Merdeka
28/08/09(Friday)
Today
we are having USM balloonmen parade and evolution/celebrity selection in the
RUS101 class. It can be seen that each group members are sitting together and
many of them are wearing the same t-shirt as an identity for their group. In
groups of 5, they are wearing their own group costume using mask, sarong and
balloons. It was so amazing that their costumes are designed in very creative
and innovative way. Each group is then given a piece of paper and each group
leader is asked to write down group member’s name and describe their costume in
10 words. After passed up the paper, the celebrity selection begins and all the
students are asked to parade in the building due to rainy day. The judges are
giving marks based on certain criteria. After the marks have been calculated,
the top 4 are chosen to release the fountain balloons during merdeka show.
Also, Encik Wan asked for 4 groups of obelisk volunteers to carry their obelisk
to Penang Times Square. Since that it is still raining, the plan for site visit
at Penang Times Square for this afternoon has to postpone to tomorrow morning.
29/08/09(Saturday)
We
are asked to meet at Penang Times Square at 10am for USM balloonmen procession
rehearsal. We went there by our own transport since that the bus service is not
provided by USM. Many of them are late and the rehearsal start at 11am
something. We are then asked to gather in the mall and Encik Rusli brief us about the merdeka show.
After that, we are brought to the site where the celebration takes place. Encik
Wan, Encik Rusli and Encik Mohd Najib are trying to explain to us what will
happen and what we suppose to do on that day. We are taught how to parade from
the entrance to the water feature and the way to parade around the water
feature. Besides, we are also gets to know where our booth is place at and
where to tie up the balloons.
30/08/09
(Sunday)
This is the final day of the project
5B– Merdeka Installation. Everyone is heading to TimeSquare on that day. Due to
the transportation difficulty, some of the students went to TimeSquare by their
own vehicle, whereas those who do not have a vehicle are arranged to gather at
HBP and go by USM Komuter bus at 5p.m. Students who reach the destination
assigned their work into groups and start to work on the project such as
filling helium into balloons, tight the balloons around the site, set up
balloon drop, set up obelisk as balloon holder, etc. Besides the project held
by USM, there is actually a lot of small store selling various stuff, for
example the foods and beverages, clothes, accessories, etc. In addition, a band
with guitar, keyboard, and drum was performing on the stage to make the event
to be more exciting.
When the time reaches 11p.m., every student
started to change their costume and was ready for the Merdeka celebration.
After get things done, they chat with each other and took some photos in order
to keep the memorable day in mind. Everyone was expecting for the celebration.
At 11:57p.m., students were asked to shout “Wéwewa” with a slow rhythm. After
that, obelisk 1 & 2 and line A balloon man proceed to fountain; obelisk 3
& 4 and line B balloon man proceed to fountain; and lastly, the celebrity
balloon man appears.
12a.m, it was the most exciting moment
of the day. Every people in TimeSquare were shouting “MERDEKA” and wishing each
other “Happy Merdeka”. At the same time, the fountain balloons, obelisk
balloons, individual balloons were released, and the balcony balloons dropped.
The picture of balloons flies to the sky was beautiful, it makes a lot of
people took photos of the balloons.
29/08/09
obelisks
balloons released
friends with me
group photo ^^