And it was done.
After pursuing something for so long (four years), taking a new step in a different direction seems rather awkward.
27th April marked the official and ceremonial day in which I received my Bachelor's Degree, and as I sat there waiting in line for my ten seconds of fame, one thought ran across my head. The best days of my life is behind of me. You know how every lecturer and uncle tells you that the best days of their lives were always in University? Yea, so it seems that for me, it will be downhill from here. Why is it downhill?
It's actually really simple. It goes downhill from here, because now, I stop taking from society and start contributing. I've been fed the spoils from my parents' work and swept the joys of generation before me. I'm not going downhill in the sense that I stop growing; I'm going downhill in the sense that before this, I was young and the world owed me a favor, and now, I owe the world. I was naive and was reckless; now I have to be wise and thoughtful. I must give more than I receive, I must serve more than I've been served, and I must make those who have come before me proud.
Here I start giving back, but I cannot give without remembering those who have given in the first place. Those who have given and walked with me on this four year journey that began at HMC and exploded when I entered the department of Psychology are many indeed.
Here I say my thanks to those who were by my side even for a short while, to those who shaped my very character, to those who knew I could do better, to those who encouraged, and to those whom I shared this road with. Now we bid goodbye to the constant meetings with a hope that the friendships that we form will go beyond the convenience of our degree life. I bid farewell with the confidence that you are all not only a part of the best days of my life that is behind me, but the best days of my life before. Because I know that the days we spend together will be those best days.
It has come to the part in which I want to stretch out my personal thank you to those of whom I am referring to above.
To my family:
I was never easy to work with; never easy to listen. Yet you pulled through. You put through all my nonsense and stubborn stands. You stood through all my rebellious bouts and grand ideas. I wouldn't have prayed for a better God-fearing and steadfast group of people to be my anchor when I go astray and compass when I lose track of what's important.
To the Faculty:
To those in HMC: Thank you to Ms. Ida Jamil, who told me that she expected a HD from me, Ms. Selena Ong, who was friendly though strict (And definitely prepared me for Ms. Winnee in the following year), Mr. Joel, who walked a line of integrity in his life and showed that a man of God could do more in a classroom than a pulpit, Mr. Murali, who showed me that it was okay to be a little geeky, and Ms. Annie, who even though never taughtt me in the classroom, taught me nonetheless.
The Degree Life: When I entered degree life I was first overwhelmed by sheer numbers. I thought that the personal contact with lecturers which I had in HMC was gone, but I was proven wrong. Throughout the three years, I've come to admire and respect the people who stood in front of the class and taught me through a microphone (and without one).
To Ms. Winnee, my thesis supervisor, statistics lecturer, and current boss, thank you for your patience and guidance especially throughout my thesis year. I know I was rather annoying with the daily emails when I panicked because I thought my thesis was in jeopardy, but you still replied with patience nonetheless. You are definitely the only lecturer I know that can keep us at the edge of our seats during stats class. I'm going to miss hearing and being traumatized by "Question 1".
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| Credits to Ong Chia Wei |
To Dr. Anasuya, my biggest regret is sitting in your class only in my final semester of my final year. Even though you've only taught me for one class, that class has definitely left a huge impact on me. Your class taught me that the final exam wasn't important, it was the learning journey that we should cherish, and I did cherish the thought-provoking, brain-picking, and sophisticated discussions held in class. I know how much you hate big classes, but I'm definitely encouraging people to at least sit in one of your classes.
Last but definitely far from least, to the Fellow Psychos of Jan'11:
We made it (some of us just a little faster, but no wiser). I definitely could not have wished for a more complete bunch of friends that we have come to be along the way. I want to thank you all for tolerating my nonsensical and lame humor and for giving this "small boy" a place in your social circles.
To Justin, the bro, the wingman, and tai kor, thank you for every piece of advice you've given me, for tolerating my ranting, and for teaching me "the YOLO way of life". Though I'm quite bummed by the fact that we cannot graduate together, I'm thankful that you took the time to even make it for the event. Here's to all "the other nights" and all the nights and days to come. I don't know if I show it, but I definitely look up to you as my friend and my adviser in life.
To Ong Mei Li (Millie Ong), I always saw you as the smart girl who would not want to hang out with the small fries, and you proved me wrong. I always adored your down-to-earthness and your ability to genuinely care for people. Thank you for looking out for me, and going the extra mile. I'm a little sad that you won't be joining the few of us to tutor, but I know that you are going to be a phone call away.
To Alvin Tea, thank you for being the statistical brain among our group of guys. I know for a fact that I wouldn't be standing here in this gown if not for your love for the subject. All the best in your future endeavors and keep up with your healthy routine. I will be there when it is your turn to wear the robes.
To Lu Yi Chang Lu Lu, as I recently told you, you are one of my closest friends in Uni. Thank you for putting up with me emo face, listening when I needed someone to talk to, and cheering me up when I needed it. I cherish our friendship and I wish you the best in your career plan!
To Eunice Foo, thank you for being the cheerful one in times of struggles. You are one of the few people whom I know I can trust. I pray that your genuineness and selflessness will continue to be your superpower in the workforce!
To William Saw Kian Ann, the burger buddy and fellow assignment mate. I admire the way that you always somehow got things done. Thank you for being part of the five-men crew which started from 106 all the way to the end.
To Shyvonne Lee, the makan buddy and the good friend, I'm going to miss our endeavor for food the most, bracing umbrella breaking rain just to get a good roti pisang. Thank you for being a constant friend that I can call upon to have random chats with. I will be there screaming when you go on stage to get your scroll next year.
To Adeline, the fellow room vagrant, I'm thankful for your genuine heart that always finds time for other people. I mean what I say when I say that you are the ***** of the bungalow in a completely good way.
Because I'm sleepy I need to speed this up.
To Ross Stephenson, Munyan, Su Han, Jonathan Lee, Shyuan, Valerie, Shu Li, Wai Meng, Grace Chee, Kylie, Jay Aaron, Hevind, Vania, Vinnie, and countless others who have contributed to my degree life, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
As I say goodbye to the best days of my life, I look forward to the other best days of my life and I'm pretty sure that many of you will be sharing those best days with me.
