Image courtesy of Choo Kin Chong)

This picture of the Fifth Residential College of UPM (Universiti Putra Malaysia or Putra Malaysia University) brings back so many memories of my times at University. I studied at UPM (formerly it was known as Universiti Pertanian Malaysia or Agricultural University of Malaysia) from 1981 to 1985. Time flies, and that was more than 30 years ago.

I recalled how anxious I was boarding an airplane for the first time. I am from Sarawak which is located on Borneo Island. I had to fly alone from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur which is in Peninsular Malaysia. It was a short flight of about 1 hour and 45 minutes, I was observing what everyone else was doing so that I would do the same. My excitement peaked when the plane took
off followed by a sense of relief that I was safe. I can't believe it, I am actually in the air, high above the ground flying among the crowds.

My brush with authority, regulation and conformity came about during the registration. My hair was deemed too long and I had to have a haircut before I could register. I was shown a picture depicting which hairstyles were permissible. There were already a number of barbers there and so I reluctantly allowed the barber to snip at my locks. My hairstyle is my identity and I had to trade it for my education. But the irony is that education is supposed to open up my mind and allow me to explore my identity. I am not sure whether this is still practiced today.

I really cherished my university days. Those were the carefree days when I don't have much to worry about except to hand in my assignments on time and prepare for my examinations. I often long for the good old days when I didn't worry about the future, whatever will be will be.

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