Y1S1 2016/17 Reflections

My first semester in NUS has officially ended, with me typing this on the last day I'm living in my room, in CAPT for this sem. It has been a rollercoaster ride this sem, with too many things happening that eventually overwhelmed me, and I've realised that I have so much space for personal development, so much more to learn and to achieve. Since it's a free S/U sem, the stress faced this sem will probably be nothing compared to the next few sems ahead, which is a horrifying thought tbh. I've never studied so hard consistently in my life before. A levels and O levels is nothing compared to university, you really can just slack your way through 1.5 years, and for JC, just scrape past promos and blocks, and work your ass off starting from june, you'll eventually get to some university. But university is a whole new level. Whoever said that uni was easier, that A levels was the worst and once we got past A levels it'll be an easy ride, was lying. The timetable in uni may be damn slack (at least for FASS students) but the workload is truly insane. It's just deadlines after deadlines, one paper after another to write, at least that's what this sem felt like for me. Shan't brood on what's over, plus I'm only aiming CAP 4/5 to get second upper honours. Everyone has different goals in university, and I'm willing to trade flawless grades for average grades with invaluable memories. I've always aspired to do well for major exams, but never exceeded my own expectations before. Be it L1R5 of nett 5 for O levels, or 82.5 rank points for A levels, my grades were always only slightly above average and within my expectations (sadly or luckily, I really don't know since I would have had to tradeoff something for better grades and a different path in life). All I know is that I'm happy where I am now, and trying to make the best out of this. I'll just have to constantly remind myself next sem to work hard everyday because uni isn't a place where you can leave revision till the last minute and expect to do average, it just won't happen. Once you can't keep up with your workload, it'll just snowball and you'll be trapped deep in that avalanche of assignments and readings. Can't do much about my grades this sem except to wisely use my S/Us when results are out in 16 days so, shall reflect on the non-academic life for this sem in this post hehe.
I guess this post will be mainly about CAPT. Honestly, I've never been so happy in my life before. Perhaps it's because I've always been physically alone as the only child and did not have a sister or brother around me 24/7. My close friends have always been there for me and I'm very thankful for y'all for that :') But having close friends physically around you 24/7 is an entirely different thing. It felt draining at first, having to socialise the whole day, with sleeping being the only alone time I had. From the moment I walk out of my room when I wake up, I'll meet people in the toilet who are also washing up and preparing to go to lessons, then I'll eat breakfast with whoever's at the house table and go for lessons after that. After lessons, its back to CAPT and nuaing (socialising) in the lounge, dinner together and back at the lounge to do work or HTHT/play games till late at night. Also, I only had to go out of Utown 2 days a week this sem, which pretty much explains my extremely lapsup attire unless I went to arts HAHA.
Anyways, to conclude this sem in 3 words, it has been: an eye-opening, fun and fulfilling 18 weeks.
To start off, we had the freshmen orientation camp, and I was in Caspian. Although the OG is the least bonded one (no denying that lol) among the 3 OGs from my house, I feel that the people are the nicest ones in the whole house too HAHA. People that are always busy their own stuff too though, hence we aren't that bonded I guess? But still feels damn homey when I meet them during meals though :)

thank you ROC for the amazing memories, for being my light in the darkness this sem <3 

  

ROC bonding during week 1 aka games and throwing food dye everywhere

Okay pong got lazy to type long paragraphs so just gonna spam photos HEHE :) 

Formal Dinner

 

#ROCPRIDE <3 

 

Mid-Autumn Festival

 

 

 

Can't remember when was the last time I held a lantern or played with sparklers hence I'm sure glad I went for this event hehe :) THE FOOD WAS AWESOME TOO THANKS HOUSE COMM FOR YOUR AMAZING EFFORT <3 

ING Dragon Boat, Dodgeball and Floorball

The only 4 y1s out of 20 dragon boaters :) Idek what made me sign up last minute but I'm sure glad I did! 

 

3RD PLACE!!!!! 

 

I suck at dodgeball seriously I can only dodge not throw balls ahahahahha LAST place HAHA but yay got to know minghui, greatest takeaway from dodgeball ING hehe :') 

 

 

Last but not least, FLOORBALL ING <3 Really didn't want to drag the team down cuz y'all had so much potential for 1st place. Didn't do much to help but at least we got 2nd guys <3 !!!!! Best team I've ever played with for any sport, thanks for watching out for each other and constantly subbing in and out when we noticed that people were getting tired on the court. Really hope that I can balance my crazy workload next sem and join y'all for trainings :') 

#ROCSOLID but not roc bottom for captain's ball <3 !! 

SAC: Bonding Day and Haunted House

 

 

 

 

 

My second family in CAPT :') Was quite sad that I didn't get into house comm but it has been a real blessing in disguise. Thank you house heads for seeing that I was more suited for other comms too since I was hesitant to join house comm because I was interested in others too. Thank you Krittin and Esther for telling me to bring my positive (actually its just crazy vibes) vibes into SAC. Love how weird and crazy we are when we are together. Like I said during the end-of-sem review, I love how everyone is so unique in their own ways, and we just magically come together to make an awesome team with great team dynamics :) I chose to lead the Haunted House event because I wanted to work with EXA that was saturated with roc people haha but thank you all for helping out with the posters and videos, for the input and feedback yall gave to make the event a success. Thank you Krittin for helping me do so much stuff when I was having hell week with 3 assignment deadlines. Being the only ROC person in SAC was also a blessing in disguise I guess, since I got to know Dora so much better cuz she was also the only Tulpar in SAC HAHA. Thank you for studying tgt at ERC with me, and the HTHTs in your room :) Really glad that I'm done with my event and just have to help out with the rest of the events next sem, but still gonna do my best whenever I can :) 5 events next sem is no joke, but I believe we can do this together hehe #SAClove <3 !!!!!

