Many overseas students return home after the end of their studies often requiring to ship back tons of stuff. Some shipping companies enable you to save heaps because they piggy back regular passenger airlines, saving you almost 75% the cost should you engage a professional shipping company like DHL or FedEx. However, there's a catch - these companies often recommend that you to collect the items yourself from the airport, saying that sending it right to your door will cost AUD$250 extra.

I choose to collect it from the airport. Here a description of my personal experience of what happened, in hope that you'll carefully consider your options when shipping things home. These events are described after your dealings with the shipping company has been completed with you having your airwaybill number, an estimated arrival date, which airlines your shipment is on and your stuff already on the way.

Before you head to the airport
You'll need to wait for a call from the cargo company. In Malaysia's case, the cargo industry is monopolized by MAS Kargo. So even if shipments are handled by AirAsia on any other airline, you'll end up dealing with MAS Kargo if you intend to do your own pick-up.

At the airport :

1) Obtain Pass
Go to a building by the traffic light next to MAS Kargo to obtain a pass to enter the cargo free zone. A fax would have been sent to this station, giving you authorization to enter the free zone - dig it out from a tray the custom officers would have left on the counter. You'll also have to fill up a small form with some of your personal details. Your IC will be needed and exchanged for the pass, whereby your IC will be kept at this station.

Before you enter, take note that of the dresscode - you need to wear a collared shirt, long pants and shoes.

2) KLAS Cargo Complex - Gate A
Once you're in, head to the KLAS cargo complex. Ask for directions of where to collect your things. The workers will point you to a counter. Pay an admin fee of RM20 for terminal charges. Obtain receipt and proceed to another section of the building.

3) KLAS Cargo Complex - Gate C (Imports)
Show the receipt. Another authorization letter will be issued. You will then be asked to head towards the customs building, the tallest in the vicinity. Take note, that as you enter the building, you'll most likely be intercepted by runners who offer their services and advice to make your ordeal less stressful. They'll ask for RM50, but students can bargain for a lower price. The benefit of engaging these runners is that they make life much easier for you in terms of procedures. 

This is not bribing! They are just runners. The only cheat is they cut ques.

4) Head to Malaysia Airports Office
On the 3rd floor, you will be asked to pay a further RM5 admin fee for FCZ charges. You will also be required to fill up a declaration form for any household goods you've shipped back.

5) Pay another fee via Dagang Net
The office is located on the same floor. Another charge is given based on the assessed amount of goods you've brought back. The amount should roughly be around RM25. Collect the receipt and head downstairs. And the documents to your runner, he'll get it processed while you head back to KLAS Cargo.

6) Head back to KLAS Cargo Complex
Back to where your shipment is at, provide the required documents to MAS Kargo and they'll issue you another authorization form for security.

7) Give authorization letter to security
The booth is located right outside office. After checking your documents, their personnel will collect your things and drop it off at the front of the collection facility. Load your stuff into your vehicle and..

8) Proceed to inspection bay 5 (or was it 8? hmm)
Where a routine check for contraband will be conducted. Before you head to the inspection bays, best to open all your boxes and check for anything out of the ordinary (like drugs which they hitch-hike on your stuff by drug syndicates). They don't do thorough checks (unless you look dodgy), so it should take just a while. Of course, before inspection, you'll need to present one of the authorization letters to them. They sign it off and they'll need to head back to the customs building. Note, if you engaged the runner - one of his colleagues will accompany you back and forth between the inspection bays and the customs office.

9) Present the form to customs office, Ground floor.
If you engaged the runner, he will take care of this step on your behalf. Apparently there are another 2-3 steps after this if you did not engage his services. He makes things alot faster because he has connections with some of the officers and is able to cut the massive ques. When he is done, one of your forms (which he will take from you between steps 6-8) will be returned, nicely signed. All you need to go is present it at the final counter where they will give the all clear for you to leave the complex.

10) Exit free zone complex and return pass tags
Return your tags to the lady at the customs booth, collect your IC and get the heck out of that hell hole.

Total cost: RM100 approx
Total time: 4.5 hours approx

In conclusion, I only recommend this step if you're really short on cash, have plenty of time during the holidays and if you have lots of patience.

