UIU Malaysia, Graduating Class of 2013. "What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does."

The beginning of a new chapter of our lives. Before we knew it, another year has ended. Four years of university life has officially concluded. We'll then walk our own paths, carve our own future. When we walked down the path accompanied by the bagpipe, when we turned our tassels to the left, when we screamed 'Go Peacocks!' at the end of the valedictorian speech. When the valedictorian quoted Albus Dumbledore and almost made me cry at her anecdote. It shall always be etched into our memories. 

8th December 2013. Mine and my mates' commencement was scheduled for the afternoon session.

I guess two words could describe this moment: pride and happiness.

I am exceptionally proud to call myself a member of the vibrant gang of the graduating Class of 2013. I know I've officially ended my studies in August, but the commencement is held once a year. So, it was a major celebration for us. 

I would've cried, but I didn't. 

It felt final, but I won't let it.

Because we'll always stay connected to one another (Note: please reserve yumcha sessions!)

I could write about many things. How I've already got a job come January, how I spend my months post-college, pre-commencement working my butt off, etc etc. But I won't talk about those.

I will, however, write about our memories, about our day, about our lives.

The day before commencement, I attended the alumni reunion (Presidential Reception), mainly because I actually graduated in summer. The day prior to that, I attended the ADP annual dinner. Those were, to put it simply, the finals days of university life.

Things went a wee bit crazy at the ADP Annual Dinner 2013

So here's another photobomber. =P

The beautiful emcee, Phoebe.  You dressed up! ^^

I don't know what went into our minds...

Walking down that path during commencement made me wonder: In 20 years, nay 5 years from now, how will we look back at our lives, what do we think of the times we've spent together, was there any point of being where we were?

My friend, Joshua, rightly put it this way about commencement:

We're lucky because we could. 

Many others aren't as fortunate as us, to graduate and leave college with jobs. Many of us can't afford the extra penny to pay for fees to attend college, to attend commencement ceremonies that celebrate their achievements.

We're lucky. Indeed we are.

For so many of us, we were told we couldn't do it. Only a select few believed in us - and guess what? We did it.

Lending Mr. Ismael Betancourt's words about learning: it doesn't end here (I put it here in my own words), not with just finishing a Bachelor's degree. (Wait 'till you do a Master or PhD - I certainly will!)

I believe so too.

Learning is a continuous process. You learn not only from academic institutions, but also from life itself.

Those 4 years have taught me so many things. From philosophy to research, from a rather shy person to a more outspoken one, from trudging the halls of academia alone to making meaningful friends. Most importantly, the role that support can bring from various sources. The meaning of standing up again when you've fallen so deep. The meaning of finding hope and happiness where you could and where it matters.

Dear friends,
I believe our journey doesn't end here. I believe our friendship doesn't end here.

The time we've spent will always leave a mark in our lives.

I would always remember proofreading papers, I would always remember the peers who were always so supportive and funny (and did such great jobs!), I will remember Joshua who pats my head occasionally and I'll never forget the people who always tried to fatten me up! You know who you all are!

[Insert more picture here once I get their permission! Haha]

Glad it made you laugh, Gita!

By dad's request, I've removed the family photos. Sorry.

And who could resist the macarons and cakes by this lovely girl? - my sis, ahem ahem

Oh and this girl (Fifi) stayed up all night with me while I worked on my final paper.

Remember how we raced to that 8am class? 

Remember how sleepy we were once evening class ended at 8pm?

All those sleepless nights for fundraising campaigns?

Sitting on the floor outside the exam halls, arriving much earlier to cram something last minute in hopes it'll stick?

Recording and editing videos for our assignments?

Rushing to the printers to get our newspaper/newsletter/reports printed and bound on time?

Double-checking, triple-checking group assignments?

Feeling nervous before our oral presentations/viva?

Getting funny participants and bemoaning the mountain of paper on the desk?

Getting nervous and cursing it when there's a pop quiz?

Eating in between classes, nervously checking the time...

Dreading a 14/20 for mid-terms despite it all...

And there are so much more that can be listed here...

Those are memories we will re-visit and we can't take back.

Also, I will always remember the encouraging instructors. It's a humbling experience to be under your guidance and tutelage. We went from knowing zero to actually knowing something. For that, we thank you.

By the way, Ms. Sam, thank you for leading PSYCH Club when you could, you guided us to your best ability despite your busy schedule.

And it is such irony that the book I was moved to pick post-commencement was this:

Cecilia Ahern's The Gift

Because not only does it sum up time as something to be shared, most importantly, it is time that we can't take back. We can't rewind the clock and redo our lives. If you could, what would you have done better?

