Lighthouse Edition 2 by UWA Student Guild

Editor In Chief - Kenneth Woo Editors – Lynette Tan , Christine Lau Design and Layout – Kate Hoolahan Advertising – Alex Pond Writers – Jerome Yong, Michelle Etemesi, Christine Lau, Iylia Khan, Iris Bautista, Jun Qing, Vee Cek Chak, Kelvin Lee, Weijing Heng International Student Services 2013 Committee Director: Felix Lim Secretary: Rebekah Tan Treasurer: Yi Th’ng Seow Welfare Director: Zhi Xiang Leang Welfare Officer: Darren Lee Lighthouse Editor: Kenneth Woo Social Directors: Mianyuan Han Social Secretary: Wei Lian Tan Sports Secretary: Daniel Chu Liaison Officer: Rishikesa Brahbu IT/Media Officer: Toh Hsin Fang MCW Managing Director: Kelvin Lee MCW Operations Director: Rebecca See MCW Finance Director: Jia Jing Hong MCW Events Directors: David Lim, William Wong MCW Marketing Director: Cindy Yap MCW Logistics Director: Shi Wei Sia MCW Media Director: Wendy Fan Any inquires concerning the International Student Services can be directed to iss@guild.uwa.edu.au For more information on the ISS, please go to www.iss.guild.uwa.edu.au or https://www.facebook.com/UWAInternationalStudentsService If you’re interested in advertising in Lighthouse or have any questions regarding this publication, please contact membership@guild.uwa.edu.au Disclaimer The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of the editor, International Student Services or the UWA Student Guild. Copyright 2013 UWA STUDENT GUILD

P, 22 PERTH ≠ BOREDOM P, 26 HOW NOT TO BE SEEN P, 29 CYCLING IN PERTH P,33 AN FAAQ ON MCW P, 36 LOVE: - LIFE OFFERS VALUABLE EXPERIENCES

P, 7 SCUBA DIVING IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA P, 10 A REPORT ON HALL LIVING P, 13 ON THE SUBJECT OF ONLINE SHOPPING P, 17 I EAT THEREFORE I AM

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Hello everyone! First things first…

Welcome back for all returning International Students, I hope your winter break was adequately entertaining, I spent mine locked in old archive rooms, looking at historical material for my dissertation. In other words…FUN! I really don’t enjoy what I’m doing….. I….*sigh*

I digress…

A very warm welcome to all incoming International Students, we hope you take the rare opportunity to study overseas with enthusiasm. Remember to take part in the Orientation events planned out for you guys and take the chance to get engaged in university culture! OKAY! I got that out of the way. I present to you the second issue of Lighthouse 2013. I hope you all enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy (I really did enjoy it) putting it all together. I would like to sincerely thank my two editors who took time out of their incredibly busy schedules to edit and provide ideas for this issue. I also want to thank all the writers for their patience and their willingness to contribute articles for this! In this issue, we grapple with hard issues such as Love, a FAAQ (Freaking Always Asked Questions) on “What is MCW and Spring Feast”, what to eat here in Perth and the subtle etiquette involved in cycling. I personally enjoyed the article on how not to be seen in school. Allow me to wrap this up. It has been an absolute pleasure being the editor for 2013 and I wish the best of luck to the 2014 editor. To all you guys, good luck with Semester 2 of 2013. May the odds be ever in your favour. Kenneth Woo Lighthouse Editor 2013

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Hello everybody!

I hope that your winter break has been well spent. For the freshers, welcome to The University of Western Australia! I hope that you are settling well into the new environment.

Some of you may be wondering what does International Students Service (ISS) do. ISS is the Guild Department that represents international students at UWA. We seek to look after your interests and well being while living away from home. Last semester, we managed to organize a subsidised trip to Rotto, a river cruise and a collaborated soccer tournament with the Singapore Students Society. The first International Students Council (ISC) was held in Week 13 of Semester 1. It was a great turnout by the international clubs and residential colleges affiliated to UWA Student Guild. I am confident that the partnership will stay strong, hence a better representation for international students on campus.

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Over the winter break, the executives of ISS were involved in the Council of International Students Australia (CISA) National Education Conference. It was a good learning experience and networking session. Also it was heart-warming to note that the rights of International Students being actively fought for in all states. This semester, we are planning a Health and Wellbeing Month, an International Week co-organised with UWA CareerHub and a BIG SOCIAL EVENT (am not revealing the details just yet). And come October, it will be Multicultural Week! (SPRING FEAST SPRING FEAST!) Like our Facebook page or subscribe to ISS Announce to get the latest updates of ISS happenings around campus :) If you ever have any problems (and I really mean any), please do not hesitate to look for us. Our office is located at the 2nd level of the Guild Village and is open every Monday-Thursday 12pm to 2pm. Or you can always drop me an email at iss@guild.uwa.edu.au Have a great semester ahead! :) Felix Lim ISS Director 2013

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Hey everyone and welcome to another great semester at UWA!