Halloween Dinner

 

Didn't have a costume so I uber-ed back home to get my JC uniform for me and Seanne LOL, not as much effort as the rest but hey, we tried! HAHHAHA need to step up our game next year :P First time attending a Halloween event and it was amazing because of ROC. The food was pretty amazing too for once LOL.
Xuan Kai & Brenda's Bali Dance Performance

 

 One of the rare times I finally went for someone's performance haha need to do it more often next sem and support them up your game pong!! Also the day stupid sk became a ladle and stirred shit when I commented one of the guys was cute wth lol and brenda brought the guy for me to take a photo with him. IS IT MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT OF MY LIFE? Maybe eh hahahaa. Supper after that was awesome too hehe thank you yr4s + kahyong for the treat!!!! 

ROC Open Mic 

 

ROC Open Mic where we discovered so many hidden talents hoho glad that I chose to pangseh my study buddy at ERC for this HAHHAHA (k i'm sorry if you are reading this oops) From the HSM songs to the epic slut dance by the 4 guys, thanks for making the night such a wonderful one. Once again, thanks house comm for the welfare!!!!! I think house events is the reason why I got so fat LOL those free food eg. green tea and ice cream seriously no go for calories eh but still ate them since it was so shiok to nomnom and enjoy the performances HAHA

 

My rockabye babies <3 So so thankful for the night we talked for 2hours outside bucks when we were only supposed to stay for 30minutes HAHAH the weather was too good to leave, and the company was even better <3 Thanks for being my pillars of support in CAPT and doing most shit together and sacrificing to eat meals together and making sure we are all okay hehe :') 

 

UBEREATS night HAHA cuz we are all lazy af gluttons. Freaking funny number game too I cannot help but love yall over and over again <3 

 

 

The first house event ever hehe CHOCO FONDUE NIGHT WAS AWESOME although I was still sad I was not in house comm planning this event I think heh. 

 

I LOVE MY LEVEL 5 BUDDIES no other level I rather be on, love every single one of you so much <3 

 

Ever since NYJC...I realised that fire drills are for photo-taking and bonding :P 

T4 USS HHN!!!!! 

I was really sad because thought I really couldn't make it since CAPT's Haunted House was the next day and by right I should be present the night before during the setting up. But thank goodness we already finished most of the setting up on Wednesday and my comm told me to go for it since I already bought the ticket before I joined the comm. It was truly a crazy and fun-filled night and we even saw Joel who was working there. Has been long fish! Also went for my first blue rollercoaster experience omg we queued for 1.5hours for 1min? But WOOHOO IT WAS AWESOME and I can't wait to go again but broke af la I don't think it will be anytime soon :( Sorry to the guys whom we just anyhow grabbed in the haunted houses but I really feared for my life wthell paying to scare the shit out of myself lol but it was fun because it's with yall heh <3 

End of sem dumzi dumziiii @Baliza 

Probably the only time I was really ever gone lol I thought I would never get drunk but I guess I did. I can't remember what I did from 230-3am and I'm so paiseh after I knew about it to even type what I did here haha so nope. At least I didn't make out with random strangers right unlike the guy in front HAHHAHHAA rabak af. Thank you all for taking care of me, when I was supposed to take care of the first-timers LOL. I feel like a Wilson now hahahhah oops. Swee choon after that was a mistake because I puked some of the food out after reaching CAPT :/ Can't believe I got to know a bitch through this after living together on the same floor for 18 weeks HAHA but better late than never I guess. LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE FUN NEXT SEM GUYSSSSSS 11/01 ;) Thank you and sorry to William whose chin kept getting hit by my head HAHAHA thank you Si Jing for taking care of the girls too Y'ALL ARE FINE GENTLEMEN :')

To end off this post, I'll do some dedications to some people who have made my sem truly memorable here if anyone of yall happen to find this even though idk how HAHA probably copy and paste these dedications and send yall on 31 dec? 

(In alphabetical order, not of importance heh) 

Benn

 

The one who always snaps emo stuff after 3am, who can sing korean songs well and loves K.Will too, thank you for being such a calm yet caring presence. Thank you for the times we listened to K.Will's songs together at 3am while I was chionging readings and you were just chilling LOL. Really admire how much you expect from yourself and willing to work hard to achieve your goals. You are one of the nicest guys I've ever met, and I really hope you don't change because of one person. Your true love will accept you for who you are okie. Hoping that you will feel better soon although I know it's hard now, stay safe and warm, and remember that we are always here for you. Thank you for always looking out for my emo snaps too HAHAHA (and hoping that you don't come back as a fat boy after 1 month of not gymming I think shaoherng would have caught up with your buff bod LOL) #bennhanforhouseic #bennhanformanhunt!!!!!!

Cheryl Lee

  

The one whom I may have a legit girl crush on because you're too adorable and just overflowing with love and care <3 Got to know you when we were in all 3 INGs together somehow when we actually only signed up for the same dragon boating ing, but with me replacing your afternoon dodgeball games and replacing Jes for floorball, I got the chance to know you so much more and it's a blessing in disguise. Thank you for always smiling your brightest smile when you see me and giving me the biggest and cuddliest hugs hehe :') I hope your cheerfulness never dies and continue lighting up everyone's life around you babe, you are truly one of the few girls I really admire and feel like you deserve all the happiness and love in the world. It's amazing how much happier I feel just by seeing you (is that why girl crush??) and I wish that your spark will never fade <3 Already missing you and can't wait to see you ball of happiness soon hehe stay safe and have fun in BKK :')

Daniel

 

 

