Cross-Cultural Conversations

Observations by a Malaysian studying in Australia

The Copycat Can

My single biggest problem since I started uni is my inability to concentrate during lectures. So far I have not missed a single lecture, but I honestly can’t tell you what went on in the lecture hall because my mind is busy somewhere else.

Most of the time I’m busy thinking of what to have for lunch, (or dinner, depending on the time of lecture) so today, I filled my stomach with those dense muesli bars to make sure my mind would not have an excuse to wander away from the lecture.

But you can only do so much. After 10 solid minutes of Chemistry, I thought of my high school days back in Malaysia. It’s funny how you only remember the juvenile, immature behaviour you were capable of back then. No one ever reminisces about the time he paid undivided attention during Biology class, or the time he got praised by teachers for being so obedient. The things that people love the most during their good ol’ days of high school usually have very few elements of goodness in them.

One of the most memorable aspects of my secondary school life is copying during exams. Now in uni, it takes too much effort to copy, and I’m no longer in the right age bracket anyway to indulge in such childish misdemeanour. But back then, when plagiarism sheets were non-existent and our sense of conscience hadn’t developed, it was the only way to go…

We found that the most efficient way of copying in our class was the chalk method. The sides of the desk were broad enough to enable us to write the questions we were unsure of, and the answers which the person sitting next to you would provide. It was discreet, and the chalk could easily be wiped off to get rid of the evidence.

Another efficient method was the Scratch system. We would signal, usually through a slight cough or sneeze, that we were stuck. Once you’ve caught the attention of the friend sitting next to you, you’d signal the question number with your fingers. He would then give the answer with any one of four signs: Scratch forehead –A, scratch nose- B, scratch chin –C, scratch ear –D.

My least favourite method was the Eraser way, where you write the question number and subsequent answer on the surface of the eraser. It proved to be highly inefficient, as it was terribly difficult to scrub off the pen marks on the eraser.

Initially we used to be able to choose our seats during tests, so we made sure we sat next or close to people of similar intelligence, and more importantly, similar generosity. Nothing is more awkward than when a friend desperately sneezes and coughs for answers, only for the other friend to pretend not to notice.

However, the school administration started to get systematic, and soon enough we found ourselves seated according to alphabetical order. I found myself sitting a fair distance away from my regular copying friends. This distance problem was somewhat solved with the Paper Ball.

I would write down a list of questions I needed answers to on a small piece of paper that I would scrunch up into a tight ball, and ask to go to the toilet. On my way to the door I would pass by a friend whom I’d discreetly slip the paper ball to. Upon my return, he would just as discreetly pass the paper back to me with some answers and a few question marks next to the list of questions that he himself can’t do. The problem with this method is that the person sitting right in front, where the entrance door is located, is unable to employ this method.

Copying was not only academically rewarding, it was also, for a while, financially fulfilling. I once made a deal with a friend to provide him half of my answers to an exam paper for 5 ringgit. This was at a time when my grades were starting to slip, and I knew I had to take advantage of what’s left before my intelligence level plummets to perpetual stupidity.

That was ages ago, but the memory of my childhood copying days will always linger, as I sit in the great expanse of the lecture hall, completely oblivious to what the lecturer is talking about.

posted by: Tembaga2 at 18:28 | link | comments |

Which Side Are You On?

There I was, a lone figure walking along the Gold Coast beach.

It stretched for miles, and the sand was so soft and pure. It made squeaky sounds as I walked with my bare feet, drilling my toes into the white fine sands.

On one side was the endless rows of identical apartment towers, fast food outlets and stores selling tacky Aussie souvenirs.

On the other side was the great Pacific Ocean, stretching all the way to the horizon, and the golden sun, obscured behind a small cluster of clouds, seemingly out of place in the vast expanse of the blue Australian sky.

I chose to face the ocean.

posted by: Tembaga2 at 16:56 | link | comments |

I Can't Believe It's Fish!

The pace of life is relatively slow in sunny Brisbane, and by the time evening started to set in, we were all feeling pretty hungry. Although we originally planned to savour some local fare, eventually, as in most cases, we ended up in another American eatery.

Sizzler's had this fantastic deal where you buy a meal - I chose the grilled fish with pumpkin risotto - and you get to indulge in an all-you-can-eat salad bar and dessert counter, and I, being the rabbit with the sweet tooth, could not resist.

The grilled "fish" was quite tasteless and rubbery, and I was tempted to grab the saltshaker ( which I never ever do ) and sprinkle salt all over the thing-apparently-called-fish, but my mind took over my emotions just in time and I squeezed some lemon juice instead.

Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed having unlimited access to baby corn, lettuce, felafel salad, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, carrots and more than the recommended helpings of hot apple crumble and rich rocky roads, to add some challenge to my already overloaded digestive system.

 

posted by: Tembaga2 at 16:49 | link | comments |

Destination Brisbane

After a 45-minute train journey on the Caboolture line, passing through green hills, residential areas and empty land, we finally arrived in the city of Brisbane. Excited, and quite hungry for lunch, we hastily made our way to the commercial centre of the city, Queen Street Mall.

Queen Street Mall could be a twin of Melbourne's own Bourke Street Mall, with the Myer and David Jones department stores flanking the mall on either side.

To my surprise, the mall wasn't the only thing the two cities had in common. One of the main attractions in Brisbane is South Bank, the cultural precinct of the city, housing the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, a museum, cafes, a food court and a spectacular artificial beach.

One of the main attractions in Melbourne is Southbank (note the spacing difference) is host to a performing arts centre, a casino, cafes, a food court and a spectacular fire display.

If Melbourne's Brunswick Street is famous for its hip nightclubs and Middle Eastern eateries, Brisbane's Brunswick Street in Fortitude Valley is famous for its hip nightclubs and Chinese eateries.

Brisbane also has a suburb called Sunshine.

posted by: Tembaga2 at 11:14 | link | comments |