As for right now, all that comes into my mind is this:

We are all connected -one action, even a small one, will trigger a course that we'll never predict. Sometimes one small deed seems trivial because you did it not for the rewards, yet you'll be reminded of it when someone else comes and bestows almost similar deeds to you. With time, we cannot bestow, we cannot give as a gift to another person like a pretty box with a tied bow as Cecilia Ahern wrote. It can, however, be shared. Things like going to the orphanage together, eating lunch/brunch/dinner/brunch together, watching a movie together, spending the day at the park together, or perhaps, browsing for books at the local bookstore together. Those are the times one should cherish.

A job can fire you, but guess what, families can too. Great words, Ms. Ahern. My parents, my siblings, my relatives, they are all my immediate families. However, the graduating class of 2013 and the rest of UIU community are also my family. We'll always be connected.

Cecilia Ahern, The Gift (2009),

"A lesson finds the common denominator and links us all together, like a chain. At the end of the chain dangles a clock, and on the face of the clock the passing of time is registered...each second makes its mark on every single person's life; comes and then goes, quietly disappearing without fanfare..."

So as the passage of time trickles when we often pay nary an attention to it, here's a quote from J.K. Rowling (through Rubeus Hagrid) about facing our future:

"What’s comin’ will come, an’ we’ll meet it when it does."  ― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Graduation Day

Farewell...

This is dedicated to my fellow Form 5's of SMK Damansara Utama. Remember that we sang this as our graduation song this morning to the melody played by the school orchestra? Lots of tears and hugs...


And so we talked all night about the rest of our lives
Where we're gonna be when we turn 25
I keep thinking times will never change
Keep on thinking things will always be the same
But when we leave this year we won't be coming back
No more hanging out cause we're on a different track
And if you got something that you need to say
You better say it right now cause you don't have another day
Cause we're moving on and we can't slow down
These memories are playing like a film without sound
And I keep thinking of the night in June
I Didn't know much of love, but it came too soon
And There was me and you, and then it got real blue
Stay at home talkin' on the telephone and
We would get so excited, we'd get so scared
Laughing at our selves thinking life's not fair
And this is how it feels

Chorus:
As we go on, we remember
All the times we had together
And as our lives change, from whatever
We will still be, friends forever

So if we get the big jobs and we make the big money
When we look back now, will that joke still be funny?
Will we still remember everything we learned in school?
Still be trying to break every single rule
Will little brainy Bobby be the stockbroker man?
Can Heather find a job that won't interfere with her tan?
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly
And this is how it feels

Repeat chorus

La, la, la, la; yeah, yeah, yeah
La, la, la, la, we will still be friends forever

Will we think about tomorrow like we think about now?
Can we survive it out there? Can we make it somehow?
I guess I thought that this would never end
And suddenly it's like we're women and men
Will the past be a shadow that will follow us round?
Will these memories fade when I leave this town
I keep, I keep thinking that it's not goodbye
Keep on thinking it's a time to fly

Repeat chorus 3x

Vitamin C - Graduation Song (Friends Forever)

This morning, I wore my crisp white shirt and black dress pants. I seriously considered wearing my pink 'baju kurung' which was incidentally the same colour of the dress shirt my beau decided to wear this morning with his red tie. I should've worm the pink 'baju kurung'. We'd match then.

I arrived at school at around 7.15 am. When we arrived, everyone was getting ready. Some girls were in the toilet putting final touches before the ceremony, me included. I wasn't about going to put any mascara or the sort. Just to emphasize my lip balm -succulent taste, by the way.

When I got to the assembly area, people were already putting on their robes. I quickly put away my bag and went around asking friends for safety pins to spare. I managed to put on my robe and class code with a little bit of help.

Even before the ceremony, people were already starting to take pictures. Our teachers had to tell us to sit down and calm down. Heh, I promptly did as told anyway.

The whole ceremony was short and sweet. I particularly liked the Head Prefect's speech. Funny, bittersweet, cute, short, nice and all the right stuff. Even the Senior Principal's address was not bad. Then we all received our scrolls (Believe me when I say funny things happened during this time.. This was followed by awards for 100% attendence and best student for each course (Science, Arts/Social Science).

After that, we sang the graduation song followed by Peterpan's Mungkin Nanti to the melody played by the school orchestra. Then we sang the school anthem. I have never heard my fellow form 5 students sing that loud since form 1. I guess we all have already missed normal school life and that the song has sentimental value.

Finally, the ceremony ended. Photographs were taken and tears were shed. I hugged some of my teachers. Took pictured with them. I cried when I hugged my former Malay Language teacher, Pn Zaiton. I guess I love my teachers, especially her, more than I thought.

After that, we went for some small feast. Then the picture-taking frenzy continued after we had returned our robes.

At around 12.30 pm, my dad arrived and I got home.

Well... that's about it! The written and compressed version of Graduation Day. I hope that we could all stay in touch and never lose sight of the friendship and good times we have shared. Finally, good luck and all the best to my fellow DUrians! Let's live up to our reputation and give stellar academic performance.

Just about tertiary education

Life can bring surprisingly good spring rolls...