LOL how should I even start? No one except our close friends know that we are close because you don't have social media (which human doesn't have instagram/twitter/telegram in 2k16????????? this house head lor) and I never revealed your identity on my snaps too because I don't want shit to get stirred. I really don't know what I ever did for you to always be there for me even for the smallest things, but you are definitely one of my greatest takeaways from CAPT. Thank you for everything that you did for me, be it waking me up for lessons, or dabaoing breakfast for me when I oversleep, or even annoying me 24/7 with your burns because you're just too bored and love disturbing people tsk. But you are truly one of the most selfless people I've ever met. I'll never forget the time when you cycled all the way to Arts at freaking 2am to deliver your friend's assignment because the only available printer at that time was in CAPT, when you just injured both your knees a few hours before during Haunted House (dumb shit idek how both knees could bleed after hitting the table, tall for nothing tsk). And you still went to dabao supper for me and your boy toys, before you realised you should just call for delivery because there were just too many other orders HAHAHA. Thank you for trespassing into my room (house head doesn't mean my room belongs to you oi) when I was out studying and putting snacks all over the place and the stupid punctuation quiz HAHA. Thank you for buying me a freaking cucumber and packet of tissues when you promised me a box of tissue with cucumber extract. Thank you for making me laugh during boring econs tutorials when you added me into the fake house heads chat and scaring the shit out of me the first time, annoying the shit out of me the subsequent weeks LOL. Thank you for buying food for me every weekend before you come back and noticing when I'm being an emo nemo and being a listening ear although you can't give advice for shit. Thank you for so many other things you did but I may not have remembered because it's really too much to list. Thank you for being your(annoying)self and always putting others before you. Thank you for everything I really appreciate it!! Here's to more annoyingness next sem!!!!!!!!! YOUR FINAL SEM MUAHAHAHA ok I'll treasure it :')

HuiEe, Siying and YiYan

 

OMG YALL SEXY NURSES are not sexy la but cute af, every single one of you :) CUTEST NURSES EVER hehe!! Got to know yall better after we ran together hehe thank you for running with this slowpoke when yall fit af also haha what you 3 scholars cannot do pls enlighten me???? HAHAHA thanks for being so warm and friendly everytime I see you all, here's to more runs and dinners together QTpies <3 !!!!!

Lenard

 

Oi. To describe you in 3 phrases: resting-bitch face, forever sleeping everywhere and anywhere BUT YOUR ROOM, and ok an awesome floorball leader la. One of my few only child buddies in roc too but we loanly (lonely) children not!!!!! Thank you for convincing me to join your ING floorball team to replace Jes, where I got to know so many people better too, including you!!! My first impression of you was a cold and quiet boy, but I'm glad you opened up to us and show your RBF in the lounge everyday!!!!!!! HAHAHA you're really hardworking and smart so all the best for CAP 5 !! Here's to more HTHTs and runs tgt next sem too :)

Levis

 

Levis gege~~ The giant teddy bear to me ahahhaha your name always reminds me of levis jeans LOL. Thank you for all the midnight runs together, motivating me and walking with me when this noob can't run more than 4km and HTHTing the way back. Thank you for the breakfasts and snacks you cooked for us, and always being so so nice to us. OH THANK YOU FOR THE CHEESE TARTS YOU JUST BROUGHT BACK FM MALAYSIA ;) soon to be maybe???? HAHAHA being a ladle and stirring your shit is fun because I know you won't mind and the girl isn't in CAPT hoho. We were only getting close but you're gonna leave for exchange soon (omg I didn't intend for that pun), but please take care and skype us regularly <3 gonna miss you so much and your absence will be haunting me throughout next sem whenever I walk past your room :( Take care and looking forward to you coming back to us during the 2nd half of 2017!!

Jeslin

RABAK JIEJIE. OMG. AMAZING WHAT JUST ONE NIGHT CAN BRING EH life is really funny sometimes. If I can call someone a bitch it means I'm really comfortable with you and love ya. Can't believe it took us a night at the club to realise that we have the same level of bitchy-ness HAHAHA fking rude and sarcastic but ily cuz we really have the same frequency and you took care of the gone me at the club who hugged you throughout the night HAHAHAHA. Meimei loves you ok don't anyhow scold meimei anymore you bitch. Yes we may have found each other vvvvvvv late into the sem (during the last week lol) but it's okay we have next 3 sems to go pls don't knock on my door everytime after your shower next time tmd and let's do more weird shit together next sem and 11/01 WOOHOOOOOOO take care of me again pls hehehe. Here's to christmas shopping soon and more memories to be made over the next few sems left!! Better late than never to find someone like you :') I JUST REMEMBERED SOMETHING. Gan was the one who told me about you at first. I still remember how I was kinda scared of you at the start cuz you seemed like a bitch (which you are, but I ALSO AM HAHA) but she told me you are nice and I should get to know you better, obv I didn't trust her words cuz she only interacted once with you ahaha but now I know why she kind of introduced me to you. Guess she saw me in you, another bitch HAHAHAH OMG dying. IT'S FATED MAN. You sit beside her for your nursing exams somemore wthell. Looking forward to whatever's in store for us next sem man rlly. Has only been 1 week but I love ya already bitch I guess I found my female soulmate ahahaha k this is cheesy bye.

Jon PONG

 

MY BROTHER FROM ANOTHER MOTHER!!! Or is it my real long-lost brother hmmmm LOL and the only other pong we know is a mutual friend what is this. Thank you for always being you because you are just so awesome because you are another PONG. HAHAHA kidding but really bruh idek how you balance medicine life and so many activities in capt????? Every time I see you I question myself what am I doing with life being a potato pong while you are such a successful pong HAHA. Thank you for always adding medicine stuff you learnt into conversations it's really entertaining HAHAHA and always making sure if this sis is okay. Stay happy with Ariel omg yall are couple goals and stay sane bruh love ya <3 

Kang Ming

(look at shikai's face at the side LOLOLOL)
Eh thank you for being my #1 snapchat buddy????????? LOL your jokes and puns really make my life so much better because you are a joke yourself HAHA ok jk but really appreciate you bringing laughter and joy to us!!! jiayou for biz rag next year PD!!! Hope you don't become a phantom next sem lol idk how we got closer but I'm glad we did. You are also damn straightforward but it's okay I accept you for it HAHA cuz I know it's just your personality and you don't intend to hurt people although sometimes it may hurt others eh. Looking forward to more funny shit from you next sem ethan woohoo stop getting raped at bali clubs LOL and hope that your flashing green status will change soon eh joker ;)

Ming Hui

 

 

My 2nd meal buddy and study buddy and do-everything-together, always-together-never-apart buddy  AHAHAHAHHA bitch you need to stop tickling me. And I totally regret telling you who I felt was my ideal type because you keep reminding me about it CB when you supposed to be helping me get over it oi. But I've already come to accept it HAHAHAH Thank you for your warm hugs too hehehehe but rlly. Tickling needs to stop ok. Thanks for always asking if I'm okay and doing weird shit with me although you judge me I know you are equally weird (molester moon face teehee). Hope that you will achieve your goal of CAP 5 this sem crazy girl who topped your iem class for the first two papers!!!!!! You can do it hehe glad to have found such a wonderful friend like you here <3 SEE YOU SOON JIE DRIVE US OUT WOOHOO EGGCITED!!!!!!!

