Elections are over. So... as far as I know, we've got a few international students up there... so we've accomplished our mission! It's about having a little more representation for international students, and we've done that. We've made them listen to us a little more, and we've made them realise that we are on this campus, too... and that we ARE capable individuals.
The hostility has died down - I'm sure they will be much nicer to us from now on :) This year we were the newcomers - next year they'll know us, and be more civil.
Anyhow, It's that time again... time where I start compiling a list of all the people who were absolutely beautiful over the past few days... weeks! And I must say, this will be quite election specific, so don't feel offended if your name doesn't appear on this list (although you might be surprised)!
First of all, let's go about this chronologically, so I can start when it all started trickling together (excuse any factual inaccuracies - this is how I remember things, and my memory is sometimes quite vague when it comes to time sequence):
** Rick: Thanks, for being the first one to volunteer to run in elections, and letting me know that I'm not the only crazy looney out there who thinks that we should be representing ourselves more than we do now! I didn't know NLCAC would have such an impact! But no thanks for your paranoid delusions about conspiracy theories which had me doing strange things this semester!
** Song Yee: Gensec of MUISS, now National Gensec - you are one truly capable person I genuinely respect - ... for having the faith in me, and encouraging the rest to do the same also (and later on, for having faith that staplers CAN be run through a printer!)
** Tammy: Sweet, quiet, intelligent and dedicated. You've been a great support and an asset, and truly, should our team be elected for MUISS next year, I think you'll be the one I have the least quarrels with! As "The Vad" would say: "RESPECT!"
** Patrick: A deeply intelligent and passionate person, with many skills that still need to be drawn out. A truly team-oriented person - you really now what it is like to support the ones who care about you, and the ones who you care about. Thanks for being there for me, and for having trust in me! We'll work well together next year!
** Catherine: ZAP! Wow, you are one amazing girl. Truly, the only person I know who can jump in between people you don't know, interrupt a conversation, and have everyone listen to you and smile. Genuinely. People love you! Who wouldn't? It's been a pleasure working with you since NLCAC, and I hope the relationship goes on well into the future!
** James: You've not long to go until you graduate, so it's a shame I'm only now getting to know you now! But thanks for supporting the team - it was especially cute to see you walk Maggie over the line holding hands with her :) Next year we'll have a good time in MUISS exec (if we win).
** Akshay: First of all, for being a supportive national convenor, but most importantly, for being a friend. It's taken us a while to get to that level, but I'm glad you talk to me about things OTHER than politics nowadays :) Although, it may just be that I don't think things are political as easily anymore, and therefore think you speak less of them? (Hmmm).
** Yue Lin: Underneath your quiet, reflective style is really a person with many creative layers to you. I find you a truly intrigueing individual - someone who I coud never get bored of, really. You are a quiet wealth of knowledge. I know I can trust you to put your heart into everything that you do. Thanks for being there to support the team!
** Kan: Speak of coming to the rescue! I'm amazed that a person can be so selfless, despite having their own commitments (and lots of them!). We've only really known each other a very short time, but I'm already looking forward to enjoying summer holidays back in Thailand in your company! Can't wait to come over and play video-games (hahaha!)
** Farhad: Again, an amazingly selfless individual! I feel like I've gotten to know (and appreciate) you in a really short time - although that may have a lot to do with interviewing you and bugging you about your past for my final story... Thanks for being there, and thanks for the hugs! I really can't wait to work with you next year - only cos I know we'll have a good time after a lot of difficult days!
** Ilie: One straightforward person :) Thanks for asking me when you were a bit uncertain about the MUISS stuff, and thanks for deciding to be part of the team!
** Sarinda: My dearest friend, as always, you are there somewhere in the background, always. Thanks for all the marvellous advice and support... and for asking HOW I AM. Not how the elections are. OK, enough, don't want to inflate further your already maniacal ego.
** Yin Chien: Last minute saviour, for sure! And always thinking of what you can do to help others. I've only just gotten to know you, but I already have a very hig level of respect for you, for being so selfless!
** Tammie: A person with a sweet and funky, relaxed style. Truly worth listening to, and that's probably why you were our super-campaigner, walking people over the white line as though elections had all of a sudden become the hottest thing on campus! Looking forward to NLCAC next year with you around!
** Kheng Ling: A great team player - Thanks for committing yourself in this campaign. I know I can expect you to apply yourself with dedication to whatever it is you do, as you have in the past few days.
** Ling Ling: I find it funny how people drift in and out of one's life, and now you... well, I guess, you've drifted back in unexpectedly! I've always repected you for being someone with a mind of your own. Thanks for being there, and thanks for being part of this team!
** Hui Kiet, Ben, Wei Han: Thanks for turning up in the last minutes to help us out with the campaign... I think I'll be getting to know you all a little bit better in the future, cos I'll definitely be hanging out in the halls more in the future now!
** Con: Hehe... you must have nerves of steel, putting up with both my factions and my complaints :)
** Jess: It's been a pleasure meeting you, since I've had less chance to work in a team with local students than with internationals. I'll be seeing more of you in the future, surely!
** Joel: For epressing what I had trouble putting in words: that the opposing team had the paternising belief that international students would be unable to handle their own representation, and that they would do a better job at it!
** Liberal team, generally: Thanks. I've heard all the negative rap about you guys, having been constantly involved in Australian Student Unionism. But I'm glad I finally had the opportunity to make up my mind for myself. Racist, sexist homophobic? No way! You guys have shown in your very actions that you were the only ones willing to listen to us. I guess, in continueing to comment on Australian politics, I honestly don't care what political side you are on. It's totally alien to me, as the two countries I come from don't resemble Australia in any way. And quite frankly, neither your Labor or Liberal has done anything useful for international students that isn't at the same time of great economic advantage to yourselves (fair enough, give and take...). But hey - ON CAMPUS, you guys are an incredible team! Thanks :)
** Jeremy: Mwahaha... thanks for taking my shit during the election :) Thanks for coming to my housewarming ages ago... and thanks - we had a good night out even in iteh midst of negotiations - you've gotten better at what you do (politically) and I'm looking forward to a few more drinks with you in the future!
** Sam: RESPECT! I like you VAD people. I'll do some VAD campaigning next year for SURE! As long as I can talk about Santa Claus!
** Keith: Thanks for coming over to Monash and helping out with the comlaints side of the campaign - really needed more unity people out here :)
** Last, but not least, MA!!: Thanks for calling me and calming me down when the stress was beginning to build up. It's good to know that you understand because you were so involved in you university years, too!
Ok... now that I've exhausted this list, I'd really like to thank, once again, the whole team. I'm absolutely in love with all the great new people I've met. It really renews my faith in 'human goodness' when I see how well people can stand together when occasion demands. And when the crap dies down, it's great that opponents can put aside differences, shake hands, and be friends again :)
Next up: MUISS elections