To those commencing mid-year, my name is Cam Barnes and I’m your Guild President until December. For those returning, I look forward to meeting you if I haven’t had the chance already. I had a great time last semester at the ISS soccer tournament, where I got the chance to meet lots of international students and get schooled in some heavy defeats…

Felix Lim and I have been working hard to do the best by international students so far this year. Felix and the ISS team have run some great initiatives and events, and have plenty more in the pipeline for semester two. We have also worked together to create the International Students’ Council, a body which will work hard to represent international students, run important campaigns and improve collaboration between ISS, international clubs, faculty societies and residential colleges. Hopefully we will be in a position to run a major ISC event soon! One of the key issues facing international students at the moment is security & safety on campus. We have met with UWA Security and the City of Subiaco to discuss improved lighting options, more frequent security patrols and expanding the help points which you may have noticed in a few places on campus. If you are interested in this issue and want to provide feedback feel free to get in touch with me. On a more general note, remember that the Guild provides so many important services. We fund clubs & societies, represent you in any academic issues and even provide interest free loans! For more information about the Guild and the services to are entitled to access you can check out our website at www.guild.uwa. edu.au. If you ever want to point out an issue, raise a concern or even have a chat, please don’t hesitate to find me. My office is on the first floor of the Guild and my email is president@guild.uwa.edu.au See you around the Guild Village! Cameron Barnes 100th Guild President

Scuba Diving in Western Australia

Western Australia has many accessible sites for both new and seasoned divers. With the Indian Ocean to the north and west, and the Southern Ocean in the south, the WA coast boasts a wide range of dive sites as well. Near Perth, there numerous shore based sites as well as Rottnest Island with its numerous pristine reefs and caves. One popular dive with the UWA Underwater Club is a small cave off West End of Rottnest Island, which is home to a family of Grey Nurse sharks. Imagine sitting quietly (if you have a rebreather) in 22m of water, while these predators glides slowly past, almost close enough to touch. Up to fifteen of these creatures can be seen moving around the cave, their white toothy smiles appearing out of

the gloomy interior like the Cheshire cat’s grin. The sharks are completely wild and approach you nervously out of curiosity, not from expecting to be hand fed. Think you are up to diving here and claiming the bragging rights amongst your friends and family? Down South, there are purposesunk wrecks to explore (H.M.A.S Perth in Albany and H.M.A.S. Swan in Dunsborough) in the Southern Ocean. There is also the Key Biscayne oil rig off Lancelin, which sank while under tow in 1983 and is now a popular dive site. Going up to the North West cape brings you across the Tropic of Capricorn and into the warm waters of the 260km long Ningaloo Reef. It is

Australia’s largest fringing reef and is also located very close to a landmass you could walk in off the beach and be swimming among the corals and fish! The Navy Pier dive site in Exmouth also consistently ranks among the top 10 dive sites in the world. Colourful tropical fish, huge whale sharks and gentle manta rays can all be found here. If looking at pretty fish and coral isn’t your thing, gear up and jump into the Swan to catch crabs or prawns, or head offshore to test your skills against the Western rock lobster. Just remember to get your licenses and watch your bag limits. Need a buddy or some equipment? Haven’t been in the water for awhile and feeling a bit rusty? Chasing that

initial basic certification? The University of Western Australia has an underwater club, which runs regular boat trips to Rottnest Island and organizes dive trips, shore dives and social gatherings. The club has its own boat too, a 400hp 9m covered boat capable of taking up to 12 divers on day trips to Rottnest with speed and in comfort. It is large enough to go almost anywhere yet small enough to allow for fun social dives in places larger operators might not go. The club has all the required gear for rental at competitive prices. Dive holidays include long weekends to Albany, Dunsborough and other locations. There are also basic and advanced training opportunities.

Join our emailing list or come to our monthly social meetings scheduled on the calendar. For more information and to get your ears wet http://uwauc.org.au/

Jerome Yong….isn’t exactly sure what he is studying this semester. He does however enjoy diving in huge bodies of water and taking photos – but he isn’t too good at the latter.

A Report On Hall Living

University Hall, once known as Currie Hall, has changed the face of campus accommodation. With an additional 3 buildings, it makes it the biggest college on campus and quite possibly, the whole of Australia. Despite the massive increase of 500 rooms, University hall occupants have managed to retain its close-knit culture. Living with 700 or so other students can be an intimidating issue. Especially if you have just arrived from a different country and left all your family and friends behind in order to pursue and further your educational career. The good thing is that you are not alone in having to undertake this new experience. University Hall boasts over 30 different nationalities

with people from different stages of life. It caters to freshers, exchangers, postgrads and everyone else in between. There is always an opportunity to meet people. The dining hall, Sir George Currie Dining Hall, is always a great place to start. Other than that, the Residential Club (Resclub) and the Residential Life usually organise numerous events that are able to provide a new student with ample opportunity to meet and greet. These events are opportunities to learn about new cultures through Global Cafes or enhance your leadership abilities through the leadership programs. Interested in keeping fit? There are programs every week to help you with that and the UWA Gym, which is situated

directly across the road, makes it even easier to keep fit. The Resclub focuses on more social activities. These can see you enjoying the evening, sipping mocktails or going on a river cruise and engaging in friendly competition with the other colleges be it in sports or music.

away to the nearest IGA at Braodway Fair, which has a variety of different eats should you get tired of Uni Hall food. The hospital is also close by should you get into an emergency. And should you require to venture further, bus stops are right at your doorstep.