Nicholas the ang moh

 

WE WERE CLOSE BRUH but we still are, I'm just subtly caring for you ok idiot. You'll find your happiness someday, stop saying your heart is black etcetc. Stop smoking also you fag. I'll never forget the time when I thought you were alone and gone, so I went down to pick you at freaking 430am (when I had dragonboat ING at 7 and only slept 1hour wth) after you clubbed, and you and merci mok smoked there and kenna caught by Dr Tan CB HAHAHA I rlly feared for my life then ok because I didn't know he was such a nice person HAHAHHAA but always willing to be your maid because you were always there to offer legit advice and be a listening ear. Thank you for being real and shoving reality into my face, asking me the most serious and important questions I always try to avoid. Thank you for letting me shamelessly tag along to Holland Village for a free carbonara and a ride home HAHA. You should appreciate me for pei-ing you when you smoke because I absolutely detest smoke or smokers but I'm willing to sacrifice for you eh idk why I can do it too honestly so stop calling me trash and low IQ and short you fag its just you are gigantic ok I'm not THAT short although I'm..pretty short. HAHAHAHA. Miss the times when you come into the lounge and talk german rubbish with that convincing accent haha miss you disturbing me also wthell but I'm glad you changed for the better and cut that maggie hair off your head eh. Although you still can change more by quitting smoking HAHA. Stay safe in Yunnan and not looking forward to smelling you and your ciggs next sem again fml but I'm always here for you bro you are loved you annoying shit. Glad you're enjoying yourself there and that you are happy :') Looking forward to the day you return to your hot bod and handsome self too although it might take years to happen hmm HAHAHA :P

Seanne

 

 

My meal buddy and study buddy and do-everything-together, always-together-never-apart buddy <3 We are like peanut butter and jelly, salt and pepper and a pair of chopsticks HAHA. Definitely my greatest takeaway from CAPT (as of now hehe) :) Thank you so so much for everything you've done for me; waking me up, eating meals together, making me drag my lazy ass to study at yale and always watching out for me and keeping me sane. You are so focused and know what you want in life, and that's really a major learning point for me and a daily reminder to get my shit together haha. Thank you for being one of the strongest pillars of support I need in CAPT. It was really fate that we clicked once we met (thank you bts and kdrama) and not afraid to share our deepest secrets with each other. Thank you for trusting me with your problems, and also being my listening ear. Thank you for making sacrifices for me, be it letting me have the big cubicle when we shower tgt or eating earlier when I'm hungry. Thank you for making me realise the extent I will go for the people I truly care about too. I'll be your part-time boyfriend/girlfriend in CAPT since Toby isn't as physically near to you as me here ok HAHA I don't need to say much more hehe we will get through next sem together babe <3 SEE YOU SOON AND REST WELL you really worked hard this sem :) [lol toby is another indicator that we were fated to meet hahaha what are the chances of that someone I met at SJAB camp a few years ago is your boyfriend omg]

Shi Kai

 

I think we got closer because of nic LOL I will never forget the day you called me ponggie and I was like .___. and you said nic told you about me (I still wonder what he said) so if I'm nic's friend, it means that I'm your friend too HAHA. Thanks for always happily calling me ponggie when you see me and reminding me to be happy when we see each other HAHA stop being a rabak fkboi la law student pls maintain abit okie??? thanks for feeding my eyes candy although the actual products were quite disappointing AHAHA but thanks for being such a fun person to be around and appreciating what others do for you. Here's to doubling the amount of alcohol bottles next sem and getting to know you better too bruh :) [I will love you in another universe too bruh I HEARD THAT HAHA, and perhaps everyone else in this post too haha]

Tammy

 

My physical touch + quality time buddy HAHAHAHA I feel so comfortable with you and you're another girl I really admire here HEHE love your confidence and accent but you need to eat more and regularly ok tsk. Thank you for getting bucks 1 for 1 with me, your tight hugs and always checking if I'm okay too. Thank you for always being there when I need a hug and someone to rant or talk too! Looking forward to making more memories tgt next sem babe I'm always here for you too <3

Xuan Kai

MA NOCTURNAL BUDDY!!!!! But your sleep cycle more fucked up than mine ok seriously bless your next sem because you need to wake up for breakfast already and go for lessons AHAHAHA no more sleeping till 12pm you owl. Maybe one day you will be the one waking me up instead of me waking you up for a change eh??? HAHA. I'll never forget our first conversation which was you telling me about the different clubs and their ratings before I went for my first clubbing experience LOL you rabak boy. Thank you for always getting through the night with me and chionging your play writing ahahha your efficiency is really damn good though gotta learn from you. Stop drinking so much (16 consecutive days is as good as stabbing your liver sua) and sleep EARLIER (easy say hard to do I know but you don't have a choice next sem anyway hahaha) night owl. Gonna miss having a night owl in the lounge with me every night but we both need to screw our body clocks back for good eh. BLESS OUR BODY CLOCKS HAHA and your liver. But here's to more clubbing tgt next sem too keke :)

