Aliah's New Phase

Aliah went back to the campus today. That would be the end of the service of the Aces' reliable driver, at least for now, until she comes home again for the next semester break.

Everyone in the family sent her to Mahallah Maryam in my alma mater. She was at the Centre of Foundation Studies in Nilai last semester. The landlord of the facilities didn't want to renew the lease, resulting in the matrics students being moved to the main campus in Gombak. I prefer Aliah to be in Nilai because it is a lot closer to our home. Of course, main campus is more spacious and learning in the main campus has its advantages.

I have only been to the main campus once, when Shamilah, my little sister graduated. I was the product of the 3rd batch of IIU students. At that time, the main campus was only a blue print. The university in Gombak is probably like 7 times bigger than what used to be the PJ main campus.





Everyone was excited to accompany Aliah to her new study place. The hostel is quite cool. Four in a room and she has her own cubicle; the cubicle is a double deck, study table at the level below and the bed on top. It is like the individual room which we see at Ikea, only that Ikea's is much classy.





The view from her room.



There are tennis courts and hockey pitch next to the Mahallah.



I truly hope she will enjoy this new phase of her life in IIU. There will be ups and downs, happiness and sorrow. She was happy to meet the friends again just now. The twinkle in her eyes reminded me when I was enthusiastic and excited some 25 years ago when I commenced studies in IIU : )

Having said that, we encountered a bad experience when sending her back to the hostel the night, an anticlimax over the whole excitement. The last call to enter the Mahallah is 9 pm and after dinner et all, we sent Aliah back at 9.30 pm. The mak guard seemed to be exercising double standard when allowing people to enter the Mahallah after the curfew. Well, I guess that happens when a tired makcik be given the absolute power, particularly so when she has to do the night shift.

We will definitely miss Aliah. So used to her being at home since Nov last year. For the time being, no more kakak to boss Alim around to do kumon, to take his bath or to stop playing computer. Hopefully Ayna can take over Aliah's responsibility as the kak Long. Praying that all will be fine for Aliah and may she succeed passing her exams in flying colours.