Wednesday, June 7, 2017

me moot?!??!

Sunday - 23/04/2017

I guess one of the highlights (too early eh?) of 2017 was when I decided to join Internal Mooting Competition in my faculty...

Like seriously.

In our faculty, we have moot club which organized moot competition from time to time such as Novice Moot Competition (IMC), Internal Mooting Competition  (IMC) etc. Honestly, I NEVER thought that I would involve in mooting competition. At least, not until it's a subject which we'll take next semester. By then it would be compulsory so yeah I ain't got no choice, mate. Cries.

Anyways, most of my batch mates joined NMC which stands for Novice Moot Competition (opened to all first year students) to get the experience what it is like to moot. I mean, you can't be a law student if you don't know how to moot? And interestingly, most of them told me how difficult mooting actually was when they were busy with the competition. Moot needs a lot of commitment. Once you are in, there's no way out (ok kidding). Basically, once you enter a moot competition you will dedicate half (or maybe more) of you time at the library, doing research. I still remember my friends struggling with memorials and contract assignment at the same time. Some people even withdraw from their team at the very last minute... Isn't it scary??????????

I didn't sign up for NMC just because. Plus I couldn't imagine myself, mooting?!?! And I don't want to embarrass myself in front of my seniors. #lowselfconfidence

To cut it short, it was during lecture time when Sya and Ain asked Aishah Shaiful, Aishah Soulmate and I if we wanted to be a part of the team for IMC because they were short of two people. I was contemplating at first but the idea of doing something out of your comfort-zone is nice so I finally decided to give it a try. I mean why not, early exposure to moot plus gonna take it next year some more so ok ok I'm in.

WELL

I WAS SO WRONG TO MAKE SUCH QUICK DECISION

I DIDN'T KNOW I'LL BE COMPETING WITH SENIORS I MEAN SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?!

Moot does take a lot of your time. First because you need to identify the issues. There are a lot of issues k people. Then decide what law you should use, AND THE WORST PART WAS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND LAW YOU HAVE YET TO LEARN that was such a pain in the ass.... Of course, research, research, a lot of research is the answer to everything.

The issue this time was on constitutional law- oh lord hElp us.

We were given like two/three weeks to prepare but one week was burned because it was mid-sem break and I was busy with outbound program (gonna update on this soon!).  Even after mid-sem ended we didn't spend that much of time on the competition. We couldn't afford staying up late nights at the library. We have LIveS.

In moot competition you are divided into two teams; the respondent and the appellant. So basically what you have to do is to find legit law to protect your clients' rights. Sya and Aishah Shaiful represented the appellant, while Ain and I represented the respondent.

So our first EVER mistake was when we wrongly put the defendant's name. It was supposed to be the Govt. of Malaysia/public prosecutor but we put there Ketua Polis Negara instead??? Haha malu sangat because one of our seniors actually raised this questions when we had meeting with the moot club organizer.

While waiting for the first round. Nervous!

As soon as it ended! We were so happy we didn't go to the final round lol.

Good job, council!

Not sure 'bout my team mates, but I'm gonna talk about my experience...

Moot was really a bad idea for me. A really bad idea. By the time I know it takes up a lot of commitment, you need to read cases, you need to know statutes, application of law; I should have known it wasn't for me. I should have just waited for it to be compulsory for me to learn it instead of taking risks just to be exposed to moot. What was I even thinking?! I was obviously not in the right state of mind.

During the first round, I actually messed up everything. I felt so intimidated with our opponent, all of them are so good. Adding salt to the wound, our first opponent was our seniors which have loads of experience in mooting competition. The presented their case so well. They nailed every question asked by the judge. As I was watching them, I couldn't help myself but praying, it will be over soon. The heck, like can I get out of this place, NOW?

When it was my 'time' to moot, I stuttered a lot, I couldn't pronounce certain word clearly (I hate my accents), I didn't know what I was reading and the whole time I was presenting my points, I couldn't help myself thinking of how stupid my decision was. Our first judge was bearable. He understood that it was my first time. Besides the fact that he's good looking (ok, nyempat), he is soft-spoken which helped to calm myself down. HE IS SO NICE. The last round was the worst haha. I was sleepy and I just wanted everything to be done. It's so obvious that I didn't prepare and I was ashamed of myself. Most of the questions raised, I barely know the answer.

To be honest, it was 100% my fault for not preparing at all for the competition. I didn't read the full case.  I didn't understand what I was doing. I don't understand the issue, law and application that well. I treated this competition as if it was a road to moot (introduction to moot) instead of competition. I thought of just giving it a try. I didn't think of winning the 400 MYR. I just want to be exposed to moot. Little did I know, it brought a lot of bad consequences such as exposing my stupidity to my seniors and lecturer. Long sighs... I did it very badly. And the only thing I could think of was how stupid I looked in front of everyone, in front of Ain, my lecturer, judges, classmate, seniors.

I wasn't an overthinking person but post-mooting gave a super hard impact on me.

I feel as if law is not meant for me.

I wondered what were the interviewers thinking when they chose me to be a part of that faculty?

I failed myself.

I was depressed. I just want to hide myself. I didn't want to meet the people who saw me mooted. I didn't want to even talk about it. If I could I would list all my flaws as a law student here haha but ok not now lah. One day maybe after I graduated with LLB Hons ke kan... Tak adalah malu sangat nak tunjukkan kebodohan tu.

Post-mooting made me realize that if I keep myself this way, my journey would not be easy or that smooth. (Yet it still feels so difficult to change that bad habit...) I wonder why did I take this course in the first place... What made me so in love with law... Why am I here... How?


