the collaborative effort of the committee, the hosts, and also the High Commission of Brunei Darussalam for making the function possible. This was followed by a remark from the High Commissioner where he welcomed everyone and wished them a happy Hari Raya Aidilfitri. The High Commissioner reminded all students and in-service personnel to give priority to their studies as the nation relies on them to come home with greater knowledge useful to the nation. The High Commissioner also assured all Bruneians that the High Commission will always be available to assist in whatever way it can in their studies while in Australia.

There was an array of food and beverages provided during the function, dishes such as mee mamak goreng, barbeque chicken, daging rendang and sayur lodeh. Awang Muhamad Fakhrul’s family also had a barbeque going and a colourful variety of kueh-mueh served at every table.

A group photo concluded the day followed by a Doa Penutup. The committee aims to continue its commitment to the Bruneian community in Melbourne, especially to bring a bit of home to Bruneian students and families living overseas. BSSMelb will endeavour to maintain the relationship with all fellow Bruneians and to share the Bruneian culture with Melbournians in the hope of expanding the Brunei-Melbourne community.

Photo by Fitri Shah Hj Md Ali

Sambutan Hari Raya Aidilfitri 2011

Assalamualaikum and Hello,

Narrated Abu Huraira(r.a): The Prophet said:”… whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah’s rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari).

With the end of Ramadhan nearing, we are sad to see this blessed month leave us until the following year. The end of Ramadhan however marks the beginning of Syawal where we celebrate the conclusion of our fast and to express gratitude to Allah (swt).

The Brunei Student Society Melbourne (BSSMelb) committee would like to extend an invitation to all Bruneians to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri together.

Alhamdullilah this year, the event will be held at a Bruneian family's lovely home. We are most grateful of their kind gesture in welcoming us all to celebrate with them. In addition, we will be celebrating this festive event with officials of the High Commission of Brunei Darussalam as well.


 
The details of the event are as shown below:

DATE:          Saturday, 3rd September 2011

TIME:          3pm to 6pm

ADDRESS:  Number 2, Shorts Rd, Coburg North 3058.

DIRECTIONS
 
Tram:           No. 19 North Coburg, last stop.

Train:           Merlynston station, Upfield line (http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/assets/Maps/Routes/PDFs/15_CraigieburnUpfield.pdf). 




Hari Raya Aidilfitri is never short of delicious foods. Fortunately our host along with the High Commission of Brunei Darussalam have been kind enough in providing food and beverages. That said, we would also appreciate if you are to bring any food with you to complement the dishes that will be served on the day.



We look forward to seeing everyone very soon. InsyaAllah the event will keep us closer to home, especially for those of us celebrating away from the family. What better way to celebrate than with your BSSMelb family kan?

Wassalam.

 
Best Regards,
BSSMelb

BSSMelb Sungkai Ramai-Ramai

Assalamualaikum to all fellow Bruneian students here there and everywhere in Melbourne, Victoria!

Seeing as it is the holy fasting month of Ramadhan for all fellow Muslims, the Brunei Student Society Melbourne (BSSMelb) acting committee would like to invite fellow Bruneians and friends to gather for a Sungkai Ramai-Ramai event.

We recognise how much the fasting month means to all Bruneians here and would like to take this opportunity to observe this holy month together. First and foremost, fasting during the month of Ramadhan is one of the rukun-rukun Islam, or the five pillars of Islam. The significance of Ramadhan is also highlighted with the commemoration of the revelation of the Holy Qur’an. One of the most common practices during this month is Sembahyang Terawih.

Not only will BSSMelb be organizing a Potluck Sungkai event to reminisce of Ramadhan back home, but there will be a Sembahyang Berjemaah for Maghrib and Isya’ followed by Sembahyang Terawih held at the venue.

The details of the event are as follows:

Date: Saturday, 20th August 2011

Venue: Unit 121, 418 The Princeton on St Kilda Rd Melbourne

Time: Arrival of Guests 4:30pm – 5:00pm

Directions: Take any tram EXCEPT #1 or #8 on Swanston St
towards St Kilda Rd and alight at stop #22.

For as long as we can remember, Gerai Ramadhan annually attracts Bruneian families in preparation for their Sungkai. The scenes of the stalls, the smell of bbq food in the air, $1 food and beverages being sold everywhere, and especially kueh-mueh is sorely missed by all of us here. =(BSSMelb would be most grateful if you could join us to ramai-ramai bersungkai on this

Potluck event. As a reminder, please do bring a sejadah(s) okeh? Thanks!
Insya Allah, we hope to see everyone on Saturday.

