Well, officially, today is the 3rd day of 2009. Woah, 2008 seems to have gone by in a flash, haven't it? Now, we are moving forward to 2009. It seems like not long ago, when 2008 started, isn't it? Either time passes too quickly, or I am completely oblivious to the passing of time.
Well, 2008 has been fun and meaningful, with new beginnings, relationships, friendships, maturity, knowledge, inner understanding, and social life being made. Old ties and relationship have also been strengthened (I hoped). 2008 has been an illuminating year for me. Well, let's get on with the (cliche?) look back and (mandatory?) reflection of the past year, shall we?
2008 was the year when I ORDed from the army. While army life has its fair share of ups and downs, it is still a phase of my life which I will trade away for. Army was the place where I first learn about "Office Politics". It was also the place where I met a bunch of NSFs/DXOs/Officers who are not "pain in the asses", but are actually actual human beings. Surprised huh (LOL)? The time spent in the Army, with the various emergencies and stresses has (I hope) made me more mature, and also shown what I was capable of. The ties and friendships made during my Army Life, I will cherished and treasured. People I would really like to thank for making my Army Life so fun and memorable include Mdm Serene Fua, Mdm Katherine Wong, Mdm Janet Loh, Hou Bingxin (BX), Leandro Siow, LTA Sherman Tan, Mervyn Lau, MAJ Lau Kin Wai, Kelvin, CPT Anthony Poh, CPT Eileen Tan, CPT Celine Tan, CPT Joshua, COL Bernard Lim, LTC Chin Sau Ho, Mdm Ng Sock Ping, MSG Jonathan Sem, Mr Ng Kok Wing, 3SG Wai Su Sian. Thanks for making my "forced" commitment in NS a fun and fulfiling one.
While after a break of about 2 weeks, I found a job as a Finance Clerk at Furama Hotel. While as it was technically the first job I had, it was a learning experience. Although my job was only to photocopy invoices, receipts, balancing receipts, and keying in data, plus the pay sort of sucks, I will still think fondly of this job, as it showed me the real side of the working life.
Luckily, I was offered a job at the Ministry of Finance (MOF) by LTC (Ret) Chin Sau Ho, who worked there as Director of Corporate Communications. So my mundane life as a Finance Clerk was replaced by the sort of "fun" and fulfiling job as a temp at the Corporate Comms side of MOF. At least, I would see the tangible impact of my work, and the job offered me a challenge, since I would be periodically required to translate articles from Chinese to English. Colleagues like Jerome, Eileen, Teresa, Grace, Leela was also patient and kind enough with me, never ever scolding or blaming for the occasional mistakes that I make. Another benefit of this job is that I would be almost "guarantee" a spot in this job during my University Holidays, despite the current financial crisis. Oh ya, another benefit of this job, it has sort of open up my mind and make me more aware of the current issues of Singapore, and the world.
While after the fun-filled work experiences, August saw the start of school and my pursuit of a higher education, after a 2 year "break" due to NS commitments. University life is so vastly different from JC, with its emphasis on self-reliance and policy of "own time, own target". You can be as slack as you want, or you can be as hardworking as you want. However, 2 years without studying has really addled my grey matter a lot. It seems that I cannot get into the groove for mugging, and it shows in my really average CAP of 3.0, out of a total of 5. Oh well, this only means that I would have to buck up and work harder next semester. God, one more week till the end of vacation and the re-opening of school. SHIT!
Another thing that would always made 2008 so special and memorable for me, was due to me plucking up the courage of confessing to someone. My "first crush" does not count, since I was "outed" by my friends, way before, I had the intention or would have the intention of telling her. Oh well, it was like a surreal experience. Talking to her on MSN, then suddenly got the urge to just "blurt" out my feelings for her. Well, the pause in conversation was sort of "heart-stopping"...LOL, but, as I know deep down inside of my heart, I stood no chance at all. Still, at least a burden is lifted from my heart, and hey, at least, I am still close friends with her, and her current BF. Although it feels sort of awkward to see them so lovey-dovey over each other, when we go out together, but still, I guess I am less "envious" and "jealous" of them than I thought I would be. Oh well, I guess I would only treat this as a "learning" experience.
Well, too much words: Time to end off with some New Year Resolutions:
1) Achieve a CAP of 3.5, so as to be able to do a Honors Thesis in Year 4
2) Treasure and appreciate my friends and family more.
Well, enough reflecting, time to get with the programme...See ya all soon.
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