Crucial Guide

At this point of time, Ajoi & Azzril are organising a buka puasa @Graha Residen while I'm spending my afternoon listening to all Jennifer Hudson clips on YouTube in my cozy room. I tried to call Azzril just now but no answer. Maybe he's too occupied with hosting work. Then, I called Ajoi, and thank God, he answered my call. Unfortunately, he didn't recognise my voice and we were like talking to stranger for a minute or two.

The biggest challenge of organising a makan-makan function in our circle of friends is attendance. I think I just pass the issue of punctuality because it's too obvious I guess. Somehow or rather, it's a habit of most of my friends for not confirming their attendance. Most of the time, they prefer to give vague answer, which I tell you, very difficult to differentiate between a YES or a NO answer.

After a couple of experiences with them, I've improved my system to ensure that everybody in a win-win situation. I make sure, no more vague answer to my invitation. This is very important because as a host you need to budget for your event properly - even to petty things like seating arrangement. So that, all invitees have a space for them to sit on, be it on the chair at the dining table, on the couch or on the floor in the living hall.

That is why I prefer to hold important events like house warming party and Eid Mubarak open house in batches. So that I can manage my function efficiently and effectively. The bigger the crowd, the more busy and panic you will be, especially for clumsy people like me.

Let me put the record straight - this has nothing to do with different class/treatment for different friends. I'm sure those who have been with me all this while can verify this claim that I treat all my friends fairly.

Therefore, I really hope that Ajoi and Azzril would still be motivated to arrange for next events although it seems like there is lack of cooperation from a couple of friends, but trust me... it is worthwhile to include them in your future get together thingy.

Last but not least, some pictures of my room:

And a view from my room. I know, not a lovely sight, especially those recycle cages and bins. Anyhow, I've to live with it my whole year here.

p/s: The title is borrowed from 2007 Postgraduate crucial guide: An essential guide for students at Manchester.