Hello, it’s Spring!

After our long stretch of hosting the once-in-a-month picnics, we’re extremely glad to say we had the best turn out yet!

With our “Hello, it’s Spring!” theme, who could resist the fresh air, food and scenery.



YES Alumni, AFS returnees and even students preparing for their AFS exchange came for some outdoor fun.




Sentul Park was the perfect place for our picnic paradise. Big open space, lush greenery and the lake welcomed us. With KL Performing Arts Centre (KLPac) there as well, you couldn’t help but to feel the creative juices and admire the theatre-esque landscape.



As we had so many newcomers this time, we went round introducing ourselves and even played a game to break off the ice.




Some began throwing around the good ol’ American football, frisbee and others indulged in endless conversation and laughter.



Let’s hope the next picnic will be even better! So look out for our updates on Facebook for the next one (:

YES Think Tank II

YES Alumni Malaysia Think Tank II was held last Friday - Sunday, 28th-30th October at the Holiday Villa Apartment, Ampang Kuala Lumpur.

Think Tank is a brainstorming session with YES Alumni committee members, trainers and members. New ideas were proposed and lots of activities were planned to be done within this year and next year. We also had guests come in to talk and discuss about possible project collaborations.

We are really glad that everything went smoothly and was a great success!

Let the pictures tell the story :)

Welcome to YES Think Tank II :)

Alumni who attended YES Think Tank :

Our beloved YES Alumni Malaysia President

- Yah Tyng

Teri and Jim

E laine
(serious working look) xD

Syaheera

Huda

Kirueben

Charlie

Azhan

Yee Wan and Sheena

Johann and Thessa

The boy who turned 18 on Saturday!

-Satyan

Chia Yen

Nick

Teng Fatt

Cherlyn
(and the turtle)

We set up the place to have a better working environment, welcoming more inspiration!

Sometimes "ONE WORD" is not enough to express yourself. xD

We were divided into groups to work on different projects.

We had guests come in too to discuss on potential project collaborations.

The MAAP came in and we had great discussion.
Looking forward to projects together :)

We had VIPs come in as well. Datin Natrah Abdullah and Jelberter Robert from SP Setia were there to discuss on the English Enrichment Project. We are really proud of Jim for his awesome presentation :)

Of course it's not only about squeezing the brain juices.
Chilling sessions with the other alumni too :)

Teri taking a break

(Song jammed for the day - Someone Like You by Adele)

YES'11 on photobooth !

(where is Yee Wan and Thessa?)

Cheese :) Just before presenting their group proposal!

Hangout to KLCC !!!

Ka-chak !
(camera sound) LOL

Nando's moment!

Look at the amount of foooood!

Birthday surprise for the birthday boy :)

so sweeeeeet lah...

Look at the all activities and ideas we came up with!

Azhan was just too tired. Lol

Midnight twister session was awesome!
Sorry there are no pictures for this because they are all "censored"
haha!

Overall, it was not only fun but productive and inspirational too. It gave chances to the new blood (YES'11) to contribute to the big YES family and the other alumni to gather together. As always, the alumni bonded throughout thus pumping each other up with team spirit!

So don't worry if you missed out on Think Tank because more activities are coming up for the alumni. Keep looking out on our Facebook page for details!

Get creative and send in your designs!

Send your amazing designs to tericampos@yesalumni.afs.org.my

YES 2011 Experience - Jeremy Yap

Hey my name is Yap Yee Li but you can also call me Jeremy Yap. Being offered an opportunity to come and live in America for 6 months is really a big thing for me. I'm currently hosted in Normandy Park, Washington; about 20 minutes from Seattle. At first, when I got my placement letter, I thought I was going to be hosted somewhere near Washington DC. But I was told that Washington the state is nowhere near Washington DC. It is on the other west coast of America, not the east.

When I got here, I met up with my great host family. They are a really interesting lot. I have 5 siblings here. And I found out later that 4 of them were adopted. Brooks(18) was originally from Seattle, Noel(18) and Kyle(16) were adopted from an orphanage in Russia and Austin(14) is from Seattle as well. Preston (12) is the only birth son of Grant and Victoria Allen. Being in this family has moulded me to be more responsible and tolerant as I am one of the older kids in the family unlike in Malaysia, where I am the youngest child.

On the 28th of January, I joined the Pirates' Crew of Highline High School. I was shocked to find out that I would only have to take 4 subjects. And since my J1 visa requires us to take at least one English class and one U.S. History class, I was only left with two subjects to choose. After trying out several classes, Ms. Breeze, my counsellor finally organized my schedule. I am currently having, (1) Yearbook, (2) U.S. History, (3) Film Analysis (English), and (4) Beginning Drama. I felt so bad for disturbing my counsellor regarding my schedule changes but one thing that she said that will always stick with me was, "Jeremy, I know that you have come a long and hard way to get here. I will do whatever I can to make you happy, because if you are happy, I am."

The two subjects that I like the most are Yearbook and Drama. In Yearbook although I just joined the staff, nobody treated me like an outsider and that helped me adapt to my surroundings easily. I was able to contribute a lot to the yearbook in terms of pictures and stories. As for Drama, the teacher is so amazing that every single school day is ended on a high note. I was able to let go and not be so conservative because my other classmates are just as crazy as I am.

I believe that this post will not be able to contain all my experiences here in America. I have so many stories to tell. Ups and downs, tales of what I did here and what I learned. So I just want to end this post with much gratitude; thanking all the people in charge of allowing me on this YES program. It has truly enriched my life. I will live to tell my tales with joy to everyone that comes and asks me. Terima Kasih!

Jeremy Yap
YES 2011

YES 2011 Experience - Fazri Hassan

I have been involved in a lot of school activities from my arrival up until now. In the first month I was recruited by my English teacher to be a forensic member. I got my first medal in this competition. The best thing I achieved in this competition was that I managed to qualify for the state forensics competition with all the schools in Wisconsin and won a silver medal.

I am also involved in the school musical theatre where I play a role as a high school boy in the 1920s. I'm also a tango dancer in the musical theatre. It was so amazing when I found out that a lot of people were impressed with my dancing.

Then, I got nominated as a student of the month on March. I was quite surprised because there are lot of talented students in my school.



My family here is so awesome. I do a lot of chores since I live in farm in the countryside. Before I go to school, I have to put wood in the wood furnace then feed my host family's sheep.

My upcoming activities are state choir, prom and graduation. At the end of my stay here I'll be competing in the FFA state convention in two categories. That means that while I'm in here I'll be in 3 state level competitions.

I hope you enjoy reading my journal. Hope to see you later, bye!

Mohd. Fazri Hassan
YES 2011