Back in Brum: Welcome Week 2007 *

2007-09-30 5:07 p.m.

So I am no longer a Fresher, and yet due to my UNA committee post, I have to “harness” new members for the club. Ok, Saturday move it was just a smooth as last year’s. My flat is super duper new. Sunday—Woke up and got some stuff at the library sorted out. Evening and that meant the traditional barbeque at TC. In between swigs of some Vodka Orange and Burger, I met Adrienne, who was rather anxious as she was without a bedding pack. Secondly, she didn’t even have a UK line yet so I had to help her contact Sabrina, whom she wanted to meet. Before that, I checked with Ed (President TC) about the bedding and walked with her and another girl, Jacklyn to Shackleton. Jacklyn was meeting her friend at Maple Bank, but she hadn’t a clue as to its direction. Hurrah for the 24/7 reception at Shackleton, Adrienne received her bedding pack, and with a little complication here and there, both girls went their way and walked back to TC later. Then in the morning, I met a Malaysian student called Patricia and showed her the way to the Great Hall. I’m not even a Student Ambassador but I’m still willing to help anyone. Call it my kind of pro bono work (though it isn’t professional). Oh yeah, also met Matt Reilly while walking to the main campus. It’s great to see an old face again.

UNA stall planning and Campaigns planning is like a Tornado that sudden sprang up of nowhere. Thank God for Mark Rusling at UNA-UK, for providing us with a bountiful lot of material for Fresher’s Fair. With some ingenuity and such, posters went up in strategic points in order to attract potential members. Then at the after the first year POLSIS talk we managed to recruit 26 new members. On top of that, there was free lunch which , despite being only sandwiches, fruit and cake was heaven. The mineral water bottles were glass mind you, not plastic. And for the first time, I got to try the British version of cumber on bread. It’s pretty refreshing. Then, Shab and I sorted out the video of the Fresher’s Fair itself.

Fresher’s Fair first day. Woke up late. Oh dear, but Marek was understanding. The setting up of the stall was pretty smooth. The cute thing was that we were sandwiched between the Conservative Society and the Labour Society. Directly across from us was the Green Party and after another stall was the Socialist Party, which had a rather erm cute poster. So we, the UN society were the stall in between the two main opposing parties in the UK. Rhea Keehn, the new Guild President came by to say hello and asked us for our plans for this year.

1000hrs. Only a few Fresher’s came in and Marek aptly put it to the massive partying they (well most) were at last night. Basically, we recruited about the same number as we did the day before, maybe a bit more, but at a slower pace. That’s alright, since not many students have heard of Model UN or tried campaigning/volunteering. In between, it was fun to watch the two political related students groups beside me. I was offered “Conservative” candy and later tried some Fairtrade chocolate from the Labour stall. There in fact wasn’t any tension between the two stalls at all; it was all just all laughter. Of course, on the Labour side, I exchanged greetings with Ed Sparkes, and I think that was Gary Hughes, old Guild President helping out. Wondering what’s he still here for. Around mid day, I travelled around and found Rhys, a dear old Flat mate from last year. We talked for a bit, and with a promise to visit his new house, I returned to the stall. Later, I spotted Stacey, and we hugged each other warmly. It’s really great to see old faces again.

Oh yeah, timetable settling. A little messy would be how I would place it. Economics timetable wasn’t even ready till by some great act of my coursemate, Sam, the timetable came into my possession. Thanks again, Sam.

After the hubbub of the fair, we returned to the Guild’s Basement (where all student groups work) and sorted out the society’s website. You can now find it on the links on the left—“United Nations Association Birmingham University”. Friday: Second day of Fresher’s Fair. Recruited a lesser amount of new members, more mostly towards the last two hours. This time, it was them actually coming up to our booth and saying yes, I’m interesting. I know Marek wants even more members but I’m quite pleased with the amount we have. After a Subway Sandwich, I bumped into Heather and had a nice catching up with her.

Evening came and after text-ing Paul, I accepted his invitation to join him and Rob at the Gun Barrels (a bar pretty nearby) to watch the England-Tonga Rugby match. It was extremely great meeting up with old pals again. Met two new girls there and walked home with Paul’s law friend. The match was quite interesting in my view, especially since I’m trying to learn the rules and play of rugby. Paul was like commenting on the performance every now and then and I strained to catch the bits of information. England won, but I think many thought they played just averagely.

Saturday: The early afternoon saw me visiting Rhys and Laura’s house down at Selly Oak. I came just to see Laura unpacking her stuff with her family. Had a nice tour of the downstairs area of Rhys’ house—it’s very spacious and new looking with a super huge TV and wireless but small kitchen. Passed Laura something and hugged her. Then at around three, I managed to climb through the construction mess outside Stacey, Helen and Heather’s house and buzzed their doorbell. Only Helen and her friend Theresa were in and their house still was undergoing some renovation or so. Oh well, It was around the same size as Rhys’ house. Stayed there for a while and headed off to Paul’s only to find him not in. I would later learn that he was off watching the Australia-Canada match which I caught a bit at Rhys and Laura’s house.

Evening came and that meant Anna’s birthday party at what she affectionately calls the Chicken House. Ok, that’s just her new house another street down from where I was earlier on. The theme was to dress as what you wanted to be when growing up. Scratching my head, I placed on a white shirt (well sort of white) , a black long sleeve shirt and a cap and made my way to the Chicken House, with her present and a bottle of lemonade. Ok, I was a poorly dressed Train Driver, but Paul’s outfit was so plain that it was hard to guess that he was a “casual lawyer”. Janet was well really pretty with a new hairstyle, acting as a ballerina. Anna, hmm, she never said what she was but judged she was acting as an inmate. Oh yeah, how daft I was, I mistaken called Nichola Laura. Now she was acting as a young Pavarotti, and even made a beard out of black paper. People streamed in, with one cowboy, one female spy, one policewomen and host of other interesting characters. The party was well, mainly booze related, though people finished up some pizza earlier. It was nice mixing around; I met a girl named Hilary who was acting as a construction worker and went mountain climbing in June. I moved in between the crowds to finish several glasses of lemonade, play around with balloons and share popcorn to Janet, who was explain how she would rather wear shorts that her skirt, which to her was too long. Oh well, that’s a girl’s preference. Helen came in briefly, but from what I gather, she had to work which definitely is disappointing, since the party was to be continued at FAB. For the uninitiated, FAB is a weekly event held at the Guild of Students involving much fun and drinking. I didn’t stay for that and made my way from the Chicken House, filled with high spirits. Too bad I was caught in the photos that were taken (Grin).

Sunday meant church. Oh by the way, did I mention that I couldn’t find my Bible? I’m sure I placed that in storage. Coincidentally, when I first moved in, I found a Bible “placed by the Gideons” on my desk. Mmm, I thought that was only to be found in hotels and such. Did someone read my University profile? Anyway, it came in useful since I lost my own. Met many familiar faces at Elim Church—Pastors Malwyn, Damian and Trevor, as well as their wives and the Catalyst group lead by Matt Churchouse. Oh, had a rather nice sharing session afterwards and a nice lunch.

It’s certainly wonderful to be back and meeting so many friends that I have seen for a few months. It certainly also great to meet new faces and help others—as I said, I’m not paid for it unlike the other student volunteers, but neither am I expecting to be. This does remind me I should be thankful to God for thus far. I do find that I may have not gained things that I really wanted and not really certain levels Ah, more about this later.

It’s just great to be back in Brum.

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