What a day! For one...it has been what I term as freezing cold, and a great night out! My uni had a carnival on today.....called 'Harmony in Diveristy', organized by the International Student Committee (ISC). But before that was the semi-finals of the 'Curtin Idol' singing competition (i kno...i kno...every1 has an idol show on these days)... But it was nice to see that the contestants were from all over the globe...people from Malaysia, China, America, Australia (obviously)...and plenty others. There is definitely a lota talent over here....
I happened to be one of the voulenteers for the ISC, and it wuz really good fun. Apart from the fact that I got loads 'n loads of free food (else y would i even b there!!), it was a good way of gettin to kno how things work here. There were performances by Salsa and Belly Dancers....and also an Aboriginal musical show. Now to be honest, I really didn't dig aboriginal music, but these guys were surely talented. And the salsa dancers also offered a free 20min lesson on the basics of salsa after their performance. There were also a whole lota stalls which were set up by various student groups....givin info bout their countries, selling some home-made stuff etc etc.

One of my friends whu's from Oman called me over to experience a traditional 'Arabic welcome'...the whole lot of them were dressed up in traditional arabic attire, which was a silk gown called 'Disha Dasha' and a hat called a 'Kufi'. I was welcomed with bow followed by the greeting 'Salam Alaikum', to which I was to reply 'Alaikum Salam'. The greeting meant 'May Peace be upon you', and my reply meant 'May peace be upon you too'. Then I was served a plate of dates (the fruit of the date palm), followed by a small shot of really really strong black coffee. And after I was done, I was asked to rinse the cup with a lil bit of coffee, which was a sign that I didn't want anymore, and that I accepted their welcome. Quite an experience...

Another stall was set up by a group of aboriginal people, who were actually a mix of other races. I spoke to this one guy, who was part Pakistani, part Afghani and part Aboriginal, which also makes him part Australian! Now thats a lota parts for one person!! But it was intersting to know how people came to this country from all over the world. I'm told that Australians are actually the decendents of British convicts from the 1800's.....now thats something to think about...

But on the whole, it was really an awsome time. With the music, the food and the people...it was really gr8....n i'm really lookin forward to more of such stuff as it comes along....if only it doesn't turn out to be as cold as it was tonite....