Spell Champ Trip

            I was in English class together with my other classmates, focusing on Sir Johnny Ahmad who was conducting the class. Sir Johnny is one of the best lecturers that I had. He’s nice and funny. Every class with him will always be full of joy and laughter. He treated us as if we’re his very own children. No intention to brag but I was one of his best students in class during that time. Never once I got scolded by him and I never failed to complete all the assignments he gave us.

            Until one day, while we were all busy doing the tasks he gave us, he suddenly called my name. He sounds so stern, and serious I should say. It makes the rest of the class turns to look at me. I was wondering what I have done that he suddenly called me like that in class. Everyone know, every single person in the class know if Sir Johnny is angry, its either you get out from the class or he will be the one to leave the class.

            “Yes, sir?”, I finally answered.

            “You don’t talk much today..”, he said, realizing I look a bit worried. “I barely talk much on other day and other class too, sir..”, I smiled to him.

            “Come in front and give me your full name, student ID and phone number..”,

            “What for, sir? What did I do wrong?”,

            “Nothing.. You’re chosen as one of the student to represent our campus in Spell Champ Inter-Campus Challenge.. You’re flying to Pahang this Friday together with another two students from group A..”,

            Speechless. That was the one and only word that suits me that very moment. Somehow, I felt uneasy that time. I keep wondering why me when there’s also another student who can do better. However, that Friday, our journey to Pahang starts after I’m done with my mathematics class. I make friend with the two other student, Doreen and Norman during our first meeting and we get along really well in a very short time.

            Right after we get down from the plane at LCCT, the bus from UiTM Jengka has already waited for us. We continue our journey together with the team from Sabah. The journey took about 4 hours so the driver stops at a Rest and Relaxation place somewhere near to Cameron Highland. We had meals there and continue with our journey soon after. It was already 10pm when the sign ‘Selamat Datang ke UiTM Pahang Kampus Jengka’ finally appear in front of us. Everyone bids good night and the rest of the night was spent for practice and ends up falling asleep with the papers that contain almost all words from dictionary in hands.

            The next morning, Sarawakian and Sabahan team meet up again and we went to the competition hall after we had our breakfast. I remain silent as the others were happily chit chatting with each other. Reality hits me that the three of us was not only representing UiTM Kampus Samarahan, but we’re representing UiTM Sarawak. It makes me much more nervous than I was before. I feel so burdened that time, even until I’m on the stage with other contestants from other states.

            Everything went well until both Norman and Doreen got ousted since they spelled the words given to them wrong. I became more and more nervous, now everyone depends on me. My shoulders suddenly feel so heavy again, heavier than it was this morning. I end up failing at the semi-final. The word ‘astigmatism’ killed me as I have never heard of it before. I was disappointed with myself but Miss Christine and the rest of the team including the Sabahan team keeps cheering me up.

            The competition was won by the home team, UiTM Jengka themselves and all the participants gained their certificate as an appreciation for taking parts in the competition. We took pictures together, so the memory will remain forever. Our team leave for Kuching at the same day in the evening while the Sabahan team will leave tomorrow for they still wanted to look around Pahang and do some shopping.

            It was short, but it was also memorable for me. Not only I’ve got the chance to finally travel outside of Sarawak, I’ve also got to make new friends, gained experience and create new memory in my life. I regret nothing; in fact I’m really grateful up until today. Although it was not really a trip where I went for holiday to have fun but it was so precious to me. I never imagined encountering something like this in my life and I’m hoping I could experience more in the future.

By,

RafidahZul