University hall offers all the best aspect of living on campus. The highlight - Uni is literally just across the road. Having to wake up extremely early just to catch the bus is a thing of the past. You have 24hour access to a library without worrying about when the last bus will be. Everything is catered for. Grocery shopping is a 20min walk

There are a so many benefits for you when staying in Uni Hall. When exams or assignments draw close and you need to find someone to study with or advice on the unit/assignment, it is usually guaranteed that someone has done or is doing that unit and can provide you support. Academic tutors are also willing to help if you think you need those extra

contact hours. Multiple study rooms are available if you ever need a place to do a group assignment and the libraries are just too full. Besides a conducive studying environment, Uni Hall also provides you with places/activities to unwind and distress. A fully equipped games room with foosball, ping pong and table tennis tables is accessible 24/7 and media rooms with Foxtel television is at your fingertips. There are also music rooms, a basketball court and an up-and-coming on site cafĂŠ for a great coffee when you are on the go or just lying on the grass taking in the sun.

There are many benefits to living in a college. In my opinion, the benefits far outweigh the costs. I have lived in University hall as long as Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been in Perth. University Hall offers everything that a university student may want and need. Uni hall has been my place away from home where I have made the closest friends, met the most fascinating people and this has made my uni life a great experience.

Michelle is a 3rd year commerce student from Kenya with an affinity for travel. Her favourite hobbies are sleeping and eating, and she struggles with a great fear for spiders. She also consider herself a serial procrastinator but also very approachable. 12

On the subject of Online Shopping

Online shopping. Endless choices, a variety of selection. Good quality, bad quality. Cheaper stuff, good deals. I’m sure most of you know the delights of shopping online. I must admit, I’ve never shopped online till I moved to Perth. I was used to running down to the nearest mall to get whatever I needed. Shopping online opened a whole new world for me. In the beginning I was extra cautious in what sites I bought stuff from. I only bought textbooks online because they were cheaper than getting them from the co-op. Much, much cheaper. I was able save hundreds of dollars on textbooks. Only to be spending it on shopping for more stuff online. I’m not addicted to shopping online. I still go for the occasional shopping trip in the mall. However, I much prefer

shopping online. Gaining confidence in different sites, I now buy clothes, cooking utensils, gifts and books online. Trawling through the endless libraries online, I have managed to procure some of my favourite childhood books that have stopped being published. However, it is very important to manage your time and finances properly. You can waste hours and hundreds shopping online. Sometimes, even when you think you’re buying something that’s cheap, you tend to buy more things and that adds up. Also it’s much easier to procrastinate once you’re hooked on shopping online. There have been many a time when even though assignments were due just around the corner but I have decided to buy new clothes instead.

You end up buying junk that may sit around and clutter your home. The novelty of the cheap-and-cute item that you bought may wear off all too quickly. Or that supposedly useful item that you purchased because the deal was too good to pass turns into a white elephant. All hope is not lost, however. One may be able to recoup some of the cost by selling one’s pre-loved stuff on Ebay, Gumtree, or the various noticeboards in uni. One of the great benefits of online shopping is the ability to rapidly compare prices. For example, one can quickly determine the cheapest shipped price for a book or DVD on booko.com. au. Further, there are new phone apps that allow one to use your phone camera to scan the barcode of practically any

book and instantly retrieve the online prices. (footnote: I do believe we should try to support our local brick-and-mortar bookshop/retailer if their prices are not much higher. Otherwise we will have less and less shops to browse and feel the actual products before we buy!) Other benefits include saving fuel – coz you don’t have to travel to get stuff – and shops are always open 24/7. Online shopping allows the introvert and those easily annoyed by the constant dogging of that irritating sales person to keep interaction with others to a minimum. While there use to be many reservations about shopping online – my parents used to warn me about fraud, identity theft, being easily cheated, your details being stolen etc. – things have improved.

Services such as PayPal have improved their fraud detection programmes and banks are more aware of fraudulent activities happening. I’m not saying that you will always be guaranteed safety when purchasing stuff online, I’m simply saying it’s improved. Another aspect of online shopping that has improved is the return policy on many of the clothes websites. Knowing that shopping online means that consumers cannot try clothes on for sizing or fitting, most websites offer a return policy. Of course, the rise in online shopping is not without casualties. Brick-andmortar enterprises that fail to compete on price AND have mediocre customer service are the first to fall. One example is the video rental stores. There used to

be a video rental store near Domino’s on Broadway, but it is gone. Another favourite bookstore of mine, Borders, has also closed its store in Perth city and around the world. The price of shipping can be pretty high too. Wanting that really cute Japanese doll made and shipped from Japan or that book that you really need from the US may not always be the most cost effective. Sometimes, Amazon will not ship the particular item you want to your home. What do you do then? The shipping price can mean that the good deal you just found turns into the worst one you’ve seen. Here’s my secret, use a forwarder. Ship the item to a person in the US (most of the time free of charge) who will charge you a more realistic fee to ship it to your doorstep. And voila, I still get that really needed textbook.

