Celebration of Learning 2011

Celebration of Learning marks the end of the 3 years in Poly.

Today, each of us was given a rose and received our SIP certificate to certify that one had completed the internship.

It was our last chance to take photos as a class and with teachers. Alas, I didn't manage to take a group photo with my project group mates. Hopefully, we can do that during graduation. I'm glad I stayed for a while to take pictures with some lecturers who taught me before. I am a very sentimental person who is nostalgic. Too nostalgic for my own good.

I also took pictures of the Director's Honours List AY2009/2010 board as my name was on it. Yes, it was one of the proudest moments of my school life. One of the few times I actually got recognised.

I, too, signed on as a alumni. No harm doing that, I figured.

All in all, it was a good event, too bad on the photos. Looking at the school, I realised that I have many fond memories. Projects and exams get on me, but seeing the results, it is almost worth it. Sighs, and now it's over.

Graduation next.

The Year Gone By

Woah, hold that champagne bottle! New Year is not here, not yet anyway.

Where has the year gone?! I wonder. It seems like I just read the newspaper about the The Aughties and write that post to celebrate 2010.

Looking back, 2010 is a year filled to the brim with events and memorable memories.

The inaugural Youth Olympics Games held in Singapore, now who can forget that? It was a defining moment for us as we stood in the stands at The Float singing the National Anthem and world youth athletes celebrated their legacy. We are part of history.

Riverdance at Marina Bay Sands is another first. Riverdance tours is bidding Singapore goodbye and I am so glad that I managed to catch it live, for the first time at the gleaming new Marina Bay Sands theater.

Not to mention, this is our first time staying at Marina Bay Sands, in a suite no less. The view from the Sky Park is amazing and now I see can why it is the new jewel in the skyline of Singapore.

I got into Director's Honours List 2010 which made the past year of hard work worth it. I have been waiting for that day for one year. To earn that certificate is more than what I deserve.

How could I forget the 11weeks of internship that haunts me till this day. It was, overall, a good experience but I wouldn't want to do it again. Now, that is one thing best left in the past.

On the entertainment side, 2010 earns special mention for "movies of the year". There is the start of an end - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, Eclipse, Rapunzel: A Tangled Tale, How to Train your Dragon, Alice in Wonderland etc.

There is also the grand opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park at Orlando, Florida, World Cup at South Africa which Paul the Oracle Octopus got famous, the problems-packed Commonwealth Games at India and many more.

Orchard Road flooding, anyone? Where passers-by were trapped by knee-height muddy waters along the prized shopping belt. Now, that was memorable because up till that day, flooding in Singapore is close to non-existence.

Other more sombre matters to note are Mdm Kwa Geok Choo's passing - others would remember her as the late Mrs Lee, the Downtown East fatal slashing where apparently gangs are still thriving in Singapore.

Like always, I don't want the year to end. It's too fast, always too fast for me to play catch up. I look back and think, why? Year 2010 leaves much to be desired and yet, 2011 is not any better. For a start, the first 2 months are jam-packed of exams and projects submissions and did I mention, I am graduating.

DHL ceremony 2010

Yesterday was when I got on stage to collect my Director's Honours List award.

I reached the convention centre by 5pm and sat in an almost empty room for almost an hour.

My new heels are literally killing me slowly. My toes were like crushed, still I do love the heels. Slowly, more students arrived. The AY2009/2010 freshmen side were almost filled up while the AY 2009/2010 junior side had seats empty.

My row was the worst, only 3 students were there. I saw some friends who are in other diplomas getting this award too.

It started out with an corporate video of TP and how TP came to be. For some reason, I felt a torrent of emotions ran through me. I don't know, perhaps I just feel like something was right for a second.

Everything happened so fast then. Row by row, we made a big turn to the side and as our names got called, we went on stage to collect the certificate from the director of Business School. I was a little afraid of making a fool of myself.

My name was pronounced wrongly and I thought "It just have to be my name", walked the best I could and shook hands with the Director. Camera light flashed and I was off the stage. I just sincerely hope that the pictures turned out right.

There was a performance from a student and the event ended. My parents and I didn't stay for the buffet though. Somehow, as much as my feet hurt, I wanted to stay. But, oh well. I did saw a former lecturer and he congratulated me.

And I love the feeling. Why not? Something in my life went right and I feel proud. Almost 14 years of schooling and this is the first major achievement I made.

In Which We Cheer & Lament

"What if being good is not enough anymore"

So, I have 2 As as of now.

It's not much, seeing it's just a small hurdle passed. But, a hurdle, no matter how small or easy, is still a hurdle passed. And if I can make a leap over that, why not? It's only going to help me pick up momentum.

I have an A for Special Interest Tourism test which a lot of people didn't do well so I was quite proud of myself. I have another A for Managerial Accounting. That paper was quite easy though. Still, at least 20% is secure with a high A.

Sometimes, I wonder if what I am pushing myself is worth everything. But, I guess it does, even if it is for myself more than others.

The desire for excellence is no longer a want, but an obligation and a need. Eyes are on me to see a tumble and I am not going to do that, not at this situation. I needed those grades.

There is only a path for me as of now and that is to do well and get As. I am literally trying to make both ends meet.

I can't believe I can't get the scholarship money from the clan association this time. It's so stupid actually. I didn't fill in the form properly, they sent it back and I sent it back after filling it. I can't believe the deadline went past!