Wassalam,

BSSMelb

Sembahyang Hajat and Doa Selamat

Assalamualaikum,

Dengan izin Tuhan Insya Allah, BSSMelb will be hosting an event for all the students who are facing their upcoming exams with a Sembahyang Hajat & Doa Selamat on Saturday, 28th of May 2011. This religious function will be held at the Melbourne West Mosque, Jeffcott Street at 4:45 pm and will be concluded with makan-makan after Sembahyang Isya’. We would most appreciate it if everyone can bring a bite to share, as this is a potluck event. We would also appreciate it if everyone could bring along with them their sejadah and kitab Yaasin. This event will be led by our Religious Officer, Ahmad Za’aim.

The tentative program for the event is as follows:-

1645 - Arrival of guests

1712 - Azan bagi fardhu Maghrib
- Sembahyang fardhu Maghrib
- Sembahyang Hajat berjemaah
- Baca surah Yaasin & Tahlil
- Lepak nunggu2 sembahyang yawww

1839 - Azan bagi fardhu Isya’
- Sembahyang fardhu Isya’
- Makan-makan
- Doa Penutup
- BERSURAI

Time	Saturday, May 28 · 5:00pm - 8:30pm
Location	Islamic Council Victoria 66-68 Jeffcott St West Melbourne 3003

All the best for everyone’s exam preparations and hope that pre-exam stress has not gotten the best of you guys yet! We hope to hear from everyone soon and Insya Allah we will see you on the 28th.

Wassalam.
BSSMelb

p.s. this event have been posted up on FB and for those of you who still have not yet join our group (BSSMelb) there, please do so as we would post up events and invite everyone from there to RSVP.

Have a good week! Hope to see most of you this weekend =)

Charity Futsal Tournament Outcome

  It is with great pleasure to announce that BSSMelb had successfully participated in 'Goal for Charity' futsal tournament held on the 29 April 2011 at Melbourne University hockey pitch.

  Our Futsal team consisted of  1) Safarul
                                               2) Zaim
                                               3) Humphrey
                                               4) Lai
                                               5) Aqilah
                                               6) Aaron
                                               7) Abg Osman
                                               8) Izzat
 
  Playing under the name 'As Budiman', the team didn't manage to progress into the semifinals but manage to give other teams a good game while providing their fan's with an amazing last game win to end  the day with cheers coming from their supporters as well as backing from the Singapore team who were fantastic with their support for the Brunei team.

  A big thank you goes out to our supporters, friends and special thanks goes out to BSSMelb current President "Kamaliah" for giving the go ahead from  BSSMelb  to sponsor the team with food and drinks for their games that day and Ummi for her help behind the scenes too!


S.I

Goal For Charity Futsal Tournament Details

Assalamualaikum and Hello all,

Tomorrow BSSMelbourne will take to the pitch, competing in the 'Goal For Charity' Futsal Tournament organised by the International Commerce Student Society (ICSS Melb Uni). This time around, the proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Withcott Soccer Club. Withcott is a humble township of approximately nine hundred people located in Southeast Queensland and had suffered severe damage during the floods in January.

We would appreciate tremendously, if you could spare a moment of your free time to come down and support us throughout the tournament!!!

Date: Friday 29th April 2011

Time: 9am to 4pm

Location: Melbourne University Hockey Pitch. Campus Map Reference: B 16 (see second map below)

How to get there:

via Swanston Street

Catch the number 16 tram on  Swanston St to the Melbourne University tram stop (Stop 1) and walk up to the Tin Alley entrance (Gate 1). Walk down Tin Alley and turn right towards the Hockey Pitch.

via Royal Parade

Catch the number 19 tram on Royal Parade and alight at Stop 12 on Morrah St., in front of Trinity College.  Take a left and walk down Tin Alley, the pitch will be on your left.

View Larger Map

Players please take note of the following details on the time and location of where we will meet tomorrow morning.  We have been advised to arrive early for registration purposes. 

Time: 8.30am 

Location: Hockey Pitch, as above

It is IMPERATIVE that you bring TWO jerseys: one BLACK and one RED

ICSS will be informing us of the game fixtures and other further details by tonight, of which we will relay to you ASAP via our blog.  

Hope to see you lot tomorrow!

Wassalam,

Kamaliah

BSSMelb Potluck Family Gathering

Assalamualaikum & Salam Sejahtera fellow Bruneians of Victoria,

Hope everyone is doing great in their first semester of 2011! As you all know, this weekend is the beginning of the long-awaited Easter break and I'm sure everyone is looking forward to taking a breather and chillax for a bit... SO!

