As the start of a new term dawns on us, it certainly feels like we have come to an end of something. Covid is back at it again, as scientists run out of greek alphabets to name all the different variants. Classes are going online again until February (flashback to 2020), events have been canceled, and the entire world seems like it’s playing a game of catch-22 with the virus. However, Fall 2021 was like an opening in the sea of Covid: a short period of around three months where we could once again attend in person-classes, and host events without relying on zoom, and meet actual people in real life. It’s kind of hard to appreciate it when you’re drowning in exams and assignments, but it was a special time for everyone who had been stuck indoors (especially back in Malaysia and Singapore) in front of a screen for the past year.
So with this newfound freedom, what did we at MSSA do over the past few months?
Well, we started the term by putting together a new exco team. We got ourselves a new president (we will miss you Wilson), vice president, events director and social media coordinator. Later in the year we even added another events director and a writer.
With a new team in place, we got straight to work with our first events of the year. It was great to meet Malaysians and Singaporeans who had been stuck indoors for over a year in person at our hangout and outdoors orientation.
But we weren’t done yet. You know we had to get in as many chances to celebrate the diversity of our unique culture together as possible, especially when we’re 13 thousand kilometers from home. The Deepavali dinner gave us all a chance to complain about school while enjoying delicious Indian food, and we learnt that some of you were pretty scary (drinkers) at the halloween party. We had also planned for a winter hangout, which we’re sure would’ve been great if Covid didn’t rear its ugly head again.
UofT is tough on everybody, so we wanted to give all of you as many chances to destress as possible. Shoutout to everyone who came to our Hot Pot Exam Jam, Sunset Saturday, and even dinner with the high commission of Malaysia in Canada- those experiences would not have been the same without any of you.
So now, as one term ends and a new one begins, I think a massive thank you is due. Thank you to all you Malaysians and Singaporeans (and anyone else) that have helped us build a home away from home this term. While we all come back from a much deserved break, we will be up and running again in January with new events (catch us during Chinese New Year and Hari Raya) where we hope to expand our beautiful community in Toronto. Or just get drunk. That’s up to you.
Stay safe, and thank you again for a wonderful term.
Zhen Xu Chew
Writer & Editor at MSSA