"Welcome to Singapore!", once again after visiting it about five years ago. I don't remember much from my last visit, making this trip something quite new. A land littered with HDB flats and anything but litter, Singapore is an urban jungle a million times cleaner than their neighbours across the crossway. A city state created with a twist of irony, after originally being kicked out by Malaysia to its doom, only to become exceedingly better than those who betrayed them. The only draw back is the dense population, the over crowded malls and the stressful atmosphere which makes many Singaporeans impatient, particular and perfectionist (kiasu) - the ethics which made Singapore of one the best cities in the world.

Of all its attractions, the zoo was the first on my hit list.. went there straight after chucking my stuff at Yasmeen's place. One of the world's best zoo, the zoo is not visited only for the variety of animals it has, but also how well the animals are kept and the feeding times or shows they have daily. It totally whoops Zoo Negara which is so bad, most Malaysians will irk if you asked them to go to any zoo.. all that stigma came from Zoo Negara. Try it yourself - ask a Malaysian to a zoo and you'll be given the "are you crazy?" face. Anyway, Singapore Zoo failed to dissappoint, though my regret was missing out the araipaimas (the biggest freshwater fish in the Amazon  ) feeding session. One tip for those planning to visit - try doing a single long whistle when you're at the mouse deer and otter enclosure. The animals will appear from hiding! Apparently its the zoo keepers way of telling them food is ready.

Left: Local otters.. apprently you can find them in Malaysia. Perhaps they meant 100 years ago. Right: The leopard came right up to Morniques face! Was just waiting for it to smash through the glass and have her for dinner.

Apart from the zoo, I spent most of my time with friends.. just catching up, even met a few new people. Overall, the cost of food and public transport in Singapore is not as high as it is in Melbourne. Public transport is not just efficient, it is also cheap! I don't know the exact rates, but my Ezylink card with a value of S$10 supported me for 3 days. A single ride cost no more than $2.50 (that is from one end of Singapore to the other). Taxi's are quite reasonable as well, at least wayyy better than those rip offs in KL.

I guess the only thing Singapore looses out to Malaysia to is food. Although not horribly wrong, it surely isn't as tasty as Malaysia's (perhaps cause its cleaner). There was one exception, a local delicacy unique to Singapore (no, not Singapore noodles. It doesn't even exist in Singapore!). It's called the kuey chap. Large rice noodle sheets with a bak kut tehish soup and pork side dish. Excellent. A must try!

I intended to be in new year for Singapores fireworks of which my friend told me was much better than the one in Mooba Festival. Unfortunately, we were on the wrong side of the hill, with the city at the opposite direction we were on. We did get a small fireworks display though, but not the grand display I was hoping for. That also means I'll be in Singapore again next year!

After the fireworks, we met a few ex-OCFers and some of my former housemates at a nice Bali-themed bar (forgotten to take a picture). The next day we met up again in the city and tried out a fish spa. There was an offer that day, $15 for 30 minutes electrifying fish biting experience. It was part tickle-part pain, jab like pain. Two separate pools were available with different fish sizes. While waiting, you had the option of using their computers to surf the net while fish nibble away your dry skin. The end product is really smooth skin.

Left: Fish getting to work. Right: Jack's in agony thanks to the fish.

Before I knew it, times up in Singapore! No time to take a stroll in the city, no time to visit Sentosa and no time to catch up with other friends. I might be back really soon! More updates then. Special thanks to Yasmeen, Joel, Mornique and Faith for bringing me around.

Camping and Fishing at Wilson Promontory

Almost like an annual pilgrimage, Wilson's Promontory has been on my "must visit" places ever since I decided to continue another in Australia. I first came here two years ago with Jon, last year, with a squad of 9. This time, it's just Joshua Khoo, Chien Aun and I.

Just two days before heading to Wilson's Prom, I had an assignment which required me to assess the strategy of our of the Australian government agencies. I picked Parks Victoria and focused on Wilson's Promontory.
It was quite a bad move, I felt that I did a bad job on the assignment. As a result, kept thinking about it since I was in Wilson's Prom as it stood as a reminder I could see and touch all around.