It takes up a lot of energy for me to feel belong in the faculty because of both the people and my study. It was super hard for me. I feel intimidated all day, everyday. Each day goes wondering how the heck am I here, reading law at the best university in Malaysia. Of all the people who went to the interviews, how the heck I was chosen? Mempersoalkan takdir- berdosa. But I can't help myself. I was surrounded with intelligent people here. Even other courses looked up to us simply cause we read law. I always feel law is not meant for me. Maybe after I graduated I should just you know... get married and become a full-time house wife? Haha.

OK shouldn't feel that way. Not healthy. I have 3 more years to endure kot. Takkan nak give up this early. Ish ish ish. Semester 2 of my first year hasn't even ended!!!!

I believe that everyone is struggling with something. I have no reason to stop working so hard for the sake of knowledge bright future and making my parents proud of me even though at times I questioned why am I here... I should be proud of myself as I made it this far. *gives myself a pat* Not everyone has the courage to take risks kan?

Senyum, Even how worse your day has been.


So... what's your struggle? :)

As of now, my struggle was to read law textbooks! Finals start this Friday, pray for me!! xoxo

Lots of Love, Nurzafira Sabrina.

Tuesday, June 6, 2017

hike all the way up

Saturday - 18/03/2017 

The best part of studying in University of Malaya, or UM was all the experiences I have gained throughout these two semesters. All of them are precious, hopefully I could jot down all the memories here.

So, one of the memories that I am about to share with you is an activity that I've never thought of doing! Guess what it was???
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JUNGLE TREKKING/HIKING

Hahaha I mean, I know right? Everyone knows I am not 'that' adventurous. But this time I should thank Yaya, Ain and Sya, once again, for convincing me to join jungle trekking/hiking at Sungai Lepoh, Hulu Langat organized by Royal Expedition club under KK12. I was actually contemplating between two programs. I should be going to TSP in Perak, under Community Out Reach program in my faculty, but because of these two fellas I decided to withdraw my name and paid RM 35 (hoping it would be worth it, hehe). 

To be honest, I almost canceled out my plan of going because 1) I wasn't feeling that well, I had flu; 2) KK12 is too far from KK2; 3) Do I really have to be there before 7 a.m.?; 4) Walk some more?? But thank God, Ain's roommate was away so she let me stayed overnight in her room just so I won't be late! 


To be honest, I was never really interested in such activities but I do have this one friend of mine whom has so much passion for hiking- the nature to be precise. He showed me pictures of the scenery once you are on top of the mountain and I was in awe. Ever since that day, hiking was in my bucket-list. 

I am not sure if this was a good or bad experience. Maybe a little of both?

Jungle trekking was NOT EASY. The journey before we reached the waterfall was so damn tough. Throughout the journey I slipped, I crouched, I fell numerous of times!!!! I brought a lot of troubles to the High-com. There were times when I just wanted to stop hiking. My stamina was a no joke! I didn't go jogging or exercises in years and now I was expecting myself to be fit enough to go up the hill? oh lord who am I kidding.

IT WAS VERY TIRING I ALMOST CRY 
so weak zz

But I kept pushing myself. I kept whispering to myself that it's going to be over soon. I would reach the destination and I'd be so glad I didn't give up. And if all these people can do it, why can't I? Anyways, I'm not sure if it's just me but I often feel that talking to yourself in the inside while exercising is tiring as if I am having a conversation in real life.


Reached the destination!!!

It took 2 hours +++ (or 3 hours?) if I am not mistaken to reach at the waterfall. Subahanallah it was indeed a very pretty scenery. Unfortunately though I did not capture pictures of the waterfall and I'm too lazy to save the pictures taken by my friends. 

Before we had a barbecue time, we played by the river. It was the time of the month so I was contemplating whether or not I should soak myself in the water. But meh, how long can I refrain myself? It was so tempting to be a part of the waterfall after years of not being able to do so cause; kencing tikus pft. What's even more interesting was when I glided through the batu air terjun!!! I wish I can upload the video here. It was so dangerous but Wani and I were one of the first girls who were brave enough to take up the challenge. No regrets. We even did it twice! That's how fun it was.

Next time; if you feel like doing something, just do it! It may be your last chance of doing so. 


Without these two I wouldn't be breaking my own record lol.

It was around 2 p.m. after we had cleaned ourselves and eaten our lunch, it started to rain and it was the exact same time we had to leave the place. I thought only the process of going up was tough but teeeetttt I was wrong. The process of going down was just the same. It was raining some more!!! Once again, in the middle of the journey, I slipped, I crouched, I fall and this time I EVEN SPRAINED MY ANKLE TWICE. I am super glad I have my friends who would help me especially Wani because she accompanied me during the whole journey of going down. She's such a sweetheart.

I gave troubles to the REX high-com and I was fully aware of it. In fact I heard one of them said, "What's your name? Nak blacklist haha," I didn't blame them if they ever felt that way because yes I was such a troublesome... and burdensome. The senior who leads the way down even asked me to walk in front of him just to make sure I was safe (I guess so). Lucky I was I know most of the high-com cause most of them are my law seniors they have been nothing but super nice to me!! 


I even lost my new shoes guys!!! Nasib baik Muaz and Kak Aliya were still at the place when the bus had moved to UM. I almost cry ok thinking what if I didn't get back my shoes?! My parents would kill me!!!

But worries no more, I got my shoes back hehe.



All in all it was a good experience for me. I mean the journey wasn't easy, obviously but throughout the process I learn a lot of things such as do work on your own phase, friendship etc.

This was my first time, hopefully it won't be the last.

Lots of Love, Nurzafira Sabrina.