This morning, my class was one of the chosen classes to go on a trip to Kelana Jaya for the Education fair. Needless to say, it was fun.

In fact, I met my primary school teacher whom I greatly admire. We were quite close. She was the teacher advisor when I was president of the Environmental Club in Primary 6. We had a chat about our current doings and future prospects as well as my performance in school (that was her part. I was quite embarrassed to tell her.)

Anyway, I went through a lot of colleges and local as well as international institutions. Let's put it this way, I'm confident that I want to major in English and Linguistics and minor in other languages. In order to do that, I would have to pursue a Foundation in Arts or A-Levels or equivalent. Quite a huge leap from the current Science subjects I'm currently taking right now.

After going through so many institutions, I finally narrowed it down to UCSI, Curtin and New Zealand Universities. UCSI offers English and Communication degree (3 years) after undertaking a Foundation in Arts (1 year) at any UCSI campus which is locally situated. Curtin is in Australia. I'm not so sure about going to Australia to further my studies ... it all depends on whether I will be financially able or not. As for New Zealand universities, I could probably snag a scholarship if I am able to ace all of the subjects I am currently taking in SPM (10 subjects). Foundation studies is in New Zealand, but I could take pre-U courses instead (i.e. SAM, A-Levels) if I wanted to.

If that doesn't work out, I might just be able to study Electrical and Electronics Engineering at UNITEN (Universiti Tenaga). If I get very good results, I should be able to secure a scholarship from Tenaga Nasional in some form. When that happens, less financial burden would be placed on my parents. Besides, when I'm a graduat of UNITEN, I would get an opportunity to work with Tenaga Nasional Bhd. or with UNITEN itself.

On another note, I was thinking of setting up an account with SSPN just in case I need to apply for a study loan. I need to go to BSN and apply. An RM 500 minimum savings is a must.

Besides that, I was also thinking of buying a PIN number from my school counsellor to apply for diploma programs after SPM. This is just for back-up purposes only. We can never be too careful.

Now, without futher ado, I shall excuse myself for a long-needed rest and relaxation. Tomorrow is Graduation Day! I'm graduating High School! I can't believe it's already been five years since Primary 6.

Later, I need to drop by the pharmacy to buy things as well as something for my cat's eye.

Ciao.

The next few days will be memorable...

Hurray! Friday's THE day. Graduation day. It feels melancholic but at the same time, it marks the beginning of a new journey.

I know that graduating from high school is a huge deal. Some are unfortunate to be unable to finish their secondary education. I consider myself blessed and lucky to be able to continue to further my knowledge in the fields I love and cherish.

Well, now that we've come to that... The rehearsals, robe fitting will be held tomorrow. The only things that mars all of this is the fact that my bestie is not going to the graduation ceremony. Too lazy, according to her.

Anyway, there will be a trip to Kelana Jaya this Thursday. There's this tertiary education convention with all the prestigous institutions taking part. It'll be exciting for sure. My only hope would be that the participants won't be MIA on that day. Otherwise, trip's cancelled. It's a chance of a lifetime!

As a side note, I'd like to announce that I have created a website with the sole purpose of publishing my fiction works -including school essays. You may visit http://publiclyunveiled.weebly.com to see for yourself.

To remind all blog readers, SPM (Malaysian Certificate of Education) examinations is just around the corner. In about a month or less.. to be precise, 11th of November, the SPM examinations will begin. Let us do our very best and pass with flying colours. Besides, for SMKDU student, you all have about a week excluding Friday next week off since PMR students are sitting for their public exam. So use the time wisely. I'd even go so far as to extend this advice to myself for I believe I hardly follow my own advice.

That's it for now. Ganbatte ne!

Help!!!

I've never been so tired before...

Physics and Chemistry papers are done for now. Tomorrow is purely Mathematics -modern maths. I hope I won't make as much careless mistake as I'm prone to do during exams.

Ramadhan will be over in about 5 days. I'm thinking that SPM will follow very soon after. It's only a month until the dreaded SPM.

Anyway, graduation is on the 10th of October. It's a senior affair. Fair enough. I'm not going to the senior prom. Tickets cost about $120-$150. I don't have that much money. SO I'm going to settle on hanging out at home, playing with sakura-neko and improving my skills on the piano.

The recent trials had me miserable enough. I got 6A, 3C and 1D. It's very bad. I have to pull my grades up if I'm ever going to get any scholarship after SPM for further studies.

On the other hand, I have one less thing to worry. The renovations that my house has been going under is almost complete. Cabinets are in, lighting's done, paint jobs are finished. Just exterior painting and timbre decking is all that is left.

In a few hours, my physics tutor is coming in. Dad has asked me to prepare chicken curry for breaking of fast. Let's see... 7.11 pm is the breaking of fast and 6.30 pm is the time I finish my tuition class. You think I might have enough time? I hope so.