Life has been pretty much mundane ever since I've been given the confirmation of my graduation. The tussling with the Australians was such a terrible experience that it kind of ruins my anticipation in view of my convocation. Still, loved ones around me are very much happy for me, which makes me feel, nothing else but seriously glad and proud i managed to make it this far.
Work has been piling up, surprisingly even after NATAS is well over for at least one month. Glad for the Batam trip which came at just the right time. I'm glad that apart from my studies, I have been performing rather well at work as well. Definitely, it wasn't easy coming this far, to be able to have the experience I have today. Looking at the results charts, seeing my name amongst the top few really gave me the motivation I need to continue spurring myself on. Encouragement and praises from superior and especially the girl, seriously make me feel, I'm even loving what I'm doing.
That aside, apart from the hustle and bustle of the hectic work life and routinal schedules, I have a number of trips coming up in between. Up next, I shall explore the food streets of Penang, before finally fulfilling my little wish of bringing my parents to Hong Kong. I am still glad I was chosen to lead the culinary tour to Star Cruise with Sam Leong before finally, I'll be flying to Bangkok on Singapore Airlines (super impromtu) in January next year.
It's down the last quarter of the year and definitely the most happening quarter I reckon with so many happenings. Meanwhile, let's pray that my sorethroat recovers before my trip whereby when I'm back, I'm pretty sure I'll be showered with birthday plans and surprises from the girl. Oh yea, it's going to be a busy month.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
A Full Stop: My Academic Life
Finally, I've completed the 'movie' of my life. This 'movie' just in case for those who don't know, refers to my final supplementary paper i had to take, after I've failed my last module. That almost crushed a dream of mine, and hearts of many. Thank god, I managed to clear it and now, it's counting down to graduation.
After I've checked my supplementary results, plenty of thoughts came into my mind. I was still in that state of slight disbelief but success always taste sweeter when you didn't quite expected it in the very first place. As time passed, image of little moments throughout came into my mind, so much so that I wanted to pen it down, just because it wasn't easy coming this far, indeed.
Singapore education system, true to its reputation, has made it deservingly 'tough' for me. As young as 4 years old, I had my very first lesson. Fetching me to school was definitely a chore, as i cry whole day long. I dreaded school because to me, it's just a place away from home. Being a mummy boy, I could not stand any moment without my mother. So much so that, there was once, I ran home myself from school, realising no one is at home, I went to look for my grandmother instead, who ultimately bring me back to school without hesitation. School to the Adults then, was important, essential to our growing up, but to us, especially me, was terrifying and a whole lot of nuisance (nuisance to my classmates because i was whole throughout the whole 2-3 hours of each, 5 days a week). Throughout that 3 years of pre-school, my mother had try to find out what talent do I have, therefore, one fine day, she asked if I'm interested in going for art classes, surprisingly, I said yes (I must be foolish then). I can't really remember how those art classes were like, but one thing is for sure, I love drawing and each time after lesson, I would zoom out of my classroom and showed my mother my masterpiece, till now, two of my 'masterpiece' remains clearly in my mind, a drawing of a plate of fruits on a table and another one being a drawing of Singapore Changi Airport.
If 3 years was not scary enough, before I know it, it's time for Primary School education. Coincidentally, I was at the same class for my whole 6 years of education over there. Primary 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G and then 6G. Some classmates were with me throughout these 6 years. First two year was difficult. I still don't know what school was, how important education was and all that was on my mind, are nothing but home. Lots of moments back then. I remembered how I got a trophy when I didn't even have to run for sports day (which happens on Children's Day for Lower Primary), I remember how I pooed in my pants because I was so scared to go toilet, I remember how I was always bullied and having a pencil poked through my flesh by one of my malay classmate etc. I was a timid, and still a mummy boy back then. Having said that, I will never forget how my mother would wake up early in the morning to ensure I had breakfast and she would stand there minutes just to make sure I finished my breakfast (i hated breakfast then, so much so that i would throw the entire bread down through the window). One of the most touching moments was the fact that on rainy morning where thunderstorms were fierce, she would get me to wear my slippers, carrying my heavy schoolbag as well as my school shoes, while holding the umbrella at the same time and change my slippers into my schoolshoes after making myself dry upon reaching the school, just to ensure her beloved son get to go to school comfortably. Those times, I compared myself to my classmates, I always had ironed uniforms to wear, white school shoes (she would wash my socks everyday and my shoes weekly).