And click here, click there. You’ve found and bought something you want. Then it’s the “Good God, when is my parcel arriving??!!” stage. This can be the most frustrating stage in online shopping. There will be postal delays or things get lost in the post or just the impatience that you thought you never had kicking in full force. Unlike running down to the mall to get stuff, shopping online doesn’t really give you the same feeling of instant gratification that you get running down to the mall. In saying that however, when the parcel does arrive, the wait – whether long or short – seems well worth one’s while. It’s like getting presents whenever you want. Some of the websites I use • www.bookdepository.com for textbooks, resources or just any book really at

realistic and reasonable prices • www.kitchenwaredirect.com.au - for all my kitchen utensils. Really great quality stuff. Has good gifts for friends who like to cook, bake etc. • www.birdsnest.com.au; www.asos.com; www.threadless.com; - CLOTHES!!! And shoes and accessories •www.fashionreflection.com.au Gentlemen, take note. Has choices of really good for good gifts for her, for mom. •And the usual ebay.com and gumtree.com.au I leave you with this quote. “When prosperity comes, do not use all of it” – Confucius Happy shopping!!! Don’t strain your fingers. =)

Christine is currently doing her Masters of Teaching in UWA, she enjoys spending time shopping and eating with people closest to her, as those are the things everyone does best. She tries to not forget about exercising as well. 16

I Eat Therefore I Am

The old adage posits that a student busy with school has no time to do the cooking. Okay I made that up. What is definitely true though is there exist days where we have absolutely no motivation to whip up even the simplest of meals, therefore the seemingly simple solution is to go out for a meal. Only thing is it might seem a little tricky for us international students, especially the freshmen who are not familiar with Perth to find decent eats! As such, here is a list of places to check out if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re feeling hungry and lazy. They are cheap and diverse in cuisine with halal options included for good measure! Bintang CafĂŠ Address: Shop 11/910 Albany Highway East Victoria Park, WA 6101

Distance from UWA: 11.8km Telephone: 0894729788 Opens for lunch and dinner all week Ask any of your Indonesian friends and they will tell you it feels like being back home. This tiny and unassuming cafĂŠ has a large variety of dishes to whet your palate. The mie ayam jamur (dry egg noodles with chicken and mushroom) comes with a choice of pangsit (fried wanton) or bakso (beefball soup), and is definitely not to be missed. If you prefer rice, look no further than the nasi kuning komplit, yellow rice completed with beef rendang, fried chicken, egg belado (deep fried hard boiled eggs with spicy chilli sauce) and ikan bilis (friend anchovies). The discerning chilli eater may also want added kick to his dishes with the

extremely spicy sambal terasi (shrimp paste chilli sauce). Don’t forget to wash down your meal with a cold packet of teh botol (sweetened jasmine tea)! Charco’s the Flaming Chicken www.charcos.com.au Address: Shop 9/74 Warton Road Huntingdale, WA 6110 Distance from UWA: 28.3km Telephone: 0893986668 Opens for lunch and dinner all week With a 100% rating on Urbanspoon, one’s expectations will no doubt be high, and boy, they do not disappoint. Choose between charcoal or Portuguese (spicy) chicken, cooked over real coals, and throw in a rack of lamb ribs and a serving of cream potatoes to enjoy an oh-sosinful but scrumptious meal! A wide variety of treats are also available, from salads to souvlakis and schnitzels!

Makan2 Address: 357 Albany Highway Perth, WA 6100 Distance from UWA: 9.9km Telephone: 0894702333 Opens for lunch and dinner all week If you are looking at value for money, then head down to Makan2 during lunchtime on weekdays for a buffet that will definitely fill your tummy without burning that deep a hole in your pocket. At just $13.90, help yourself to unlimited portions of beef rendang (caramelized curry) and chicken curry amongst other choices, accompanied by a choice of briyani (spiced), lemak (coconut) or good ol’ plain rice. Malaysian Dining Delights Address: 111 Manning Road Bentley, WA 6102 Distance from UWA: 15.5km

Telephone: 0424522486 (takes reservations) Opens for lunch and dinner, closed Mondays Just like its name suggests, this place is truly a delight to eat at. The salted egg chicken and asam (tamarind) fish fillet are a must try, with a choice of either plain or coconut rice as an accompaniment. Alternatively, individual dishes such as the sambal belachan (Malaysian shrimp paste chilli sauce) fried rice and curry laksa (spicy noodle soup) will give you a run for your money. As for dessert, the pisang goring (fried banana) with cheese and condensed milk is definitely worth saving a little space in the tummy for.

Opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner all week Originating from Sydneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous Bondi Beach, the only and only Oporto franchise opened its doors on 1st January 2013, and takes pride in its â&#x20AC;&#x153;fresh-notfrozen, grilled-not-friedâ&#x20AC;? chicken. The legendary chilli sauce that can be found in the Bondi burger is not to be missed. If you are still hungry after gobbling down the burger, then dive in for the flamegrilled chicken available in quarter, half or whole with six tantalising sauces to choose from. No regrets! Shimizu Donabe & Bento

Oporto (Halal options)

www.shimizu.com.au

www.oporto.com.au

Address: City Central Building, 166 Murray Street Perth, WA 6000

Address: Corner of Canning Highway & Berwick Street South Perth, WA 6001 Distance from UWA: 9.2km

Distance from UWA: 5.9km Telephone: 0892210111

Telephone: 0894741446

Opens for breakfast and lunch all week, dinner on Fridays The only fully halal Japanese kitchen located right in the heart of the Perth City shopping strip (note that the affiliated Grand Shimizu at Floreat and Shimizu Harbourtown are not halal certified). Expect to receive a big bowl of piping hot chicken udon or a scrumptious plate of tori kaarage don (crispy chicken served with a bowl of rice and salad) for under $15. There is also the little matter of a wide range of sushi rolls, available at knocked down prices just before closing time. Spice Express Address: 41 Hulme Court Myaree, WA 6154 Distance from UWA: 18.8km

Telephone: 0893303687 Opens for lunch and dinner, closed on Mondays Indisputably the best place to go for a breakfast of Indian food on a Sunday morning. Choose from the masala thosai (fermented crepe) generously stuffed with spiced potatoes, or the nasi briyani (spiced rice) served with chicken, lamb or fish and accompanied by a hearty vegetable dalcha (stew). Don’t forget to top it all off with a nice hot cup of the tarik (pulled tea). Take note that these two dishes are only available from Friday to Sunday! Other notable mentions: Bismillah BBQ House, D’Nyonya Penang, Salsa’s Fresh Mex Grill, Sara Thai, Suzie’s Prata House, Turkish Kitchen (East Victoria Park)

Iylia Khan is a Singaporean struggling in his Honours year. While he has the time, cooking and enjoying a good meal are always first order. Other interests include idolising Leeds United Football Club and Craig Ferguson.

7 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 11 October 2013

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CULTURAL PRECINCT

Perth ≠ Boredom

Just after our high school graduation a friend of mine asked me, “So, where are you going for uni?” I responded, bracing myself for his reaction, “I’m going to UWA, in Perth…?” “What? Why Perth? It’s sooo boring. Perth is where people go to retire.” That was not the only time I’ve had someone tell me that Perth was boring (though I don’t think I’ll ever forget that comment about Perth being the retirement motherland because, yes, my very own parents are moving here post dad’s retirement, but that is not the point). The point is, this does not mean Perth is boring! My near three years here have given me

amazing experiences that I really would not have been able to do elsewhere. Moving here from an Asian country (Malaysia, for you curious ones), meant that I never grew up with some of the most amazing coastlines and beaches in the world (Fact: WA has some of the best beaches in the world, according to numerous travel guides out there) and the nearest beach I had within driving distance was the garbage-filled and muddy Port Dickson beach. In Perth’s beaches you can go all out – surf, jet ski, wind-surf and more. In fact, friend of mine who was a Norwegian exchange student was only meant to stay here for a semester. She ended up staying for over two years because she fell so in love with Perth’s sun, sand, and surfing. So if you feel like Perth is a dead-

end, sleepy, I’m-bored-out-of-my-mind retirement city, here’s a quick rundown of what this place really has to offer – and there really is something for everyone! For the artisans and culture geeks: Perth has made much headway in establishing itself as city that thrives on arts and culture. Did you know that there are dozens upon dozens of art galleries here? The most established would be the Art Gallery of Western Australia in Northbridge’s cultural centre, and entry is granted with any small monetary donation. The same goes for the National Science Museum. They have even held exhibitions and shows that featuring rock bands or wedding gowns! Have you caught any plays recently? The State Theatre of Western Australia, also

known as the Heath Ledger Theatre, is a swanky and state-of-the-art performance hall that showcases so many classic plays and performances. Plus, as a student, you can get fantastic discounts! Perth also has an annual International Arts Festival and holds numerous film festivals and street festivals (did you catch the ones on Leederville and Beaufort?) that sell plenty of knick-knacks and international foods, showcase art and skateboarding demonstrations, and provide activities for the whole family. For the music-lovers and gig-hunters: Perth is also on the map for celebrities, bands, and musicians. Were you able to catch the Future Music Festival or Big Day Out? The Red Hill Auditorium has

also showcased amazing acts like Bon Iver and Sigur Ros. Sure, the Perth Arena may not be the sexiest building out there, but you must admit that we have had some famous celebrities coming in for live shows. Mount Lawley’s Astor Theatre even hosted PostSecret founder Frank Warren when he finally came to visit us on the last leg of his Australian tour. He saved the best for last I must say. Did you know that music gigs and live performances are held in different venues every day of the week? The Moon, for instance, holds live solo performances on Wednesday nights, and Fly by Night Music Club in Fremantle does super fun themed nights. I went to a 60’s themed Motown night a few weeks back. My girls and I clearly had a massive age gap

with the rest of the crowd, but it was still one of the best dancing nights of my life. Or would you rather watch others dance? The Brass Monkey gives Burlesque shows for free on Wednesday nights. Yes, that would be gorgeous dancing women in lingerie costumes and nipple tassels. For the health and fitness buffs: Cycle, cycle, cycle! Perth’s scenic bike paths are offer something every visitor needs to experience. As UWA students, you’ve most likely driven by or taken the bus alongside Mounts Bay road. Cycling by that road allows you a close up view of that water, one that is beyond beautiful. Perth has got a great reputation for holding charity runs and marathons