Fortunately, the beauty of the Southern most tip of Australia (minus Tasmania) continued to blow me away despite it being my third visit. But it wasn't so much of camping this time, we were here to fish. We walked the same route to Refuge Cove, a hike which took much lesser time than we did the last time. We started walking at 10am and reached sometime after 4pm.. compared to last year when we started walking at about the same time but only reached after 6.30pm.

I promised Joshua, who's yet to catch a fish on the Australian seashores, that it was here that he'll end his dry spell.It sure paid off. Once again, I caught something with my first throw, but unfortunately the line snapped. Throughout our time fishing, we'd fish up dozens of fish, many new ones since the last trip.. and bigger. We saw quite a few marvelous things.. such as a giant stringray.. about 2 meters in diameter. It was huge! Josh also caught two sharks.. not sure what kind though.. but they were bottom dwellers. Altogether, the fauna was amazing.. the best place for seaside fishing I've been anywhere.

Left: Bigger fish caught at Refuge Cove. Right: Chien Aun lands a unique looking fish

During this trip I also had the pleasure of meeting two Aussies - Luke and Emma. We talked quite a lot during our stay. They are regular hikers here and we got many tips for our walk back. To shorten our hike back, Luke suggested going the longer hike back as it had easier terrain which brings us past Little Waterloo Bay. In the end, it took us 10 hours to get back - so I'm not sure if the gamble paid off. But it was nice to see something new.

Left: Luke and Emma, the two Aussies who befriended us during the trip. Right: Fish was a dish for every meal during this trip

On the way back, I stumbled upon a snake crawling past the trail. It has a black back and bright yellow belly, along with a snout like feature much like a cobra. It was obviously venomous. I let out a loud "whoa!" when I saw it. It was easily 2 meters in front of me. Once it crawled away, I walked on in a hurry.. in my mind thinking that if I walked just 3-4 steps faster I would've gone right into its path. Scary stuff.

At the end of a 3 day stay, I was quite glad to be headed back to Clayton. The next day was OCF Clayton's annual thanksgiving event.

OCF Clayton Thanksgiving

As it happens every year, we rent out a place and dress at our best for a night to reflect on God's goodness for the year. It was a little odd sharing the place with other patrons as it wasn't quite a rent out this year, but oh well.. good try. All cell groups were required to give a presentation. For my cell, we did a sketch meant to poke fun at people. While rehearsing for the sketch was quite a lot of fun, the actual act itself wasn't that great. I was the main actor. Right after the sketch they had a birthday video for me, where Yasmeen recorded me snoring the night before. Sneaky sneaky! I got an awesome present.. a video camera! Thanks to all who chipped in. It's by far my coolest gift (not to mention expansive).

Quarter Century Birthday

The next day after thanksgiving was my birthday! It was quite an ordinary day really, a regular Saturday at church, then I brought a selected few to Outback Steakhouse (awesome place, best steak deal I've had anywhere). It was my intention to treat everyone, but they beat me to it. Stupid cashiers fault, ended up taking Nic's card instead of mine. Oh well. Thanks for the great meal guys =)

The next day there was surprise waiting for me at home. Before that, Yas and I went shopping at the DFO Moorabin. Little was I aware that it was a decoy. They prepared a BBQ. But there were some give aways. As I was driving on Bettina Street, we saw Kang Wei and K.C. walking towards my house. They used a cover saying that they were on their way to Jared's new place. So I gave them a lift closer to where that was. At the same time, I also noticed that Nic's car was parked outside the house, which was unusual. As I drove into the drive way. I saw Rachel's car with Ruo standing outside. Lol.

The Flaming Lamborghini - thanks to Marc and Surend

Quite a fun night eating, drinking (no one got drunk, but there were some burnt tongues), chatting and the last poker session of the year. Thanks to all those who came and made it a special day for me (although it was technically a day after my birthday)!

New Zealand

Four days later (26th Noc-2 Dec) Yas and I were headed off to New Zealand's South Island. We wanted more people to come along, but no one did. Oh well. Our first destination was Christchurch, took a morning flight from Melbourne which was scheduled to arrive in the afternoon.