Just some more random photos hehehe~

Continue reading Y1S1 2016/17 Reflections

lost

It really sucks to say this but, I haven't felt this way ever since A levels ended. In the midst of all that studying frenzy, I always questioned myself what I was studying for. The short term and most practical answer was of course to get into a university. But really, what was I studying so hard for?Everyone harps on stuff like life-long learning, yes, I do agree with that, but ultimately I guess being typical Singaporeans, the stereotype is just to study, get into a good uni, graduate with honours and set off to find a job and work for a few years before you settle down with your other half and start a new life together. Being someone with so much wanderlust and curiousity about everything else that's happening in the world, it just feels like there are too many things for me to grasp, too much information for my now rusty brain to process and too much feelings for me to absorb and truly understand. Everything suddenly feels so overwhelming, and it feels like I'm just being drowned by the crashing waves all around me with no life buoy in sight haha. Maybe I really should have taken a gap year, maybe I should have just went for NUS environmental studies or Biz. But here I am stuck in FASS hahaha contemplating to study either geography or global studies for the next 4 years. What can I do with both degrees right haha aishhhh chances are if you are in FASS it won't be easy finding a job anyway, and even if you do find one, it is most likely that it isn't related to your major LOL. But here I am still frustrated over what to major, thinking that psychology has no good future job prospects (which is very true unless you have a master's degree....), and that studying geography limits me to being a geog cher or doing a govt related job, and global studies is just......a complete question mark :x It's a totally new major and carries so much risk with it if I decide to major in that, plus its a pretty demanding course with its language requirements (I can take Korean and really enjoy it). I really wanted to take global studies because it gave me the flexibility to study modules from all over the faculty, but now the rose-tinted glasses have been lifted off as I found out that there are so many prerequisites for the modules for GL....its really a GL major man giving me so much frustrations before I even study it...but I'm not going to give up since I've wanted this all along. LEGGO PONG you can do this shit (hopefully)

Continue reading lost

Academic | SMU Discovery Day

I can still vividly remember the mugger life I had just a few months ago while studying for A levels - the lectures/tutorials, the endless tests and mock exams, staying in school to study till 930/10pm, weekly consultations with HODs for econs/geog/maths, and near the end when I only had to go back to NYJC for 1/2 days a week, the 11-10 mugging sessions at Civic Center Starbucks or 10-9 sessions at Woodlands Regional Library. I was just an average mugger and another student thrown in the rat race against time (or actually, against A levels), and looking back now, I know I could have studied much harder and started mugging earlier. While I have my regrets, let's just say all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, and that's another story for another day.

Now all that is done and over, and I got back my results about a month ago. I believe that everyone has a set of expectations for themselves and we should not judge when someone who got perhaps 85 rank points say that they are not pleased with their score, even when in the eyes of others the results are already very good and more than capable of securing a place in most university courses. The amount of hard work and effort everyone put in is different, and hence the difference in results. They themselves know how hard they worked for A levels, and I'm sure they are many who feel like their results do not reflect their effort. 

As for myself, I was not entirely happy with my results. B for H1 chem when I put in so much effort even after downgrading from H2 chem, makes me feel like I wasted my time on it when I could have spent that time on my H2 subjects instead. On the other hand, B for H2 maths was a complete relief and felt like a present for me, so much that it made me cry after seeing my results. I've been to the pits of hell and I made it back alive. I'm not exaggerating when I say pits of hell haha. I can't find a better phrase than that for 0.3 percentile. Hall of shame maybe? LOL. I can say that I'm not the happiest person with my results, but I can't be more grateful for some grades. 

Most typical kiasu people will apply for all the 3 universities in Singapore, get accepted in all 3 and then choose 1 by 1 June. Until then, many places will be hogged and some will only get a place after 1 June. But then again, they have every right to "chope" the places since they worked hard for their results to secure a place, right? 

What schools did I apply for? 

I was not THAT kiasu and only applied for NUS at first. I was torn between Environmental Studies (my passion, but 70% employment rate plus so limited job scope in SG), Business (stereotyped as the course that if you have good grades just go there for a good paying job in the future) and FASS (econs/geog/global studies/political science/sociology), but eventually I put FASS as my first choice and I got accepted 2 days later. At that point I was contemplating applying for SMU because hey, already got place at NUS right? What for apply for SMU and have to reject NUS/SMU later on and waste $10/$15 respectively? Everyone tells me that the fee is peanuts and nothing compared to what it entitles. But I applied for SMU not because I want to hog 2 places or go around boasting that I got into smu and nus, but because I really couldn't choose between SMU and NUS. I knew from the start that I could not decide yet so I just applied for one, with the intention that maybe getting accepted into NUS will make me give up on SMU or vice versa. But 4 years (and my future) isn't something to play with so here I am writing this post because I got accepted into SMU too and I'M QUITE LOST ON WHICH TO CHOOSE NOW.
SMU Discovery Day 
My first thoughts are the same as anyone reading this, "Discover what?? Means you accept me anot??"
I only applied for SMU on the last day of application at 11.30pm and I did not get any news until around 7 days later. I was kind of panicking because I knew they wouldn't reject me as my results were way above the cut off. But hey they are about holistic education right? I thought that this year's pool of applicants were also full of achievements and I was pushed aside by them. But the call came and I was informed that my application was successful and I did not need to attend any interviews, instead I was to attend this SMU Discovery Day that lasted 3 hours. I was about to send in an email to say I wanted to change my first choice to biz but they called me to say I was accepted into School of Economics (SOE) just before I sent in the email. Talk about timing haha maybe its fate. I think that this is their first year of implementation and I found some information on their website at http://admissions.smu.edu.sg/content/smus-commitment-holistic-admissions-faqs !!
To sum up what they mean, interviews are still compulsory except for a select group of shortlisted applicants. 

Applicants are selected on the basis of their strong academic and co-curricular records as well as evidence of qualities such as critical thinking, communication skills and positive attitude.

They feel that after 15 years of interviewing students they have found the secret formula (HAHA just kidding) to finding applicants who do well at interviews and after admission, do very well in SMU, just by looking at their applications. It's written in your face on the website.

