Uni Life Diaries #1

Year Two, take one.

#1: Commuting to class

Picture mine, actually taken on the way to class.
Everyone's squeezing like sardines, both inside and outside the bus...
If there were less people,
some of them would probably stare at me because I'm taking pictures.
Journalism student in training, must brush up my skills mah. haha. 

Rush hours aren't limited to the big city streets. It also exists in USM, as everyone is still trying to get used to the new bus system. Buses and bus stops are filled to their limits, and walking to classes is more common in campus now - maybe a blessing in disguise for those who want to lose/maintain weight, but be prepared to wash your clothes more often as they get drenched in sweat more easily.

Honestly, I appreciate the fact that USM is taking the effort to try and improve the bus routing system to accommodate an increasing number of students as well as increase the turnaround times per bus (so that we won't have to wait too long to get on one). The buses that are used now are actually bigger and more comfortable (for the same rate per semester so far). For that I'm grateful.

I think those who planned the route have good intentions, but I'm a bit lost at the execution part, because it seems like the jam has actually increased compared to the previous year. The reason is most likely a combination of increased student intake, unfamiliarity with bus routes (so people wait at the wrong bus stations), as well as the lack of the number of buses to critical areas, such as the Padang Kawad bus stop (the RST complex undeniably has the biggest population of students because of its big capacity), Aman Damai (because physically disabled students are allocated places there, but so far a van has been allocated for that purpose so that's settled I guess), and the road that passes by the SOLLAT/HBP area (many people have classes/courses there as well as the DK D/E/F complex). No system is perfect, but surely it could use improvements...maybe I feel ''it'' more because I stay in Restu (which, even though relatively new and comfortable, is the furthest hostel from anywhere in USM) and have to experience ''the squeeze'' a few times per day. For the past few days, I have actually walked more so that I didn't need to wait until I can squeeze on the 5th bus that comes along after about half an hour (!). Many students have complained about the 3rd reason, but I don't think it's the only reason.

Since last year, I don't like having to be selfish on the bus route. To take someone else's seat on the bus, or block someone's way up, or having to squeeze against someone making them feel uncomfortable. (I don't like it done to me either, obviously.) But if I wanted to get to class on time by bus, I'd no choice but to do some of those things. Unless I come out about an hour before classes or before (imagine 8am class = wait for the bus at 7am) or walk. Normally, if I can't get on 3 buses, I would walk straight away. Those are the times where I wished I had a car. But then, cars contribute to the big street traffic jams, so...

Anyway, hoping for the day where there is no longer a need to squeeze like sardines in campus buses anymore. :)

#2: The weather
 It rains the whole day one day, and then a heat wave comes the next day. Very typical islandic weather, which means, (here's a tip) plan your laundry days as well as you can, because you wouldn't want to have a lack of clean clothes to wear.

But monsoon change can actually be kinda pretty, like these clouds descending on the mountains behind RST that I saw today morning: (the clouds in the sky are pretty too!)

It looks like a fluffy worm. Or is it just me?
This pic was taken with a proper camera,
hence the better quality compared to the bus one above
(which was taken on my mobile phone)
Clear skies are beautiful. :)

Another tip: Since the weather is so unpredictable here in Penang/USM, there are a few essentials that I would suggest you have to make traveling easier out of experience, which will be:
* this applies to any coastal area with tropical, infrequent rain/sunshine. So, the tips can be used outside USM. :)

Photo Credit: bark via Compfight cc

• Slippers/sandals with a good grip. Don't use old slippers/sandals where the pattern or ''groove'' at the base has disappeared due to prolonged friction, or risk slipping and getting yourself wet on rainy days (personally witnessed this many times + happened to me quite often also)

Photo Credit: * Cati Kaoe * via Compfight cc

• Umbrellas: The small, cheap, foldable kind of umbrella, although convenient, has a shelf life of about 4 months - a year at most over here (if you rarely use it) due to strong wind that will blow your umbrella inside out, breaking the metal frame. So unless you don't mind changing one every half a year, consider getting a bigger one, the kind you hold in your hand. Shade in the sun, protection in the rain. It's essential.
  * unless you tend to lose things easily like me, then have to settle for smaller one lo. Sad! I own two umbrellas now actually (one in use, one spare), my 6th and 7th ones since last year respectively, so I have an unofficial title: The Umbrella Wrecker now -.-

Photo Credit: Joe Shlabotnik via Compfight cc

• Sunblock/sun protection lotion for hot days, unless you want a more tanned complexion. It's not the beach, but still if you wish to maintain skin tone, sunblock helps.

Okay, that's all I can write for today. Off to lunch, then classes. Have a nice day :)