too! Raise money for a good cause or simply sign up for a volunteer position. Either way, you’ll be making a positive difference in the community, as well as in your mental and physical health. And last but not least, for the foodies: The sheer number of cool cafés, bar venues, and restaurants that Perth has to offer is unbelievable. Check out Jamie Oliver’s new Italian restaurant (well worth the 1.5 hour wait!), or Gordon Street Garage, a garage-turnedrestaurant hidden gem. Then there is Café Myriad, where you can nurse a cup of coffee and play some board games with your mates. While you are at it, do not miss out on Sayers, the Tuck Shop Café, and Toast for great breakfasts or the swanky restaurants in Burswood

for those special occasions! From one foodie to another, Perth’s plethora of dining opportunities that will not let you down. Remember, boredom is for the boring. Find a taste for life and adventure in Perth and you can kiss your boring days goodbye.

Iris is a third year Communications Studies student majoring in English literature. She loves eating vanilla-flavoured desserts, reading fiction, and photographing people and places. She hopes to one day work for National Geographic. 25

A short write up of How to not be seen in school.

School, the institution where like-minded people go to gain knowledge, learn life skills and along the way -spread rumours, gossip about people, be the center of attraction, ogle at girls/guys, hook up with that hot chick/guy, sleep in lectures because your bed just wont do, copy homework, chase debts, form gangs to ostracize other people, steng( to take without returning) your friendâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stuff( mainly cigarettes, pens, books, notes and other consumables), make noise with your mates in tutorials to bring down the bell curve in tests and the list goes on and on. School is a complex and intricate place with relationships woven and knitted around each and every student. Of course , I am just exaggerating( or am I?), School is a fun and friendly place where teens hang out ,gain new knowledge and have fun! Butâ&#x20AC;Ś.there

are just times you have to steer clear of public/your friends for many various valid and understandable reasons. It could be a bad hook up or an incident of beer goggles ( its happens) the previous night at the club, it could be that 5 dollars you borrowed last week but hey! You’re only left with 4 bucks in your wallet now and the atm is too far or out of the way…. then you remember you’ve got that 3pm class with your friend. It could also be its just one of those days you feel like a ninja on a secret mission, and somehow interacting with people would jeopadise your mission or you know if you go to uni today you will see your once a week “long lost best friend” who suddenly contacts you out of the blue to copy your tutorial work. Of course, University is exhausting with so many different experiences and people’s expectations, its perfectly understandable to want to not be seen in school. I Understand.

Thus, this article is to inform you ways and methods of how not to be seen in school, to better prepare you for this adventure we call ‘University Life’. 1. Put all your lectures and tutorials early in the mornings on Monday or late evenings on Friday. This is quite obvious, if you understand no explanation is need. If you don’t, no explanation is possible. 2. Find a target in school, someone who has similar physique as you, observe his choice of clothes and style. Wear matching style and clothes as him. So when friends see you from a distance, walk away quickly. And when they ask, just say they saw wrongly, it’s the other guy. 3. Find a route of exit and entrance where a very little percentage of people

use that route. This highly decreases your chance of seeing your friends- Math always works and statistics don’t lie. 4. Go to a different faculty library to study. Tested and proven, don’t ask me why. 5. Wear dark coloured clothes, preferably long sleeve with a cap and stay in the shade, this creates a natural camouflage with your surroundings, like ninjas. 6. Give a message to the people you want to avoid, tell them to meet for lunch at a certain location- there you can safely be sure they are there and fly their aeroplane when they msg you, citing reasons of distress and woe but you are

actually in school doing your own stuff. Use this method at your own risk. 7. The invisible girlfriend/boyfriend/ best friend theory- suddenly everyone’s talking about how busy you are with your new girlfriend/ boyfriend/best friend and you don’t have time for them, but then again….no one has really seen her/him/it?…..hmmmmmmm. Of course, there are many many more ways to avoid being seen in school and we learn as we progress in our University life. Feel free to tell me if you know anymore, since sharing is caring~ and do say hi if you see me in school (or can you? Hehe)

Junqing is a student at UWA and has no idea what he is studying there (ed. note: even I don’t know what he is studying). He enjoys stuffing his face with matcha ice cream, salt and vinegar chips. He’s always mean but everyone thinks he’s joking. 28

Cycling in Perth

1. How it all began As a newcomer, I noticed Perth’s cycling culture – numerous cyclists everywhere, riding for sport or to uni/work. I was impressed, as cycling was something I had taken up back home in Singapore because I loved to explore places that were not easily accessible on foot or by bus. It wasn’t until my second year that I purchased a bicycle using money saved up from my part-time jobs. In search for a suitable bike, I first went to the two bicycle shops near UWA: TBE and Glen Parker. Their steep prices drove me to search for a “pre-loved” bicycle. I scoured the Perth Gumtree website and the university noticeboards. Eventually, I purchased a second-hand