New Zealand was fantastic. From the plane, we could clearly see the Southern Alps, with its snow peak mountains. It really looked like something out of a film set.

We stayed the first night at the YMCA. Quite cheap, only needing to pay $35 for a very decent room, but with shared toilets. Christchurch itself was pretty dead. I would say it's quite similar to Ballarat. A very quiet town, with absolutely no traffic jams, even at 5pm where most cities go chaotic. There was also a very evident and high focus on tourism. About 1/6 of the shops in the CBD are souvenir shops.. selling touristy things like t-shirts, cups, etc.

Our first dinner in NZ was dining in Irish restaurant which name is more well known in form of its beer - Stella Artois. Awesome food. However, overall the price is about the same as Melbourne. The next day we rented a car for the whole duration of the trip which altogether cost about NZ$355, which is pretty good considering it'll cost at least $100 a day in Australia for a similar car. Note that the NZ dollar is weaker than the Aussie dollar. So, its about $270 aussie. Not bad! The car we rented was an Altis.

We headed straight for Lake Takepo where we were meant to spend the night, crossing towns like Ashburton where we stopped to shop at the "Woolworths" which was called something else in New Zealand. As for the roads in New Zealand - I'd say they're more dangerous than Australia. For instance, in most countries dotted lines usually indicate when it's safe to overtake. In New Zealand, dotted lines are everywhere.. even when it's not safe to overtake.

We reached Lake Tekapo around 3pm, plenty of daylight to roam around since it only becomes dark in New Zealand around 10pm. I heard the night sky was fantastic. It has an observatory there because of that. But the skies were quite cloudy, so we gave that a miss. We did take a stroll up to observatory on foot. The views from there were fantastic. The lake itself was something to behold, with a small church overlooking it. The water's colour was unusually green as it's melted glacier water.

 

The next day we were headed towards Queenstown. On the way, we stopped by salmon, the highest in the world in terms of altitude. It's quite fascinating to see live salmon, with its pretty green skin and black spots. After feeding the fish, we had some for sashimi. It was quite disappointing though.. I prefer the sashimi in Sydney. There was a cat in the farm. I tried giving it a piece of sashimi, but it seem to be quite sick of fish.

 

Onward to Queenstown, we past by a few more towns like Wanaka and Arrowtown. Queenstown was beautiful, with its snow capped mountains surrounding the area. But it wasn't just popular for its sights, it was the activities we were mind blowing. Sky diving, hang-gliding, canyoning.. it seems like the capital of extreme sports. Unfortunately, due to financial limitations we only went for paragliding and jetboating.. which were pretty fun as well.

After Queenstown we headed back the same way we came, putting up another night at Lake Takepo which was again cloudy. After that, straight on to Akaroa to catch a swim with the dolphins.. the smallest in the world.

New Zealand, in my opinion, is a far better place to apply for a PR. I might be back some day to cover North Island.

Coming Home

Just about 5 days after New Zealand, I found myself preparing to return home. Had a few meet up with friends I'd probably not see for a long time and spent some days just thinking about how much I will miss Australia.

Now another chapter begins.

Gosh. So much has happened over the past month and a half which I missed out blogging on. Assignment madness, Wilsons Prom, thanksgiving, my birthday surprise, New Zealand, results.. now I'm going home in less than 12 hours. I guess I'll have plenty of time to talk about all these things later on.. but right now I just wanna thank God for what great three years it has been in Australia.

I remember coming here for my studies in 2007 right after summer school back in Monash Malaysia. I had the worst start, I failed the unit I was taking (business law) and received my results before the semester started. However, the Lord has been faithful and I've never failed a unit ever since. In fact, I've ended my stay here on a high this semester with the best combination of results I ever had so far. By the way, I'm now a Graduate Diploma holder! Praise God!