Brunei Student Society Melbourne (BSSMelb) is having a Family Gathering this Saturday, 23rd April 2011 hosted by Ketua Kampung of Caulfie...ld East, Abg Idris and Ka Rospah. This is just a casual, informal potluck lunch as well as a joint birthday celebration for Abang Idris and Abang Bismil's respective kids, Iman and Irfaan. There will be homemade Bruneian delicacies as well as plenty of cake to go around so please come with a bite to share and an empty tummy!

Date: Saturday, 23rd April 2011
Time: 1pm - 3pm
Venue: Abang Idris's place, 1/23 Tattenham St Caulfield East

Directions:

By Train: Take the Pakenham/Cranbourne/Frankston train and get off at Caulfield (Platform 1). Walk down Normandy Road, then on Queens Avenue and Tattenham Street is to your left :)

or click on the link below for the map...

http://maps.google.com.au/maps?q=1%2F23+Tattenham+St+Caulfield+East&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq&hnear=23+Tattenham+St%2C+Caulfield+East+VIC+3145&gl=au&ei=jd6vTdf5OMuGrAeJ9IT9CA&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBYQ8gEwAA

If you get lost or you are unsure of the location, feel free to contact us below:-

Izzat: 0433404206
Bismil: 0430770878
Kamaliah: 0412277613

We hope that we see you all there! :D

Kinds regards and Wassalam,
BSSMelb Gang

ICSS Goal For Charity: Rules and Regulations

Please take note of the Rules & Regulations and Terms & Conditions of participating in the ICSS Goal For Charity Futsal Tournament.  The following details have been sent to us by the ICSS event organisers. 

Rules & Regulations

1. Each of the preliminary group stage, quarter-final and semi-final matches are 20 minutes long.  These will not be split into halves.
2. Each team is only permitted FIVE players on the pitch at any time during a match.
3. Each team is allowed THREE substitutes.
4. Each team is permitted an unlimited amount of substitutions.  However, substitutes must inform the referee prior to making the change.
5. Substitutions can only take place while play is interrupted (e.g. when the ball is kicked out or fouls are committed).
6. The offside rule will NOT apply in this competition.
7. The back pass rule DOES apply.  Goalkeepers are not permitted to pick up back-passes.  
8. Sliding tackles are NOT permitted.
9. Rough conduct will be penalised.
10. Unsportsmanlike behaviour (e.g. swearing, fighting, racists remarks) will be penalised.
11. Fouls called will be up to the discretion of the referees.
12. Players will be penalised for dissent against referees.
13. All players MUST be present at their respective pitches prior to the start of their match to get ready.  The timing of game WILL commence regardless of whether or not anyone is missing.
14. The preliminary group stages will follow a point system: 3pts for a win, 1pt for a draw and 0pts for a loss.
15. The top 2 teams of each group that advance from the preliminary group stages will enter the elimination round. 
16. Elimination round will follow a knockout system.  In the event of a draw the game will go immediately into a penalty shoot-out.
17. The final match will be 30 minutes long, comprising of two 15 minute halves.

Terms & Conditions

1. Each team must elect a team captain and submit a team name.
2. Each team can be all male, all female, or a combination of any of the two.  However, all teams will compete together equally.
3. Each team will be required to bring TWO DIFFERENT sets of matching coloured jerseys.  (e.g. one set of blue AND one set of red).
4. The organising committee will not be held responsible for any loss of and/or damage to property.
5. The organising committee will not be held responsible for any injuries and/or death suffered by the players during the course of the competition.  
6. The organising committee reserves the right to request any team to leave the competition as they see fit.
7. In the event of extreme weather causing dangerous and unsuitable conditions, the organising committee reserves the right to refund each team to the extent of which the costs of the venue hire is covered.
8. There will be NO REFUNDS for confirmed (signed) teams who withdraw from the competition for any personal reasons.

 

ICSS GOAL FOR CHARITY FUTSAL TOURNAMENT

Assalamualaikum and Hello all,

Apologies for the late notice but BSSMelb have only just heard back from the University of Melbourne International Commerce Student Society (ICSS) with regards to the upcoming 'ICSS Goal For Charity' futsal competition.  We are registering a team tomorrow at 10am, pending on the response from our fellow Bruneians.  

If you are keen in participating and being part of the team, please contact us either through twitter or emailing us directly at bssmelb@gmail.com to confirm your spot on the team preferably by 9am.  The sooner the better.  There are only eight players able to be registered per team and it is whoever the first eight that gets back to us first that will secure a spot.  The cost per person is $12.50 ($100 per team), Not refundable. 

