When we say Malaysian food, I bet there were thousands of thoughts racing through your mind aye?

Laksa? Roti Canai? Kolomee? Mee Jawa? Oooh.. the cravings.. Yum!

For the lucky ones in Auckland, we had our UMSA Annual Malaysian Foodnight on the 3rd of May. With the theme of “The Golden Era of Malacca”, we launched our event two weeks ahead and to our disbelief, 210 tickets were sold out within the first week of launch! Isn’t that great?

Fast forward to the grand day, the committee started off the morning with our rehearsals and the food prep. Just fyi, that absolutely delicious sambal you had on that night was made by us. YES! US! The amateur cooks! Pay me a sum and I shall share the secret ingredient with you. *winks*

       

People started flowing into the hall around 7pm, trying to get the good seats closer to the main stage. Mingling around and laughing about, it was a good start for the night and we were relief that everyone is not on Malaysian timing.

We started off at 7.30pm with our lovely president, Swan, giving her welcoming speech. Her prompt speech was heartfelt and it ended with the serving of our sweet Air Bandung and the spicy Indian Murukku. Our EmCees for the night, Naomi and Kenneth, liven up the atmosphere and got the crowd going.

Our night reached the peak when the most anticipated skit started. Short and simple, the skit hit right on our lovely theme of the night. A tale of the founding of Malacca by Sultan “Victor” Parameswara inspired by our Sang “Jun Yan” Kancil and the Malacca “Vicky” Tree. The second phase of the skit was continued on by the love feud between the Chinese and Indian traders, headed by Kevin and Adrian over our sweet and demure Chinese lady, June. The romantic serenade of the famous Chinese song by our Malaysian singer, Ah Niu, and the upbeat Indian dance were finally beaten hands down by the sweet-smelling-like-the-flowers-in-the-spring fart from our sudden intruder, Ali, an anonymous Malay. The skit then finished off with the traditional Malay wedding and the great Dikir Puteri performance by the committee.

            

With all the tears and laughters, dinner was finally served! The menu of the night was the amazingly yummy Nasi Lemak (Rice cooked with coconut milk; Fried chicken; Sambal with peanuts and anchovies on the side), and Curry Chicken. We were glad that everyone enjoyed the food.

After the second round of servings, we had our games and lucky draw sessions. Everyone responded well to our games and two lucky tables won a carton of drinks, while this lucky guy got himself a return ticket, Gold Coast-Kuala Lumpur, by Air Asia X. Kudos to Air Asia X for sponsoring our lucky draw session!

The night finally came to an end after serving dessert - an assortment of cakes and nyonya kuih with bubur caca. Pictures were taken. Memories created. It was a wonderful night after all. The committee would like to extend our gratitude for your support in making this event a success!

     

See you next year!

Click here to view gallery pictures from foodnight

Today is the final day of Bersatu. We can’t believe time passes so fast when everyone is having fun.

Men’s football has been moved outdoor to indoor futsal due to the adverse weather on the first day and the uncertain weather conditions. The futsal game was fast, and true skilleds are shown in the passes and the accuracy of their kicks. UMSA went against UMNO in the first game, but after holding each other to a goal-less draw, UMNO managed one goal to win that game by 1-0. UMSA trashed LMSS 7-1 with many well-converted goals. However this didn’t keep up as the next matches, UMSA held the teams to a draw. It wasn’t enough to qualify us to the finals.

   

We were transferred then to the Kelburn Recreation Centre (in Victoria university) from WIS Wespac stadium, to watch the takraw, finals of badminton and football. Our takraw team was impressive, having learn the game just a few months ago, put up a good fight before falling to the other bersatu teams - did not qualify for semis.

    

Badminton was heart racing as one of the main player’s hand was injured while playing takraw. Leong drove the game home with an easy 2 sets win in the men’s single. UMNO’s single player for women’s singles proved too strong for UMSA. Men’s doubles went on well as they put UMSA back in the lead in the finals group match against UMNO. UMSA put up a good fight in the woman’s doubles before going down in a 3 set game. Everyone was nervous as the deciding game - mixed doubles - was played. It was not long before we hear UMSA’s cheers ringing through the court as UMSA clinched the gold medal in badminton.

      

Prize giving ceremony was performed after the finals of football. All in all, UMSA grabbed a total of 4 golds - Netball, Volleyball, Badminton and Touch rugby, and 3 silvers - Handball, girls futsal and basketball.

UMSA emerged as the overall contingent champion and grabbed the Best Female Athlete, Most Promising Female Athlete and Most Promising Male Athlete.

  

For more detail scores of the games - please visit WMSO’s Bersatu games page @ http://www.wmso.110mb.com/bersatugames.htm

(click on the official digest at the very bottom of the page)

Its day 3 for Bersatu games, UMSA is up against 3 main games : Futsal, Volleyball and Basketball.

