There is a very high likelihood that I will regret this statement, but I've gotta say, I do think I'm hooked on mooting.
*insert foot in mouth*
(If by any chance you're reading this Dr.Irwin, NO, you cannot use this to manipulate me into extending just for moots -.-")
Anyhow. I shall now sit down and blog about the momentous mooting experience which I had been priviledged to participate; Maritime Moots Competition held in Sydney, Australia.
To cut the drabble down short, we basically sold our soul to moot research and training for about 6 months, the crucial period would have to be the last 2 months. Until now I have no idea what actually drove us to stay on with all the stuff that has happened. Whatever it was, thank goodness as the experience is certainly worth it =)
One of the training sessions prior to competing
I still remember some of the issues which had arisen during the period before leaving for Sydney. Some of which are like how we (or me at least) had to literally count our food expenses each day as most of our money had to be sourced for printing of cases for the bundles of authorities and other related thingamagics. From this, I will no longer take money for granted. PERIOD @@"
"Makan pasir" for any period of time is no picnic, take it from me
Not to mention I also had a teeny weeny misunderstanding with one of our trainers with regards to training sessions. The reason was simple and trivial but the effect was so magnificient its unbelievable. Until now I honestly believe that this issue is debatable as both sides had valid reason to be pissed but oh well, what's done is done. No use harping about it =\
Training done, leaving for Sydney!
Maritime Moot team + Miss Ummi + Afif and Fara sending us off
This trip to Sydney was an oddity in itself due to several reasons.
1) the fact that our university had allowed us to use Singapore Airlines rather than the usual compulsory MAS. I guess they finally realized how much better it is, cost-wise =\ Plus the sight of watching Khairil jump up and down in excitement when he found out was memorable. It was right then that I realized exactly why his nickname is Toopie =3 Jump squirrel jump! XD
2) There was one period in time where they had even considered sending the team without any lecturer to accompany us due to problems in budget. Pergi Sydney without adult supervision, wowie junior juice! Fortunately (or unfortunately hahaha) our trainer Miss Ummi managed to get clearance at the 11th hour. Phew!
The whole team was nervous as hell, so we spent the time in the flight to Sydney reading our opponent's memorial. Bangga tak bangga *puffs out chest*
Finally! Sampai Sydney~ *hums Nemo tune*
Cubaan Khairil untuk membuat nafas berwap!
In front of University of Technology, Sydney. The place where the moot competititon was going to be held
We arrived in Sydney at the crack of dawn (okay, takdelah crack-of-dawn sangat but it was god awful early nonetheless -.-") and since the moot briefing was only going to start at 3, we literally had 9 hours to burn. Plus the fact that our accommodation only allows us to check-in around 10 did not help. Semua buat aksi tidur bergelimpangan dekat hotel lobby, so cantik hahaha!
Gambar ini rekaan semata-mata. The one on the left cannot cook for shits =p
Ahh Maggi kari dibawa terus dari Malaysia. When hungry everything tastes good ><"
The first of many food trips to the Halal Chinese Restaurant. Teramat sangat sedap *thumbs up*
Putting all messing around aside, the whole team was nervous as hell for the competition. Us being relatively juniors and all. But after 6 months of nonstop drilling I guess we were already at the stage where we couldn't stand it anymore and we were literally counting down the days for it to be over. Yes, it was that harrowing @@" Anyhow, words cannot describe the whole experience so I'll just leave the pictures to tell the story.
Wajah training tengah malam sebelum competition
Moments before going into the moot court for our first match of the day
University of Melbourne vs. UTMARA (yes, my uni name sounds funny in english -.-)
Seconds sebelum first match. Chuak chuak chuak
Whilst waiting for the judges to deliberate for our round against University of Melbourne
From left : Daniel Coombes, Anthony Graham (Uni.Melbourne) + judges (alamak tak hingat nama, nuuuu) + yours truly + Khairil
Muka kegembiraan yang tak terhingga for us first win against University of Melbourne. Until today I cannot believe we actually achieved it T--T
During break, before the second match. Doing some last minute discussion and research with Miss Ummi and Dr Irwin (thank god for Skype)
Second Round : University of Southampton vs. UTMara. WIN!! *jumps around in glee*
Respondent team: Toopie, Lazat Bab-bab and Mamak Shy. Kesayangan yang tak terhingga kepada korang berdua. Jom team sama lagi? XD XD XD
Tak makan satu hari cause chuak for competition. Habis je round terus membuka langkah yakin ke kedai cina muslim itu. FOODDD!! Sampai senget2 tudung, makan gelojoh sangat XD
Aksi dua kanak-kanak gila selepas habis competition
Breakfast in Wakeup! Nourishment for the claimant's side. Satisfaction guaranteed based on Danial's expression =)
Keyakinan seorang ratu sebelum round against University of Padjajaran, Indonesia. Go Arina!
Salam 1Malaysia dari Sydney *snickers*
Respondent team for UTMARA : Danial TPDZ, Arina Ratu Givenchy and Zharif Perwira H&M
In a nutshell, we did not manage to break into the semis but we did manage to rake in the Best Individual Award. (Until now we have no idea how we won an individual award when the certificate was written for the whole team. Mystery..)
BUT, I've gotta say I wouldnt trade the experience for anything. Sure I might have pissed off a number of people by blowing them off for moots (sorry Abah , rakan-rakan and segala T--T) but the benefits I have gotten in return was well worth it. Plus I've found a group of people whom I can call family other than the real blood relations I have.
Moot peeps, korang memang chenta hati =3
Till next time,
P.S: Shairil loves loves loves you guys. No words can describe it, I really do =)