Upper Primary arrived and I realised I'm kind of happy that I'm from the Upper Primary. Somehow, the waking up early in the morning no long dreads me and I no longer cry in school. Back and by then, it's the Teacher that's the scary one. I remembered. My passion for sports, soccer in particular developed during this time. That was just the age I'm into Man Utd as well. I didn't know the significance back then as I was too young, until when I'm older, i realised, she's the perfect mother in my eyes. Before I even realised the importance of studying, my streaming arrived. I've always been an average student, therefore, getting into EM2 was a rather expecting thing to happen. I'm still the timid self in front of teachers but a mischevious boy with my classmates as we would played soccer after school. Table tennis became my ECA after my parents logically refused to let me join soccer, citing leg breaking incidents they heard elsewhere as one of the primary reason why i shouldn't join soccer as my ECA. Thankfully to them, I was so good in table tennis i almost join my private compeition with my brother, ultimately it didn't happen, but I could not remember why. Studying wasn't really my kind of stuff back then, resulting in caning most of the times. I was often compared to my bro good results but guess what, I don't really care. Constant nagging from my parents was just enough to get me into one of the Secondary Schools I've opted for.
Secondary School education was whole lot of fun. Seriously it's fun and it's these fruitful 5 years that gained me those friends who remained so dear to me and of course, thankful to those who walked through with me, changed me into a 'better' person. Secondary school was fun but the subjects was a chore. As a person who never liked studying, those books are like horror storybooks. Just the number of subjects I had to study, makes me feel I had lesser time to play. Still one of the shortest among the boys, my mother 'forced' me to join basketball as my CCA. Back then, that stupid school has such thing known as 'Non-School Team'. I was infamously known as Tweety Bird back then due to my height. There and then, I made my best friend of current. That was where we became the best of friends. Although we were in different class in the first year, coincidentally, we become classmates when we were in Secondary 2. I remembered how 'scared' he was of me because I'm just that type of irritating friend who are just too mischevious. Surprisingly, we become very good friends when we're nearing the end of that very academic year, knowing that we most likely will be different classes come next year. I had some issues back then due to my poor results. It got my parents worrying. Getting them to come to school was always a bad experience because I felt bad letting them see my results, as still managed to scrape through. I wanted to do well, but I just came, but then again, there is no excuse for that and I simply presume, I'm just not into studying.I realised my passion of cooking in one of the English lesson where I had to find an advert for some assignment, and since then, I fell in love with every Home Economics lessons I had.
Luck fails me back in Upper Secondary. I got retained. And probably that was the year my parents was most disappointed in me, which until today, remains a regret for me. Blessing in disguise or not, I'm not sure. Thanks to it, I made friends who changed me literally. From someone who was timid and always bullied to one who was daring and make his own stand, at the same time, I spoke more, groom more and that was the year where puppy love existed. Crushes happens everywhere and included me in. I hanged out with friends who really make my inferiority look as though it was and never should have been an issue. Being a small class and a great teacher, plus my regret, studying became something I should put more effort in and through that two years, I dare to say, it was the best two years throughout my academic life. Be it any aspects, the teachers, the classmates turned good friends, the subjects, the classroom, the nonsense, the scolding/nagging. All of it, I really enjoyed. These two years put a mark on my life and I learnt alot. There and then, I realised more than I ever thought I would. O Level arrived. I took it with a pinch of salt, not because it was easy but I've tried as much as I thought i already could. My results surprised everyone, my form teacher, my parents and especially me myself. I passed all, although marginal. It was enough to please my parents especially, however, when I wanted to do Shatec, my parents objected and there i poof, into Civil and Structural Engineering.