Thus, for this group of students, they will be shortlisted on the basis of the quality of their submission, and be invited to visit SMU on “SMU Discovery Day”. 

All I can say is that this just shows how important your application is and to treat it very seriously, don't think that grades are everything because grades are just one factor, in addition to many other factors (which I also believe are more important) like your CCA achievements, life experiences and attitude.
And don't try to fluff your application because I'm very sure that they are more than capable of seeing through what's real and what's not.
So what did we do?
ANYWAYYYYYS, it lasted from 130-430 and it started off with a short talk by the Dean of SOE. It was followed by a 45min mock lecture. The lecture was about auctions and it was pretty interesting. I even got the chance to participate in the lecture as he picked me to be a participant in mini game which was like mock english auction. I think the lecturer was Italian and I did not understand what he was saying at first because of the accent, and hence I was LOST about the first game lol and I over-bidded. When he asked me why I bidded $9.10 when I would lose money (I think I could only resell at $9, I still don't know HAHA) , my mind was literally blank so I said I just want to win the bid LOL. I hope the people there will not remember me as the girl who bids too much because when he gave out acceptance letters, the Dean told me not to overbid next time HAHAHA well now I understand why embarrassing moments can become good memories later on eh :) I understood the second bid better and put my hand down at the right time haha and I'm quite grateful for him picking me because it gave me an experience of how a real lecture would be and my "I just want to win the bid" brought laughter to the room so it wasn't so sian I guess HAHA
We then had a short break and a sharing session by 2 alumni and 2 current students, and it ended with a tea reception.
SMU or NUS?
Before I went for this Discovery Day thing I was actually more inclined to go NUS. Being someone who is easily swayed, SMU did a good job in swaying me...ALOT. (maybe that's what the Discovery Day is supposed to do lol)
The pros of NUS are the inverse of the cons of SMU. How I wish I can take their respective pros and cons and make a new school haha. You know, be Hannah Montana, and get the best of both worlds. Hahaha but I ain't no Hannah Montana and I can only choose one :( I feel that no matter which school I choose, I'll definitely have some regrets.
NUS
+ More globally recognised if I ever want to work overseas (which I really do...)
+ Easier to get honours (3.2/5 vs SMU 3.4/4)
+ Variety of majors to choose from if you still do not know what to major in 
+ Hall/College life 
+ Read modules outside your faculty (idk if this is a plus or minus point actually)
+ Grade-free 1st sem
+ Feels more homely/friendly? idk
+ Cheaper by arnd $10000 
+ Near to fries, can work there after school hehe
- The perceived dumping ground lol 
- Lecture-tutorial style is boring. I skipped lectures in JC that were taught by horrible lecturers , and I'm sure I will in university too. Even if I don't, I might be zoning out 50% of the time oops. 
- Increasing class participation. They may be trying to learn from SMU, but I've read lots of blogs where people complain that this makes others talk for the sake of talking and it wastes alot of time.
SMU
+ More opportunities for overseas exchanges/OCIP/internships
+Very interactive pedagogy that forces you to focus in class so you don't waste money skipping lectures unlike NUS (I experienced it first-hand HAHA)
+ 7 Modules = 2ND MAJOR in SMU vs MINOR in NUS (what even nus??)
+ Each lesson is 3hr long, and mostly only 5 lessons per week = 3/4 DAYS OF SCHOOL per week only (might be same in NUS if cram lecture/tutorials or skip lectures lol)
+ Become more confident and articulate because of endless presentations
+ Best career centre
+ Very accessible location in town
+ Interesting modules like grooming and CAT that NUS does not have and are pretty essential in the working world
- Too focused on career (but it's a management uni afterall, and it's realistic I guess)
- Cut-throat competitiveness (but everywhere is competitive right?)
- Social sciences not as strong as FASS but if I'm doing only 2nd major in sociology/political science I think it's ok?
- More ex by $10000 
SMU may be more ex but the extra $10000 will be balanced out if I stay in NUS hall/college, and I feel really blessed when my parents tell me not to worry about the school fees or let it be a factor to consider. Distance from my house to both NUS and SMU is about the same so that's out too. I guess it really boils down to what I want to gain from university life, which I am not really sure yet sigh. If I want to do econs, then I will just choose SMU and do it with something I like (pol sci/psych/socio). But the global studies in FASS is still calling out to me......haiz IDK. Guess I'll know by 1 June eh. Don't wanna hog my place until then but I really need some time to think. Another thing is I didn't manage to convince my mum about SMU :( She says is still more conservative and if she was me, NUS will be her choice. Which makes me really conflicted because she kind of chose my sec sch and supported my jc choice (actually she wanted me to go Anderson but I brought her to the open house and showed her the haunted house LOL so glad that I went to NYJC really), both which I have zero regrets. So either she is right about NUS this time and I should stick to the "safe" route (but dumping ground :( ) or I follow my instincts and choose SMU, and cross my fingers that I don't regret it.

Continue reading Academic | SMU Discovery Day

Life | Pics of March

Just posting some pictures to round up March :) let the photos do the talking!!!

As you can see, I have no life outside of work LOL but they are nice people so it's all good :) 

Celebrated the two guys (boys) birthday in March...how long will this last? It's sad that we'll definitely drift apart after we stop working there and go to uni.....but I decided to take things positively and make every single day left there count. Guess they'll never see this, but thanks for making my first quarter of 2016 a fun and memorable one. I won't forget the times we sang karaoke in the shop (tbh everyday haha), the good food and jokes we shared, getting through busy nights and crazy orders together, enduring moumouren till he left (HALLELUJAH PART TIMERS 1 - moumouren 0) , and just making each other's life much happier at work, that it doesn't seem like work to me at all. Everytime I go to work I feel like I'm gonna meet fun friends and have a great time and stuff myself with food HAHAHA it wouldn't be the same without anyone of you. To those who made life difficult for us, thank you too, for making me see how unreasonable some people can be and learn from their mistakes, telling myself never to be like them heh. IT HAS BEEN A GOOD 3 MONTHS. Idk if I'll find another job, but I will definitely come back to work (play) whenever I can :) 

Continue reading Life | Pics of March

Music | Feb & March

I think that I'm gonna do monthly/weekly (if there is) music reviews from now on. It isn't really music actually, just KPOP HAHAHA unless there are really nice english or chinese songs that I like.