 

Hope to hear from the lucky eight soon!

BSSMelb

RMIT Futsal Challenge 2011

Assalamualaikum and Good Morning all,

Last Sunday BSSMelbourne competed in the RMIT Futsal Challenge.  Captained by Saf and managed by Izzat, our team and supporters had an awesome Sunday!  Although we did not walk away with a winning trophy, we definitely had a great deal of fun cheering our team on and the competition likewise. 

BSSMelbourne's team comprised of:
Safarul - Captain
Wafiy
Shukri
Zaim
Ah Peng - Imported all the way from Shah Alam, Malaysia!  Thanks again Peng!
Min Morni - Goalie

A big thankyou goes out to our cheerleaders, Lai and Naasirah for coming out on the day and supporting the team! 

More pictures from the Futsal Challenge are on our snapshots page

On that note, have you got your tickets to the Melbourne Jazz Festival???  Best not to leave it too late.  'Fly me to the moon- Australian Premiere' on the opening night has an all star cast of Australian vocalists lined up!  Lucky for us, concession priced tickets are available and several free events you can look up on the festival program too.

Also, there are Festival Volunteer positions throughout the Festival period, if interested.  Further details are available on the Melbourne Jazz Festival website.      

Weekend Market Heaven!

I am literally itching for the weekend to come already!  

"Finders Keepers,  Losers Weepers" ...

You definitely won't walk away weeping after heading down to "The Finders Keepers" market this weekend in Docklands, Melbourne!  

The market is FREE entry for all 

and features a great music line up for both days! 

...and shopping too :)

If you have a keen appreciation of handmade arts and crafts, and unique designs then this definitely is for you  (as it is for me hehehe) ! Here's a link to some of the stalls that will be featured this weekend.  

Come Sunday and you're not all marketed out by then, best you head down to Flemington Racecourse and enjoy a traditional Melbourne Crafts Market.  I've been to several myself and especially enjoyed the fresh produce, arts and crafts, especially the HOME MADE JAM and CHUTNEYS!   And not to mention how close it is and conveniently located to the city!  

For an idea on what to expect, this video snippet from an episode of Postcards in 2010 covering markets in Melbourne is superb.
Flemington Racecourse, 
Epsom Rd, Flemington.
(Melway Map: 42 F1)
9am to 2pm. FREE ENTRY.
Further information can be accessed at the Craft Markets Australia website




I'll almost definitely be going to both markets on Sunday.  Hope to see you there..
K xx

An inspirational piece

  The trials and tribulations of being an international student, especially more so when based in the beautiful state of Melbourne, Victoria.

 *The location: Dining hall in my lovely house located in... somewhere, infront of my housemate Felicia Tan, Diko, Jessica and Issac, all busy studying and doing their assignments. ( I'm suppose to be doing my assignment right now but heck who cares. I decide to write a meaningful (well hopefully meaningful) piece for this site with the hopes of inspiring students, friends and maybe passerby's to this BSS blog while my housemates are busy studying!)

To begin with, I start off with a quote and a youtube link ( above, so click play on it while you read this)

" Life is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you are going to get"

  Life ,as I have always known it, has always been all about a series of many changes. Being in my shoes, I've seen so many changes around and within me. From the way how I use to live my life to the many changing faces, location and sceneries that I get to experience everyday. when I first decided to move abroad, I do have to admit that it wasn't easy. Leaving all things that I'm so familiar with like my friends, family, home and car wasn't an easy decision but there comes a point in life where you just have to do it. One of the many things in life that I have learned is that there isn't really a good time for anything and if it wasn't now, then when's the best time anyway. A change in environment, a change in lifestyle and friends and maybe a shot in life. Change can be either a good or bad thing and only time can tell whether the change associated with our life was a good one or not because at the moment, we are just too darn young to understand the implications of a small change to the greater outcome of our lives. All that we can do is just try our best to adapt to these changes.

  Earlier in the year, I had a meaningful conversation with one of the Bruneian based here in Melbourne. Our topic of conversation was about how people change with time. Like every meaningful conversations, it was... of course meaningful and very relevant to our everyday lives here in Melbourne. Staying here for a close 3 years, I have experienced the highs along with the low's that are so closely associated with change and with so many changes that's coming along the way, one wonders where does the future lie for us. As Liam Gallagher once said "tomorrow doesn't know what it doesn't know too soon."