Back then, Engineering doesn't sound appealing and I wanted to go into Architecture instead as I prefer something less technical. There I go for the entry test and I passed it. Appeal successful and drawing because the only thing for that cost. Wearing your favourite clothes to school is one of the comforting thing, which includes not having to wake up early. Farhan become my best of buddy and my thing for music developed ever since, most seriously in fact. We had jamming sessions admist those lessons we had. My favourite genre would simply be rock. Music were my buddy when i rushed deadlines after deadlines. Being a course with no exams, naturally, it suited me, something I'm very glad about. I learnt alot of buildings and how amazing it can be. It triggers the creative and artsy side of me. It spured me on to do better, having learn what I liked and had interest in. Not surprisingly, my 3 years of Tertiary Education ended just like that. It ended on a note that made me realise Architecture is harder than it seems to be, and I began standing at the crossroads on whether should I continue with this route or should it be time, I venture...
Army days arrived and it was during these 2 years that I spoke to my mother about paving my future out. It took me alot to make this decision, probably one of the biggest decision I've ever made. With the support of my mother, I went into Tourism. There, I learnt alot. Probably because I've really grown up, studying no longer became a chore, instead, to me, it's a learning experience for me. I look forward to every lesson and sharing with people I know what I've learnt, from Food Science to Communication etc. I'm so into studying then that I had scores so good I couldn't believe. That was probably the first time I've seen so many As and Bs in my life on my results. That further affirm me that I've make the right decision to study all over again. And indeed, after I've completed this course, which coincidentally I've completed my National Service as well, I found a job in the industry and further pursue my studies.
Working and serving National Service was an entirely different thing. Working full time and studying part time was tough. It's much harder than I thought. My mother acknowledged it and never fail to make sure I have warm dinner at home each time I'm back from school. Somehow, I began dreading going to school somewhere through my course. Motivation is severely lacking. The travelling to Orchard area just to go school, when everyone was on leisure instead. This thought, is enough to hinder. Poor girl still had to wait for me, sacrifice her time, all because my lessons might even fall on Fridays. I never forget how we would spent time studying, right smack from last year to study for my exams at RP. Studying seemingly became a joy. Yet still, it was hard juggling between the two, yet the results was always so sweet after all the hard work.
Finally, it was down to my very final module where I screwed it. That leaves me in devastation and the last time I felt this disappointment and utter sadness was when I failed my driving test back in 2006. Thanks to my colleagues, my family and the girl, I managed to pick myself up and went for the exam, fully prepared. The girl was a constant reminder and strength and believing in me when I felt the most disheartenment. Thank you my girl, deep from the bottom of my heart.
Right now, it's just tussle with some graduation issues but I reckon I shouldn't be boiled down too much by it as I should have look at a bigger picture. Right now, after this post, all that's on my mind, will be possibly one of the proudest moment of my life come 19 October. And finally, a full stop to my academic life.
Having said that, I suppose it's not really a big full stop, but it should be a comma because life is always about learning, isn't it?
After I've checked my supplementary results, plenty of thoughts came into my mind. I was still in that state of slight disbelief but success always taste sweeter when you didn't quite expected it in the very first place. As time passed, image of little moments throughout came into my mind, so much so that I wanted to pen it down, just because it wasn't easy coming this far, indeed.
Singapore education system, true to its reputation, has made it deservingly 'tough' for me. As young as 4 years old, I had my very first lesson. Fetching me to school was definitely a chore, as i cry whole day long. I dreaded school because to me, it's just a place away from home. Being a mummy boy, I could not stand any moment without my mother. So much so that, there was once, I ran home myself from school, realising no one is at home, I went to look for my grandmother instead, who ultimately bring me back to school without hesitation. School to the Adults then, was important, essential to our growing up, but to us, especially me, was terrifying and a whole lot of nuisance (nuisance to my classmates because i was whole throughout the whole 2-3 hours of each, 5 days a week). Throughout that 3 years of pre-school, my mother had try to find out what talent do I have, therefore, one fine day, she asked if I'm interested in going for art classes, surprisingly, I said yes (I must be foolish then). I can't really remember how those art classes were like, but one thing is for sure, I love drawing and each time after lesson, I would zoom out of my classroom and showed my mother my masterpiece, till now, two of my 'masterpiece' remains clearly in my mind, a drawing of a plate of fruits on a table and another one being a drawing of Singapore Changi Airport.