I've lost track of music releases and ain't crazy about kpop anymore, but there's still something that makes me go back to my fave music hehe

Although kpop is saturated with endless new boy/girlgroups now (mehhhhhh), I'm glad that there are so many good songs being released this month, lots from my fav singers too :) !! 

I shall list them by rankings for this post, but I may do it by chronological order next time, who knows!! LET'S START.

1. Everytime | Chen ft. Punch | Descendants of the Sun OST Part 2 

This song is LOVE. Yup I had to bold that haha I don't think its my bias towards EXO (not a crazy fan anymore, seeing how they are falling apart now in my eyes) but everytime (pun unintended LOL) CHEN releases an OST, it seems like it will cfm plus chop be a hit. His vocals are dreamy, not the usual manly vocals but his emotions are on point. I just feel this song shouldn't be Chen ft. Punch, but rather sung by Chen AND Punch, since her parts were really important and suits the song (maybe better than chen) well but oh well it's not up to me to decide that right haha

(Just saying, this song sounds creepily similar to his It's Okay, It's Love OST (Best Luck) :/)  

2. Always | Yoon Mi Rae | Descendants of the Sun OST Part 1 

I'm always looking out for Yoon Mi Rae's songs. It's hard to find someone who can rap and sing and pull both off so well nowadays. She definitely deserves all the respect she is getting. 

3. Say It! What are you doing? | K.Will | Descendants of the Sun OST Part 6

Say what? Another DOTS OST?? HAHA yes. Maybe that's why this drama is receiving so much love. The actors and OST are top-notch. The official MV states the title as Talk Love but I don't understand what they are trying to mean by that, it's not even a (meaningful) literal translation LOL. It's another K.Will song, but not just another song. It's K,Will, do I need to say more? Hehe :)

4. Spring Love | Eric Nam & Wendy 

Ahh the spring songs have arrived. They are SO CUTE they can't stop smiling and laughing and having fun in the MV hehe *squeals* !! I did not expect this collab at all, but I'm glad they did it. The song is quite mellow and only abit catchy, but their vocals make up for everything lacking. Maybe I'm just biased towards them haha but I really hope that Eric Nam finds happiness hahahha he is one of those singers whom I really like them for who they are, and not just their vocals or looks. He took International Studies in university too, maybe this is a sign for me to take Global Studies? HAHAHA ok moving on.

5. One of these Nights | Red Velvet 

These girls can sing. And they have the looks and personality. This is probably one of the few groups that I feel that SM has managed properly lol but really, it was a weird choice to give them a ballad, after dance songs like Happiness and Ice Cream Cake. Maybe it was time to do something different, but these girls are best at upbeat and happy songs. And the distribution of lines is still ridiculous as usual (what can I say? it's SM)

6. Letting Go | DAY6

This group deserves so much more attention and recognition. This is their comeback after Junhyeok left the group following the dating scandal...lol idek what era is this anymore and knetizens are still making a big hoohaaaaaa over an idol dating? This group isn't even considered idols, they are more like musicians. But all that being said, he is gone from the group, so let's just let go and enjoy the music. 

7. Remember That | BTOB 

YAY they are back. As a full group this time. With SUNGJAEEEEE. Did I make it obvious enough who my bias is? HAHAHA I liked him since they debuted (i even bought his merchandise......foolish fangirl days) not after his popularity skyrocketed from the dramas he did and WGM. OKAY THAT'S NOT THE MAIN POINT HERE sorry haha they are another group that has failed to get the recognition they truly deserve. But this is a group that is like a treasure to me, I love every single song of theirs and am so thankful for their songs for getting me through the days. Quick question. Anyone knows when is CUBE gonna step up their game and give them a song that will bring them the fame, since they already have so much potential to do so???? I hope the answer to that is not never. These boys have waited long enough for their breakthrough yet sadly this song is still not good enough for the ticket to stardom. Better luck with the next song :(

8. Liar Liar | Oh My Girl

Another one of the few girl groups I enjoy listening to, and also very underrated (compared to overrated groups like GFRIEND imo la). This song is refreshing and cute, but the high pitched parts kinda annoy me while listening, but overall the song is catchy and nice enough to make me listen through the whole thing on replay. This may sound like something Red Velvet will promote, but I think it will be too cute for their style. Hyojung's parts in this song were the best and was the song's SAVING GRACE, but Closer is still a better song IMO. Definitely looking forward to their next comeback ^^ !! 

Continue reading Music | Feb & March

Life | Random Thoughts

I came across this post on The Odyssey and I can relate to it so much, so I'm just leaving it here.

I remember being about ten years old and watching movie after movie featuring the same type of people—people in their twenties. I developed this romanticized idea that from ages 20–29 life was super awesome all the time. Now that I am at the tip of the ten-year iceberg known as my twenties, I have realized that simply is not true. Our twenties are a lot of things. Sometimes they are awesome. Sometimes they are ugly. Sometimes they are fun. Sometimes they are painful. Sometimes they are confusing. Sometimes they are enlightening. But one thing is for sure… they are anything BUT easy.     

 And something I found about gemini that isn't totally relateable but those in bold and italics are.

