Nasi Separuh-Separuh
anispauzi
Thursday, April 09, 2020
Assalamualaikum.
I saw a post on facebook from a university student lamenting on his free lunch box which was actually complete with lauk and sayur.
This reminded me of a personal experience during uni days.
It was during Semester 3 (short sem) at matriculation centre PJ campus.
Obviously, not many students took short semester and no allowance were given. At that time, all matric students will get some allowance per semester.
Since i got exempted from the English Placement Test (EPT) hence, qualified me to undertake a 1 year course.
No allowance means lesser pocket money.
So, what happened was..
Every day, after class my friend (Syifa') and I 'tapau' our lunch and ate in the room. Since being thrifty was the only choice, so we divided our lunch half and half. The first half for lunch and the balance for dinner.
If I felt hungrier during lunch, then the balance food will be little which in the evening, i told myself 'alamak, kenapa tak simpan banyak sikit tadi :p'
We would also bought air manis - usually teh ais at RM1.50 i think which we shared and alternately paying for the drink. Let say today i bought teh ais, tomorrow it's her turn. Then, we'd share the drink together.
Buying drinks will last until late evening - sipped it slowly and it will make us fuller when we're lack of food. Yeah.
Yes, that's how it goes mostly everyday, during the short semester.
Fuh, what an experience!
I never forgot this humble experience.
Actually, at main campus - especially during my masters study, i was fully on myself for everyday's expenses. MyBrain only sponsored the tuition fees.
So, i was always being careful on my expenses like if i eat heavy food during breakfast, then have to abstain myself from buying more food for lunch+dinner.
And the savior for that was - teh ais. Most of the time, i will buy teh ais and food during lunch. Only drank teh ais to make me feel full, then bring the lunch food for dinner. Always. Reason, not enough money to buy food twice.
Many times, after class ended at 9pm, it was kinda hungry especially after 3 hours streak of class. I tend to be considering whether or not to buy some light food - usually waffles or burger.
Sometimes, i wanted to eat ayam Uncle Bob, so i reasoned with myself, buying this means no heavy food (lunch/dinner) for that day. Yup. haha sape suruh mengade nak makan ayam mahal
Now, as a working lady and with some money; and going to uia cafes everytime the old memories flooded in. Especially when i no longer have to 'catu makanan'. Alhamdulillah. Thank you Allah. I am able to buy both lunch food + ayam Uncle Bob + shawarma + teh ais at the same time on the same day unlike before this when i must choose wisely only one option.
It was all good and bitter memories and reflecting those moments always bring back similar feelings - G R A T E F U L
Alhamdulillah 'ala kulli hal :)
Love,
anispauzi
 |
| only four sisters qualified for one year course, so we always stick together haha. other 4 were brothers (Taaruf Week IIUM 2011) |
 |
| trip to Les Copaque |
 |
| classmates for the whole year of matric study |
 |
| when i took ict course |