If 3 years was not scary enough, before I know it, it's time for Primary School education. Coincidentally, I was at the same class for my whole 6 years of education over there. Primary 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G and then 6G. Some classmates were with me throughout these 6 years. First two year was difficult. I still don't know what school was, how important education was and all that was on my mind, are nothing but home. Lots of moments back then. I remembered how I got a trophy when I didn't even have to run for sports day (which happens on Children's Day for Lower Primary), I remember how I pooed in my pants because I was so scared to go toilet, I remember how I was always bullied and having a pencil poked through my flesh by one of my malay classmate etc. I was a timid, and still a mummy boy back then. Having said that, I will never forget how my mother would wake up early in the morning to ensure I had breakfast and she would stand there minutes just to make sure I finished my breakfast (i hated breakfast then, so much so that i would throw the entire bread down through the window). One of the most touching moments was the fact that on rainy morning where thunderstorms were fierce, she would get me to wear my slippers, carrying my heavy schoolbag as well as my school shoes, while holding the umbrella at the same time and change my slippers into my schoolshoes after making myself dry upon reaching the school, just to ensure her beloved son get to go to school comfortably. Those times, I compared myself to my classmates, I always had ironed uniforms to wear, white school shoes (she would wash my socks everyday and my shoes weekly).
Upper Primary arrived and I realised I'm kind of happy that I'm from the Upper Primary. Somehow, the waking up early in the morning no long dreads me and I no longer cry in school. Back and by then, it's the Teacher that's the scary one. I remembered. My passion for sports, soccer in particular developed during this time. That was just the age I'm into Man Utd as well. I didn't know the significance back then as I was too young, until when I'm older, i realised, she's the perfect mother in my eyes. Before I even realised the importance of studying, my streaming arrived. I've always been an average student, therefore, getting into EM2 was a rather expecting thing to happen. I'm still the timid self in front of teachers but a mischevious boy with my classmates as we would played soccer after school. Table tennis became my ECA after my parents logically refused to let me join soccer, citing leg breaking incidents they heard elsewhere as one of the primary reason why i shouldn't join soccer as my ECA. Thankfully to them, I was so good in table tennis i almost join my private compeition with my brother, ultimately it didn't happen, but I could not remember why. Studying wasn't really my kind of stuff back then, resulting in caning most of the times. I was often compared to my bro good results but guess what, I don't really care. Constant nagging from my parents was just enough to get me into one of the Secondary Schools I've opted for.
Secondary School education was whole lot of fun. Seriously it's fun and it's these fruitful 5 years that gained me those friends who remained so dear to me and of course, thankful to those who walked through with me, changed me into a 'better' person. Secondary school was fun but the subjects was a chore. As a person who never liked studying, those books are like horror storybooks. Just the number of subjects I had to study, makes me feel I had lesser time to play. Still one of the shortest among the boys, my mother 'forced' me to join basketball as my CCA. Back then, that stupid school has such thing known as 'Non-School Team'. I was infamously known as Tweety Bird back then due to my height. There and then, I made my best friend of current. That was where we became the best of friends. Although we were in different class in the first year, coincidentally, we become classmates when we were in Secondary 2. I remembered how 'scared' he was of me because I'm just that type of irritating friend who are just too mischevious. Surprisingly, we become very good friends when we're nearing the end of that very academic year, knowing that we most likely will be different classes come next year. I had some issues back then due to my poor results. It got my parents worrying. Getting them to come to school was always a bad experience because I felt bad letting them see my results, as still managed to scrape through. I wanted to do well, but I just came, but then again, there is no excuse for that and I simply presume, I'm just not into studying.I realised my passion of cooking in one of the English lesson where I had to find an advert for some assignment, and since then, I fell in love with every Home Economics lessons I had.