  Now, if only life is predictable in a sense that you can forsee what is coming towards you. Everything would be so much easier. Unfortunately for us, life is ambiguous and every step taken in any direction in life is a mystery. You can either be an initiator or a reactor when it comes to dealing with changes in life. This means that you can either initiate the change you want in your life or you react to the changes around you and adjust accordingly. This all depends on how you want to live your life. I for one, have absolutely no idea where does life want to take me but I do live my life being driven by the search of something epic, something breath taking or something that's just life changing.

  Be your own man (or woman) and create your own destiny, start a new chapter in your life and for gods sake, get a move on with life and find that rainbow.

  By now you're probably asking yourself, who on earth is this writer? It doesn't matter. Who the person is, is of no importance. What he does, is.I am just merely a writer.

  I shall end this piece with a favourite quote of mine taken from James Hetfield

" forever trusting who we are, and nothing else matters."

                                                                                 S.I  XVIII.IX

Boot Camp!

Sometime in 2009, a handful of students started a ritual called Boot Camp. After a whole routine week of studying, working, going to classes and eating, we got the chance to meet up every Saturday morning (around 9am) at Carlton gardens, Melbourne, to burn some calories, de-stress ourselves, pump up some adrenalin rush and re-energize back at the start of our weekend. Best thing is, we'll be working out together, motivating each other throughout and just have fun! plus, it's free!

So, we're bringing back Boot Camp this year starting this weekend, 19th March 2011!

Here's a rough idea on how it'll be:

People will have to start showing up at 9.30am at our usual spot in Carlton Gardens (further direction will be given below) and warm-up will start around 9.45am - 10am sharp! which consists of slow jogging around the garden and stretches.

Then, the real deal begins! The 'instructor' will be shouting out 'orders' the whole time and everyone's gonna have to keep up! We're not going to spoil the fun. All we're going to say is...prepare to be surprised and that we will definitely have a good time!

To loosen up, we'll have a friendly football after the Boot Camp where everyone and anyone can just join the fun of kicking a ball around.

To end the wonderful workout, we always do what we, Bruneians, do best.......MAKAN!

hehehehehehe. we deserve it  *winks*

yes, we usually go straight after with our sweaty, smelly selves, stinking up a restaurant during lunch time in a group and eating as if we've never eaten for days! hahaha

But we promise you, you will never enjoyed working out like how you've worked out in Boot Camp (or maybe it's just us). Pictures from the past have been posted up at the 'Snapshots' tab. Please go check it out and see for yourselves =)

Really hope to see most of you there this Saturday.


How to get there:

The red X marks our spot at the Garden

By Train: Get off at Parliament Station and walk down Spring St towards the Garden.
By Tram: Take any tram on Bourke St towards Parliament and get off at the Victoria Parade/Nicholson St Stop and walk towards the Garden to your left. Or, take the City Loop tram and stop at La Trobe St./Victoria St.

Be sure to have one of our numbers saved in your phone. Just in case =)

PICTURES!

Pictures of past and upcoming BSSMelb events are on the Snapshots tab. Just click on the link of the event (in orange font) which will direct you to our Picasa :)

Ch-ch-ch-check out the pictures!!!

Moomba Festival!!!

A little insight of what Moomba Festival is about:

Melbourne Festival is one of the largest outdoor activities in Melbourne, located along the Yarra River. There are different activities or performances for all ages.

On the water, there are water skiing in the day and some WOW fireworks at night. Great for photographers!

Action and activities: There will be some of Melbourne's best skateboarders and scooter and BMX riders that you can watch or thrill -seek in the carnival's extreme zone. FUN FUN FUNNN!!! (time to scream your lungs outtttt)

For the kids: Kids can learn, play and stretch their imaginations with endless activities, workshops and performances in the Children's Garden, or spin a Tangled Web at Artplay.

Moomba Music: Enjoy Aussie music at its best with acts such as Lisa Mitchell, ILLY and The Audreys on the main stage, or visit the Cultural Quarter for Arabian dancing, Japanese drumming and sounds from across Africa."


SPECIAL:

Moomba Parade

Monday 14 March, 11am - Swanston Street (from Little Bourke Street to Princes Bridge)

The 2011 Moomba parade is dedicated to celebrating the exciting array of events that take place in the city every year. An eclectic mix of processional performers, community groups and much-loved personalities will complement this year’s fantastic floats.




Personal experience: I've been a student in Melbourne for 5 years, and i've been going to Moomba EVERY single year. That's how good it is.. I highly recommend Moomba Festival for anyone who is in Melbourne!