Yes, there is nothing to do about it, but I can't help but lament the money lose. It dropped down for me and I didn't manage to catch it. It's $200+, I can do so many things with it!

I can only pretend it doesn't hurt. Next year won't be so great, would it? Let's see. Well, at least, this time, I have the DHL certificate to be content with. Just like last year I had the money to be content with. Sighs.

Director's Honours List 2010

Ho Ho Ho! Finally! It's a dream come true for me!

Last year I was disappointed I didn't get into the Direct Honours List. Guess what?! I got in this time round!

Wow, I would say I can't believe it, but in truth, I can. I work hard for one whole year, semester 2.2 was extremely gruelling but I pulled through with all As and distinctions.

Yes, now my efforts paid off and instead of the more subtle results slip, I can have my parents attending the ceremony.

I've to say this is my and their first time attending such event. This is the moment of glory and pride for me. I am going to treasure it like no other. One more happy moment to add into the list.

In all my school life, I didn't get close to getting awards. Recognition for my yearly efforts is practically close to none. Sure, I was first in class once in secondary school and that was it. Nineteen years later, this came and I was ecstatic.

The Director's Honours List is awarded to students in the top 10 percent of the whole Diploma in Business cohort.

Now, the last year for me. I don't think this chance is going to come to my doorsteps again. It's just too difficult with the way things are going. With luck and help from divine powers, may it be that I can grace the doors again.

This is extremely helpful in giving me the boost I desperately needed in this godforsaken term. Hopefully, I can get back on my feet again and be the best that I can.

Memories

In my other life, I seem to have remembered these familiar faces. The faces of teachers who had taught me and whom I esteemed.

However, with the pass of time, my memories of them become fuzzy. I cling tightly to these memories because they are of the best in my schooling life. The upper secondary period is something I treasured most, now that O levels was a thing behind.

It's not that I don't like my school life now. It's just it is not up there on my list. There are some aspects which I like. I guess that when graduation comes, I will only look back with fond memories.

On another note, holidays, even short ones, are enough to make you forget about your other life. Other life being the life in school with dreadful projects.

Oh gods, I heard that people received their Direct Honours List already! I sincerely hope that on of these days, when the letterbox is opened, lo behold, the invitation will be waiting for me. Please, please, please...

Results for Sem 2.2

*Set off Fireworks*

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*Punch fist in the air*

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Edited at 2.10pm: CGPA of 3.76! Do you think I will have a shot at the Director's Honours List this time round?

OMG! I'm so, so happy right now!!

Nearly had a heart attack when the SMS came in just after 11am. This is what I've been waiting for for nearly a month. All those stress, all those emotions, I can't believe I'm saying this, but, it's all worth it when I lay my eyes on the grades.

2 distinctions! An all new record for me! Travel and Leisure and Managing SME deserve the honours. All the other subjects are As. As I said before, As really are addictive.

Club and Resort - A. Wow, I can't believe it! I thought the second test was pretty difficult. Guess they moderated it.

Communication Skills 2 - A. Not quite surprising. Perhaps only that I must have did well for my interview.

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Travel & Leisure - Z. Another Wow. I thought that my test was kind of screwed as I left some blanks. The group project is a major plus factor.

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Managing SME - Z. No surprise here. I wanted a distinction for this subject ever since Day 1. Good teacher equals good grade.

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Franchising Business - A. Ahh well, I must be content. If not for that disastrous day, perhaps, just maybe, I can get a distinction? Glad that the teacher liked our work so much.

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World Issues - A. Big surprise here! I thought World Issues is a pretty boring yet difficult subject. The contributing factor must be the group project.

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All in all, to sum up this semester grades is "Big surprises. Expectations reached".

Thank you, thank you, in so many thousand languages! To all the lecturers, to my group members, to myself, of course, to those who supported me.

Now, I must wait for the GPA. *Rub hands in glee* It's going to be goooood.

Insanity & oh well

Oh gods, I'm really losing my sanity.

I know that I said 3 weeks will pass quickly, but when you live by the day, it just seems like a long way.

This week is completely insane. I don't get proper dinners. I don't have time to do my things. I don't have the rest I needed. I'm wore out.

I start each day early and end each day late. I reached home in the night everyday! Even the working people don't have it that tough.

I eat muesli/chocolate bars for dinner. I'm pathetic and feel pathetic. I can't enjoy the fun times I have online. I don't have time to go to the forums, read other fanfics... The book I borrowed has yet to be read.

However, it's the little things that keep me sane and make my day. My favourite fanfics are updated and I had a great time reading them. I get to spend some time with my friends.

I'm kind of regretting joining TNS. Yes, it will be a good experience, but it just saps my energy.

I'm disappointed that I didn't get into the Director's Honour List.

I wasn't expecting to get in in the first place since I don't know of it. But then, my friends whose GPA are slightly higher than me got in and I didn't. Well, I really want to get in because I feel that my GPA of 3.63 is still within my standards...

That feeling is something like "what you didn't know of, that's ok. But, when you know of something and it didn't happen to you, the disappointment comes."

I'll really try my best to get in this year. Things aren't looking quite good at the moment, what's with the projects and all. And even if I didn't get in, at least my GPA must be maintained.