Avanti Corsa roadbike from a friendly 70-year-old Italian gentleman whose ad I found on the Quokka newspaper. During the latter part of my second year, I got another bike. Well, half a bike actually – a unicycle from the Circus Shop in Maylands. Easy to park, low risk of theft, and fun! For those thinking of learning, go for it - it’s actually easier than you think. 2. Routes The fantastic weather (well, most days) is one reason why cycling in Perth is so fabulous. Further, it’s never difficult to find peaceful paths or serene streets. One of my favourite routes is the 15km Causeway Loop: UWA to Barrack Street Jetty, across the Causeway, along the South Perth foreshore, across the Narrows Bridge, and back to UWA. It is

a pleasant route that does not require any riding on main roads. At night, one can view the beautiful cityscape from the South Perth side. One can also ride along the Swan River as far as one wishes. If one wishes to do longer distances for training, a popular uninterrupted route runs along the Kwinana Freeway all the way to Rockingham and beyond. One can choose to do a loop around the Canning River area (Shelley/Manning) or around the Swan River (Bicton/Peppermint Grove). Another scenic option is to ride along the beachfront from Cottesloe to Hillarys Boat Harbour and having a coffee or fish and chips before heading home. In need of a fitness challenge around the UWA area? Look no further than nearby King’s Park: Ride past University Hall,

then warm-up up Forrest Drive. The main “attraction” we are looking for is Mount Street, where a steep 300m ascent will have one huffing and puffing to make it to the top. If that’s too easy, try a few laps!

afford to live in the Matilda Bay area, surely one can afford cheap front and rear lights from the other “bay”? Indeed, lights and a helmet are not optional if one adheres to the law in Perth.

Unfortunately, mountain biking options are few and far between in the metropolitan area. Proper off-road trails can be found out of town in places like Kalamunda.

I have found the “keep left” rule very useful, especially with the white dashed centre line on bicycle paths. Imagine the dangers if they were just like pedestrian paths with no lines and no common understanding! If one chooses to ride on the road, one should remain alert and ride defensively. In other words, be cautious even if it is your right of way a cyclist will always lose to a car! Use hand signals to indicate your intentions, especially at roundabouts – drivers are often impatient.

3. Safety Oftentimes, I chance upon cyclists riding around uni or on Fairway/Broadway at night without lights. It spooks me when a light-less cyclist in dark clothing appears out of thin air. Reflectors are seldom visible enough – especially when cyclist or car is moving at speed. If one can

4. Love your bike Look around any bicycle rack in uni and you will see a number of abandoned bikes. The most telling signs are flat tyres and a rusty chain. These “casualties” could be minimized with a little care, and will go a long way to preserve the investment. Bikes are like cars – they need servicing to function well. Personally, I learnt out of necessity (don’t wanna get stranded) and to avoid the high cost at the bike shop. Not to mention that these skills can be useful for years to come. All one needs is a modest toolkit, instructional videos (try Madegood.org), and a little abstinence from Facebook. Include in your toolkit a pump, tyre levers,

multitool (hex keys, screwdrivers, etc), spare tube, spanner, and WD40. With these, one can repair the most common problems: gears, punctures, brakes, and cleaning/lubrication. If I were to choose only one thing to check, I’d vote tyre pressure. Getting the pressure right (it’s embossed on the tyre) will extend the life of the tyre, prevent punctures, improve rider control and reduce cycling effort. There you go – cycling in Perth in a nutshell. For those unsure whether to start, don’t hesitate – get a bike, grab a friend (or two) and go for it! Note: Visit the UWA Bicycle Club Facebook page for rides and info.

Vee Chak is a recent graduate in Hydrogeology. His interests include strength training, torchlights, and gawking at bicycle hipsters. Photographs by Vee Chak and Lance Yen. 32

An FAAQ on MCW

Multicultural Week. Two words that resonate throughout the halls of the UWA Student Guild. This is the largest student-run event on campus, pulling together the efforts of over 80 UWA students into one week of celebration, to show off the cultural diversity of the Western Australian Community. Multicultural Week is supported by organisations that include the UWA Student Guild, the International Students Service, and LotteryWest. The beginning of Multicultural Week can be traced to one event: Spring Feast. Although it was from this one event that the week was born, Spring Feast remains the dominant attraction of Multicultural Week. What is Spring Feast though? Spring Feast is a night market, filled

with food from all different countries and cultures. What better way is there to share and experience culture than through the common love for food, right? In 2013, we aim for a bigger and better Multicultural Week. Not only are we celebrating the Centenary of the University of Western Australia, but the 15th consecutive year running Multicultural Week. In the first semester alone, what is normally considered a quiet time for Multicultural Week turns out to be quite the opposite. In March, we celebrated Harmony Week, engaging students in Cultural Mini-Games with several small prizes up for grabs. In April, we engaged the student body in celebrating Swedish

culture, with a Swedish Meatball fundraiser, selling off an amazing 3,000 meatballs. From April onwards, we finalized our set list of events, and proceeded to design and plan for them. Our Media and Marketing Departments, headed by Wendy Fan and Cindy Yap respectively, work hard throughout, promoting our events and our presence to businesses, students, and the general public. Our Events Department, headed by both David Lim and William Wong, is in charge of the organization and running of our actual set of events. Our Logistics Department, headed by Shi Wei Sia, is primarily in charge of equipment hire, setup, and distribution; as well as floor plans and event registrations. Alongside myself, we also have Rebecca See, Operations Director who is in charge of the general operation of