Apart from studies (which I still do not consider the main reason being here), God has blessed me with something more important - friends and a great experience. The Overseas Christian Fellowship has certainly been the main highlight of my stay here and I cannot imagine how life would be it weren't for it. I'm very glad for the friendships made and hopefully some relationships made there will last forever. The support gain (and in giving) has taught me a lot and I wish to continue drawing from the Lord's graces even when I return home. It is also a good feeling leaving your mark behind. As I did with setting up OCF Berwick in 2008, this year I led the first Victoria Committee - something new the State came up with. Hopefully, whatever has been done there will go a long way to serve God's people. I also hope these initiates will stay, like footprints in cement (I never thought the phrase footprints in the sand was a good anology, it gets washed away and forgotten when the waves come crashing in).

As I spend my final hours in Melbourne, I begin to ponder of the things I have here. The life that I have got so used and comfortable to, and the things I have taken for granted. I will deeply miss Melbourne. Life has been great here. But as long as God is with us, there is nothing to fear. Not like I'm afraid anyway, I am quite excited to go home =)

I guess I'll end this blog entry with a prayer:

I came home today slightly disturbed by what some of my classmates shared in class today in a discussion of servant leadership. That is, leaders who puts others needs and aspiration above their own. They do not have a conscious choice in being leaders and act out of service for the well-being of others.

Some of my classmates violently disagreed towards such forms of leadership.

Their comments include:
"I will not to do something for someone if I know I will not get something in return."

"It just won't work - how can a CEO expect to get anything done if he/she is bogged down in the grassroots"
(When comparing authoritative styles of leadership with that of servant leadership)

"You can never be the CEO of a large organisation if you're a servant leader. You need to be aggressive."

"When I work, I don't have time to think for others. I need to put myself first".

"You don't hear someone who is a servant leader receiving a Nobel Prize. Only CEO's and highly successful leaders".

"I wouldn't have done it." (When referring to the works of Tim Costello's selfless community service record and also that of a pharmaceutical company having developed a drug that will cure a form of blindness, it's CEO deciding it would be more ethical to give the drugs to the those in poverty who really need it, rather than conform to the company's shareholders who didn't want to develop the drug if no profits were involved.

What bothered me a lot is that these comments were unanimous, even the lecturer sung in the same tune.

I don't know about everyone else, but I sure do not want to live in a world where no one is watching our backs, not willing to share the world we live in collectively without expecting something in return. That's just not the way we are meant to live.

Anyway, something the ones who commented did not realise is that this discussion was based on a journal, which academic references were based on the Bible and Jesus Christ. Perhaps they failed to realize that:

- Jesus is the CEO of the largest and one of the most effective organizations in the world (2 billion followers). He was the ULTIMATE servant leader, going to the extent of dying for us.
- Mother Teresa did win a Noble Prize.
- If weren't for someone in the past and present who were selfless enough to give up their lives (in some way), we wouldn't have been where they are now financially.

Somehow, there was a great absence in humanity today, and what was more disturbing was that these were all Masters students. Perhaps it's just the comments of a few outspoken students plus one lecturer.. there were some who kept quiet. I hope they, like me, disagree with their views.

In case you're not able to see the words, on the desktop it reads:
Time: 12.09am
Date: 25th August 2009

At the bottom, the unit outline reads:
Due date: 25th August 2009
Weighting: 20%

At that point I just begun, with just a few sentences. (LOL!)

I really don't know why I lack for the motivation for these things. Countless times have I blogged about it. Well, this particular assignment has extra "refusal to do early" points because it's financial management - a subject I simply find contradicting human nature. There simply isn't any fear in terms of the due date, although I may bitch about it being near (or exceeded). Perhaps this calm comes from the Holy Spirit. Perhaps, it's just me not being a cent. Anyway, I ended up handing in this assignment about 28 hours after it's due via email.

This is just one of the countless stories I have throughout my stay in Monash, which began mainly during my final year of my bachelors degree. People around me know quite well of my "hand-up" late ethics to a point they more surprised if I do hand up early.

But the result is always the same.

Does this justify my actions?

Rachel Kam and her family are off for a road trip and the Bettina's are left to take care of a little someone called Sash.

Here she is on my bed sometime after midnight. We weren't able to get her to sleep in the living room. Oh well, might as well spoil her while she's around.