Sunday 18 August 2013

Highlights of 2011: Canteen Day

White canopies were draped over the assembly point. Voices rang through the winding boulevards, hoping for some brisk dealings. Feet shuffle in utter randomness, eyes spoilt for choice. The overcast skies seem to be envious of the smiles below, frustrated that nothing seems to disrupt anything down there. Well, that’s the SMKBU(3) Canteen Day spirit for you, all thanks to our dedicated PIBG [parent-teacher association]!

Why have such a pompous fair at such a time? Parents are through with drizzles ruining every other assembly (sorry rain, we don’t hate you that much, it’s just your impracticality), so it’s high time that the school had a sheltered assembly point at the basketball court. With the proceeds of the carnival going to the roof, it is a wonderful way for all to give back to the school for its services to the surrounding residents.

A great deal of effort went to the preparations for Canteen Day. In the days leading up to the carnival, students, teachers and even one PIBG member came from class to class, persuading students to contribute their share towards the roof. Coupons were dispensed freely, a few even buying absurd amounts to sell to others in hope of winning one of the many attractive prizes donated by parents!

Sunday, 8.00 a.m.; it was then time to open Canteen Day to the public. Teachers, students and dedicated parents readied the stalls, bracing for a wave of eager carnival-goers. Two hours later, it was thronged with people in every direction. Puan Azizah, our beloved principal, thanked all who made the event a success, especially those who took the time to prepare the wonderful food and entertainments that was for all to enjoy; officiating the day with a loud blast of vivid confetti.

Under the canopies and at the canteen, connoisseurs were chanting their enticing patter, hoping to attract potential buyers to their delicious food. It was truly a gastronomical escapade, with morsels originating from practically every corner of the known world. Nasi lemak, chocolate fondue, bubble tea, nasi kerabu, chicken rice, hot dogs, fried mushrooms, satay, spaghetti, char kuey teow; everything under the sun. Even Puan Azizah herself whipped up some delectable Laksa Johor!

Meanwhile, adjacent to the school field, people had fun at the games stalls, even though a few did not win anything at all. A favourite with the crowds was the haunted house and a haunted maze. It is a gross understatement to say that there was a queue, because the human chain could have stretched all the way to the Moon! After some screams and a few beads of cold sweat, one would say that it was worth its weight in coupons. The dunking machine and the water balloon war, too, were extremely thrilling; no one could refuse such a good soak in the cool water.

At the teachers’ car park, a bazaar seemed to have sprung up overnight. Stall selling various trinkets and goods were swarmed with the masses, in fear of their desired wares being sold out. Flowers, fruits, vegetables, books, magazines, and much more was on offer to the public. Even a few corporate bodies went along with the selling frenzy; their presence electrifying the entire carnival.

From morning to evening, it was a sight to behold. A multitude of people swarming through the school gates, engulfing the entire school grounds with a sea of people. Business was brisk; every purchase a step closer to realising the goal of building the roof over the basketball court. It was a fun day out for the family, all peoples from many walks of life, local resident or member of SMKBU(3), all working together to raise funds to shelter the basketball court. With parents as pillars of strength, it is no wonder that roof may soon be erected and that the rain would be a menace no more to assemblies and basketball tournaments.

By Kiwan Richard, 15, SMK Bandar Utama Damansara (3), Selangor

This post is part of the line-up ahead of the blog's second anniversary. All these posts will be taken from articles written by students featuring the school on School Times, the educational pull-out from the New Straits Times.

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