Volleyball team played a one 21 points set for each group game and made it to the very top of the group table and qualify themselves for the semis. In the semis against Otago which was a 2 set game, UMSA was sent into a panic attack as Otago was leading the game with UMSA team making some careless mistakes. Otago proceed to win the set. UMSA team composed themselves again, played a steady game to win the second set. Third set was intense but victory was clearly UMSA’s. We went into the finals and defeated WMSO to win the gold medal.

    

Futsal was probably the most heart pumping sport in Bersatu. The players were fierce and merciless towards their opponents. The crowd screams through the net separating the outside and the inside field, shouting aimlessly to defend or attack. UMSA team, with practically no subs had to play the whole 5 games with the same players. In the group matches, UMSA won a game, and held two others to a draw to qualify ourselves to the semis where we won 2-0, two very beautifully converted goals. The finals was more intense as the WMSO scored the first goal, only to have UMSA equalising a few minutes afterwards and both teams held each other till the end. The game was extended 3 minutes, but no goals was produce by both sides thus it went into penalty shootout where WMSO won by 3-1. UMSA grabbed the silver.

    

UMSA was up against LMSS in the finals of basketball. Crowds gather around the court. LMSS guarded the players very tightly. There were quite some fouls by both sides which force into free throws each time each side foul. UMSA lost by 9 points to LMSS. UMSA came in second.

   

*update 3/7*

BADMINTON IS FULL. 

Are you ready! ASIA games is going to be held during the semester break this year. ASIA is a join forces of the major Asian student associations on Auckland University campus. You will be representing UMSA to compete against other student clubs.

                       

WHEN: 16 - 18 July

WHERE: ASB stadium, Kohimarama

TIME: 10am - 5pm

Click to view sports and sign up

A bright and sunny day. Wind to the minimum, and all the players flock into the Wellington Indoor Sports Centre in Newtown for 3 major games - basketball, handball and frisbee.

It started off with group playoffs of basketball which was run coherently with the handball game playing the next “stadium”.

In basketball, UMSA came first in the group matches and passed the semi-finals to grab a seat in the top two challenge due later this week.

        

Rushing from the basketball court to the handball courts just across the stadium, UMSA handball team did just as well to come up the top of the group match, and played through to the finals. However, we lost a close 7-9 to CMSA and settled for a silver medal.

       

Frisbee was a new game in Bersatu, and it was definitely interesting to watch. UMSA won a match and draw a match, but that was not enough to qualify us to the semi-finals. However, well done to our team for the great effort in the games.

     

                

The weather was pouring in Wellington. Strong wind and heavy rain.

At 7.15am we set off in our bus to the venues. Everyone was devastated with the weather and hope that it will soon go away.

Unfortunately it didn’t. Football was postponed as the adverse weather doesn’t permit them to do so. Soaking wet, touch rugby was moved from outdoor field to indoor Victoria Recreational centre.

Netball team, hopeful that it will be indoor, was devastated upon arrival at the destination to see, it was the worst nightmare coming true. An outdoor tournament!

However, spirits for competition was high among all the teams, especially high in the UMSA team as we step into the grey zone, not knowing how far the trainings have come along.

Strong teamwork covered with hard trainings brought home 2 gold for UMSA out of the 3 sports competed on the first day.

UMSA netball team came out the first in the group matches (beating Petsoc, CMSA, and WMSO) and competed with UMNO in the semis and emerged champion in the finals against PETUNIA. Yes, its a 1 - 2 placing for Auckland and CMSA came in 3rd.

                      

In touch rugby, UMSA beat CMSA in the finals to grab the gold medal. 1-0.

Badminton: UMSA reached the finals after beating CMSA to compete with UMNO in the finals due later this week.

UMSA would like to wish everyone the very best for the exams!!

Study hard, sleep well, eat well, smile always!!

 ps: know that “stressed” is just “desserts” spelled backwards.

UMSA is having a charity sausage sizzle, where all sales proceeds will be channelled to help the Myanmar cyclone through Oxfam.

                               

WHEN:  5th June (Thurs)

TIME: 11am - 2pm

WHERE:  Auckland uni Quad (Opposite NZ Natural)

HOW MUCH YOU GIVE: NZD 1 per sausage

The sausages are halal.

So come to support UMSA and make a difference in the lives of the cyclone victims!

More about Oxfam : http://www.oxfam.org.nz/
 

Indiana Jones is making a comeback to the big screens in New Zealand and we want to be one of the very first people to watch it. UMSA is organising a movie night out this week to watch the sizzling hot Indiana Jones: The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

                     

WHEN: 23 May (Friday)

WHERE: Village Sky City Cinemas on Queen St

Price: NZD 11.50 per person

TIME: 8.30pm

If you are interested, pls submit your name in before Wednesday ends to that we can make necessary bookings arrangements.

-sign up closed -

Click to watch trailer

The Sixth Sense, one of UMSA’s sponsors, is organising a Back to College party.      

           

WHEN: Friday 30 May 10.30 pm

WHERE: Sixth Sense Bar, Wyndham St

Treats: UMSA member gets free entry upon presentation of UMSA membership card.

ONLY those in the right dress code is eligble to enter the draw to win the digital cameras.