the whole committee, taking care of important tasks such as communication through the committee, record keeping, and helping departments to work together. We also have Jia Jing Hong, Finance Director, who is in charge of budgeting, money transactions, and grant applications and acquittals. Together, the Operations Director, Finance Director, and I, the Managing Director, oversee the tasks and duties of the committee. Being part of something that has the potential to make a change in the world around me is one of the things that Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve always loved, and that keeps me motivated. That is what I believe Multicultural Week to be. When I joined the committee in the beginning of 2011, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Over the year, however, I saw how hard the committee had been working, and how much we, as the individuals

within the committee, wanted this to succeed. The cause may be multiculturalism, but what the committee members take out of it is much more. We learn to work together, we make long-lasting friendships, and we become exposed to areas of work that are simply not taught, even at a university level. I took on the position of Managing Director for 2013 because I believed that although we had some great past achievements, there was plenty of room for improvement, and I believed I could make that happen. This year, things have changed. Instead of a week of festivities in October, smaller events will be hosted throughout the year to raise awareness of both multiculturalism, and us - MCW. Events are going to accommodate more participants. Marketing is being pushed to its limits.

Committee members are more involved. We are working hard, and working together, having much fun and gaining experience along the way, and there is no doubt that this year’s Multicultural Week will be something spectacular. Come along to Multicultural Week, being held from October 7th to 11th in 2013. For more information, check out http://www. multiculturalweek.org. There’s plenty of information about our history, events, sponsorship, and much, much more. Also don’t forget to follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/multiculturalweek or if you have any enquiries and want to ask us directly, you can always send me an email at kelvin.lee@multiculturalweek. org or enquiries@multiculturalweek.org. We look forward to seeing you all for a spectacular Multicultural Week in 2013!

Kelvin Lee is in his final year studying a Bachelor of Engineering (Software), on the side he works as an ICT Support Officer in the Guild as well as being the Managing Director for MCW. He has a….err….strong interest in Pokemon as well as technology and TV series. 35

LOVE: Life Offers Valuable Experiences

“How did you do it?’ my eyes burned with excitement while asking a friend of how he won the heart of his fair lady. “I didn’t know that something was going on between you both” I exclaimed, he blushed slightly and chuckled to himself. ‘It all started when I first laid my eyes on her’ he said with a soft sweet voice (ed. note: Seriously? Soft Sweet Voice?). ‘Her eyes glowed like the stars as they met mine’ and he went on and on and on. After listening to him for two whole hours, my ears felt that it had taken in too much love for a day. It’s a season of love! Watching friends bloom into new couples on a monthly basis reminded me of wild flowers in spring time. It has been going on since

February when I see new couples forming on a monthly basis. I chuckled as I thought to myself “which couple will form next month?”. Then came the teasing and the matchmaking, but I guess it would never work. I believe there needs to be something more than just teasing and matchmaking, a deeper connection. And so I started my investigation. In fairy tales, every princess dreams to be rescued by her shining knight, and every knight has to put on his shining amour, grab his noble stead and face the big bad dragon( and hope that he does not become barbecue or dragon snack). I find it so true in this game of love and war. In this game, all is fair in love and in war. During those “interviews” I realized

that it’s the shining knight that took the first move. It’s the knight that has to wield his amour, summon all his courage to face the big bad dragon and to hope for the best. In my opinion it seems that men are the first to show his cards while women tend to hold back their cards (I may be wrong here). Men must be chivalrous and take initiative to lead. For those knights not feeling strong or brave, think of it as this way, if you don’t try, you’ll never know. So to all the knights out there, I wish you the very best! (Don’t forget to bring your intellect as well; sometimes it’s not all about who has the biggest sword (eww…) or biceps…) So what do princess do then? You may ask. Wait around locked up in the high

tower doing nothing? I believe not. In my opinion, every princess needs to wait for her prince. They say it’s like fishing, the bigger the fish, and the greater the demand for the fish. So in order to catch the biggest fish, the fisherman has to be better than the rest. Therefore to attract the right guy, you have to first be the right girl. What is right then? I believe that being right is having certain qualities of a princess such as cheerful, confident, healthy, giving and so on and so forth. Chase your dreams and be the best while waiting, you don’t want to meet him when you aren’t at you best correct?

accompany you, someone to share those personal thoughts with, someone to fight with and someone to compromise for. Romance is good but it isn’t easy. It teaches a lot about what really is love all about. A well respected friend told me once, to love is to sacrifice. I hope you have understood a little more about Romance and to all you love birds out there to stay loving to each other.( ps to the pre love birds, may you find that special bird soon)

In summary, I believe that there is no right or wrong person. It is just someone that you want to share life with, someone to

Weijing Heng just finished his final semester of his Commerce Degree and intends on being an accountant in the future. He loves to go on adventures and to learn new hobbies. He lives to eat and play sports like tennis and basketball. 38

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