Luck fails me back in Upper Secondary. I got retained. And probably that was the year my parents was most disappointed in me, which until today, remains a regret for me. Blessing in disguise or not, I'm not sure. Thanks to it, I made friends who changed me literally. From someone who was timid and always bullied to one who was daring and make his own stand, at the same time, I spoke more, groom more and that was the year where puppy love existed. Crushes happens everywhere and included me in. I hanged out with friends who really make my inferiority look as though it was and never should have been an issue. Being a small class and a great teacher, plus my regret, studying became something I should put more effort in and through that two years, I dare to say, it was the best two years throughout my academic life. Be it any aspects, the teachers, the classmates turned good friends, the subjects, the classroom, the nonsense, the scolding/nagging. All of it, I really enjoyed. These two years put a mark on my life and I learnt alot. There and then, I realised more than I ever thought I would. O Level arrived. I took it with a pinch of salt, not because it was easy but I've tried as much as I thought i already could. My results surprised everyone, my form teacher, my parents and especially me myself. I passed all, although marginal. It was enough to please my parents especially, however, when I wanted to do Shatec, my parents objected and there i poof, into Civil and Structural Engineering.
Back then, Engineering doesn't sound appealing and I wanted to go into Architecture instead as I prefer something less technical. There I go for the entry test and I passed it. Appeal successful and drawing because the only thing for that cost. Wearing your favourite clothes to school is one of the comforting thing, which includes not having to wake up early. Farhan become my best of buddy and my thing for music developed ever since, most seriously in fact. We had jamming sessions admist those lessons we had. My favourite genre would simply be rock. Music were my buddy when i rushed deadlines after deadlines. Being a course with no exams, naturally, it suited me, something I'm very glad about. I learnt alot of buildings and how amazing it can be. It triggers the creative and artsy side of me. It spured me on to do better, having learn what I liked and had interest in. Not surprisingly, my 3 years of Tertiary Education ended just like that. It ended on a note that made me realise Architecture is harder than it seems to be, and I began standing at the crossroads on whether should I continue with this route or should it be time, I venture...
Army days arrived and it was during these 2 years that I spoke to my mother about paving my future out. It took me alot to make this decision, probably one of the biggest decision I've ever made. With the support of my mother, I went into Tourism. There, I learnt alot. Probably because I've really grown up, studying no longer became a chore, instead, to me, it's a learning experience for me. I look forward to every lesson and sharing with people I know what I've learnt, from Food Science to Communication etc. I'm so into studying then that I had scores so good I couldn't believe. That was probably the first time I've seen so many As and Bs in my life on my results. That further affirm me that I've make the right decision to study all over again. And indeed, after I've completed this course, which coincidentally I've completed my National Service as well, I found a job in the industry and further pursue my studies.
Working and serving National Service was an entirely different thing. Working full time and studying part time was tough. It's much harder than I thought. My mother acknowledged it and never fail to make sure I have warm dinner at home each time I'm back from school. Somehow, I began dreading going to school somewhere through my course. Motivation is severely lacking. The travelling to Orchard area just to go school, when everyone was on leisure instead. This thought, is enough to hinder. Poor girl still had to wait for me, sacrifice her time, all because my lessons might even fall on Fridays. I never forget how we would spent time studying, right smack from last year to study for my exams at RP. Studying seemingly became a joy. Yet still, it was hard juggling between the two, yet the results was always so sweet after all the hard work.
Finally, it was down to my very final module where I screwed it. That leaves me in devastation and the last time I felt this disappointment and utter sadness was when I failed my driving test back in 2006. Thanks to my colleagues, my family and the girl, I managed to pick myself up and went for the exam, fully prepared. The girl was a constant reminder and strength and believing in me when I felt the most disheartenment. Thank you my girl, deep from the bottom of my heart.
Right now, it's just tussle with some graduation issues but I reckon I shouldn't be boiled down too much by it as I should have look at a bigger picture. Right now, after this post, all that's on my mind, will be possibly one of the proudest moment of my life come 19 October. And finally, a full stop to my academic life.
Having said that, I suppose it's not really a big full stop, but it should be a comma because life is always about learning, isn't it?
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
The Bright Side Of Life
Even though the path ain't bright
But ahead seems like a glimpse of light
Keep your hopes up and hold them tight
Cos the sun always comes out after night
But ahead seems like a glimpse of light
Keep your hopes up and hold them tight
Cos the sun always comes out after night