You have a quick, bright and agile mind, but an extremely short attention span. You love the external, kaleidoscopic aspects of life, but you tend to avoid (and even fear) deep, close emotional involvements. As such, you seem to enjoy travel and sightseeing and generally being "on-the-go." You get quite listless when things around you become static and dull, but your excitement returns whenever you are stimulated by a new idea. Chatty, inquisitive and quite playful, you enjoy practical jokes and games in general. Your moods change quickly and often -- you are very restless and constantly in motion. You are known for your versatility and adaptability. Your vivaciousness enlivens any social gathering. 
An idealist, you prefer the grand, the beautiful, the good and the noble. You get very disappointed when your high expectations in life are not met. Very curious by nature, you enjoy traveling and learning about other peoples and cultures. Try to avoid your tendency to ignore the small but important details of living. You are independent and free, and you want others to be that way, too. Optimistic, buoyant and cheerful, others like to have you around. You have an incessant desire to learn as much as possible about metaphysics, religion, philosophy and any other broad, deep subject. Your life tends to be punctuated by bursts of energy and frenetic activity. 
Your mind is active, quick and agile. You are very restless and you get bored easily. Unless you receive constant mental stimulation, you become extremely nervous and begin to act in an unstable manner. You are probably a good student because of your natural inquisitiveness. You also love to travel. Your learning tends to be superficial, though, because you have a relatively short attention span. Try to develop the mental discipline to finish what you start. Also, you tend to talk on at times seemingly just to fill space -- make sure that your conversation has some substance to it or others will start avoiding you.
You like to be very close to other people. You need emotional support yourself and are willing to give it to others. When you feel unloved and insecure, you can be very jealous and possessive. You are not interested in casual or superficial relationships -- only deep emotional involvements interest you. Your faithful devotion is one of your greatest gifts, but be careful not to become too dependent on others. Learn to stand on your own two feet and demand your own rights once in a while. 
You are very aware of the need to cooperate with others in order to further any effort. You are usually willing to compromise with others, although you can be quite competitive in a friendly way. Very fair- minded and impartial, you have the ability to sense injustice and the desire to take corrective actions to make proper compensations. You see both sides of issues and questions, but you tend to be undecided or wavering when forced to make choices that might make you vulnerable or unpopular. 

Who am I kidding haha almost the whole paragraph describes me, I'm always amazed by horoscope readings!

It is what it is. It was what it was.

Continue reading Life | Random Thoughts

Life | Wisdom Tooth Removal

It has truly been one hell of a week. 

For the past seven days, I've been eating porridge and other soft foods like ice cream, cakes, eggs and did I mention porridge?

I was nagged by my dentist since 4 years ago to remove my wisdom tooth since they were growing in weird positions (but after consulting another dentist I discovered it wasn't really THAT weird. tsk.) and they could cause problems when I got older. At an age where most of my friends were only doing braces, removing wisdom teeth sounded stupid and unnecessary. And it costs ALOT (an average of $900 - $1200) to remove just one tooth. Taking out all 4 would mean a huge amount of nearly $5000. Plus, it is best to rest for at least one week (most people get 5 days MC). Being a student back then, taking one week off from school was out of the question with O levels and A levels to prepare for.

So here I am, 4 years later and suffering from not taking them out earlier. Recently the spacing between my teeth become non-existent and the front teeth started to overlap. I kept waking up from the pain/irritation at night and eventually my dentist told me again to take them out. It's advisable to take them out at ages 19-24 when the teeth are more stable yet roots have not grown completely, and bone soft enough to drill through.

So I did. On the day of the supposed surgery, I took an xray and guess what? He said that it was too risky as one of the roots was near the nerve and he didn't have the confidence to do it. He persuaded me and my mum (under much confusion and pressure) to take a CT scan of my teeth so that other dentists could operate on it with better precision (???) Good thing was that he was being honest about it if not I would have risked losing my tastebuds or facial control if anything went wrong LOL. Bad thing was that, the CT scan was a complete waste of money ($600 bucks and we still regret it) and I had to find another dentist ASAP. My mum's colleague recommended me to Thomson Medical and thank goodness I went there. The staff there were so nice and patient, and the dentist was probably the best medical/healthcare personnel I ever encountered. Sadly she couldn't operate on it too but she referred me to an oral surgeon and I got it done and over with a week later. 

How  did the process feel like?

(I'm writing this post as I couldn't find alot of useful posts on this online heh)

Anyways, it felt like hell. 

Okay kidding it wasn't as bad as dislocating my knee, but it felt like hell because I was the one who chose to have the surgery. What I mean is, accidents always happen, but this surgery is one that I chose to go through, and for that reason I felt like I was putting myself through hell. 

Some cream was applied to the right side of my mouth (I was taking out both molars on the right) and after 10 minutes, the surgeon injected LA into gums and I was awake through the whole process. I could feel the pressure, the pulling and pushing. It didn't hurt because my nerves were numbed, and they even covered my eyes and body. But from the sounds of the drilling and the force the surgeon was using, I knew that my jaw and mouth would be VERRRRRRY sore after the surgery. I guess I was just traumatised because I wasn't mentally prepared and the drilling sounds were so close to my ear, it felt like the surgeon was tearing down a building in my mouth hahaha

Removing the teeth took about 30 min and the whole thing was done in about one hour. 

The anaesthetic wore off about 3hours later but the gum bled non-stop till dinner and I could hardly drink/swallow anything.

I could not open my mouth fully, smile or brush my right teeth teeth/gum for the next few days too. 

Diet was like I mentioned, mostly porridge and anything that required minimal chewing. 

And that made me really angsty, since I was stuck at home just waiting for days to pass. I felt like a pig, just eating and sleeping heh oink. I wasn't in pain, but I was too uncomfortable with the swollen cheek and jaw that I did not want to do anything.

On Day 6 and 7 (today), I managed to eat some bread (YAY FOOD!!) AND I HOPE TO EAT MORE REAL FOOD AFTER TAKING OUT STITCHES TMRW :) bless me cuz shermin told me that taking stitches out is pain too. But I've survived this far, and I will get through it tmrw and EAT GLORIOUS FOOD (I'm writing this with a growling stomach now....)

Don't wish it were easier, wish you were better. - Jim Rohn

Reviews to do:
- music (feb/mar)
- six flying dragons

Continue reading Life | Wisdom Tooth Removal