The Un-namable "After-SPM-results" Period.

As you know, the annual SPM results come out around late March. 

After that happens, the annual Q&A period of how many As one scored comes up. Following that is the golden question regarding the next level of education. 

Often encountering this situation, I smile and tell people I'm not in college yet but I am waiting for my intake for A Levels, and avoid further questions because,

1) Most of them only ask because they are nosey, "kia-su" and are there to compare.

2) Majority of them don't genuinely give a flying unicorn about you. 

3) You will probably become the next thing they gossip about.

*The 3 points above are subject to individuals and is applied to people other than immediate family and close friends*

Some people tell me I'm wasting time and they ask me why not start college earlier. My reply is simple, because I don't want to rush into college just yet and I want to spend time doing things I want to do. Me. Myself & I.

Secondly, because technically September is the only intake other than January. 

After that, they ask how am I lazing and wasting the days aways while waiting for the intake. 

How am I spending my free time? Well, i spend it wisely. Let's see.

I have an amazing part time job.

I spend even more time with my family, especially my mum.

I do spend time with my friends.

I spend personal time with God. Amen.

I pick up cooking and new recipes.

I learn more songs on the instruments.

I can travel to another state, or country nearby.

I read books I've always wanted to read.

I read up on law and even more literature to grasp whatever I can before college.

I continue drawing and painting (even though I'm mediocre.)

I continue creative writing as well as photo/movie-making.

I learn new things every day.

So no, I don't think it's a waste of time because I'm doing everything that makes me really happy.

I had a few people (Adults) who actually told me upfront to my face that my choice in A-Levels is apparently to them, "a waste of time" and once, an incredibly harsh and ignorant woman (a spinster even though she was married), told me that I wasn't confident and didn't know what i want.

I told them all with a smile that it is my choice and decision to go for A Levels, as I preferred having numerous options for university and my career in the future. Yes, the plan is Law all the way, but what's the harm in having even more options? Why not? I obviously do know what I want. I even know what type of house I'd like and how I'd like to sue ignorant snots in the high court in the future. Thank God. I have aims, goals and visions but there is no harm in wanting to expand. I'm very thankful to God that I have a family who loves and supports me all the way.

I think that each course, IB, A-Levels, Diploma, Foundation etc are all designed for different individuals with different preferences. That is why i don't believe that one is better than the other as each of us are made differently. If some ignorant, half-assed, small minded nincompoop has the guts to tell you straight to your face that you're in the wrong direction, build up the courage to tell them what you really feel. Everybody is entitled to their own opinions but then, an empty vessel makes the most noise. 

So yes, this is what's happening. Dear juniors, if you are reading this, this is what to expect annually. All the best and May the Odds be ever in your Favor!

Singapore.

Orchard at night.

About this time last week, I was in Singapore.

My aunt was on a business trip so my parents agreed that it would be good i stayed with her at Pan Pacific at Somerset situated in the heart of Singapore for about a week, to be independent. I was in Singapore from the 9th-15th April 2014.

The hotel i stayed in was absolutely fantastic. Breakfast was so fabulous. It was partly a buffet and an a-la carte breakfast. I had Salmon and Bagel, French Raisin toast, Belgian waffles and the list goes on and on.

Egg benedict.

Salmon and Bagel.

I met quite a few people there, lunch appointments and outings. There was my Aunt Chris and her sister as well as their teenage nephew, my Aunt Gaik and Aunt Mei Lin and her family, Yani from KZKL and not forgetting my mother's school friends.

Ms. Yani.

Of course, I visited a few places like the famous Marina Bay Mall and the Gardens by the Bay, Bugis Street, Chinatown, the Peranakan Museum and the art gallery. Since i was staying at Somerset around Orchard, right in the heart of Singapore, I was in a shopping paradise so I didn't need to travel that far for shopping. They had Starbucks and Forever 21 at every corner. Their H&M outlet was massive.

Chinatown.

Gardens by the Bay.

Marina Bay Sands.

Peranakan Museum.

Bugis Street.

The streets of Singapore.

There are a few things I would like to point out in Singapore:

1) Public Transportation.

It is ridiculously easy and convenient to get around in Singapore. The public transportation system is amazing not to mention the traffic is so smooth, at junctions and even one or two way roads, the pedestrian crossing and traffic lights are timed perfectly. 

2) Cleanliness.

It would be beyond difficult to rate the scale of cleanliness in Singapore, it is so clean the scale would break. Trust me, there isn't rubbish. At all. 

3) The Lifestyle.

Singapore is a fast moving city. In the hustle and bustle of the loud, noisy, brightly lit city, everyone knows exactly where they're heading and how they're heading there. (Except for the tourists standing there with GPS-es and maps). Everyone and everything moves at such a quick pace compared to in KL. The senior citizens actually walk faster than me, even the escalators move faster than whatever speed I'm used to.

I think Singapore is an interesting and hygienic city. Like every great city in the world, it wasn't built in a day. That is why I think it is necessary for one to travel the world. There is beauty in every city, every nook and cranny.

Friendship

Friendship is a pretty important thing.

No, wait. Scratch that.

Friendship is one of the most important things in the world. Period.

When you meet someone new, you decide if you have anything in common and whether or not the friendship could go anywhere.You'll ask yourself if you want that person in your life.

From there, you will slowly get to know them- their likes and dislikes, strengths and weakness, as well as flaws. As the years go by, the friendship strengthen and builds, goes through trials and small arguments only to come out stronger. Friendship is about understanding and not agreeing all the time. 

The beauty of friendship is that you'll be able to talk to them about anything, grow together, pick each other up when one of you falls, share your pasts and secrets no matter how bad it is, complain about any bitch in your way, being able to trust them as well knowing you aren't judged and knowing you are accepted completely in their eyes. Friends are the family we choose for ourselves.

At times, a good friend- including one who played a huge part in your life, or one that have been there for you for as long as 5 years, might lie and just stab you in the back. You might even discover that there was always an agenda behind their friendliness and attempts of kindness. That they were using you and you weren't sharp enough to pick it up. Those shockingly unbelievable moments will hurt. They will sting and burn real badly but hey, pick yourself up, get over the shock, brush it off and smile. Things always happen for a reason. Be thankful because you were able to see their true colors before things got more serious. From there, you can decide what to do and whether or not you'd like to keep them in your lives, or keep them at arms' length. 

Someone wise once told me "You'd have to lose a friend sooner or later in life." That person is right. You will, you just won't know who and when, or even why. However, know that everything happens for a reason and that God has everything planned out. Even though along the way to where I am today, I've lost quite a few friends, I don't regret meeting them because you can't regret something that once made you smile. I will always cherish memories of what once was. 

Blogging completely from experience, strong friendships are really hard to find, difficult to forge but overall not impossible. Once a friendship based on a strong foundation is forged, don't let it go because those kinds are one in a million. I really appreciate and love all the good friends around me. Those who have genuinely been with me through thick and thin, the ones who put up with me, those who understand, accept and love me no matter what. I really thank God these amazing people are in my life. 

If you have a good friend, a true friend, a BFF or whatever you call it, cherish your friendship and never take him or her for granted because they're one in a million.

A New Chapter

How many of you know that feeling you get when you're engrossed in such a fascinating book where you hit the climax of the story and the plot is unravelled? With each chapter, you're thrown into different states as it gets better or worse for the leading character. All of us know that good books come to an end as time goes by.

As cheesy as it sounds, our life is like a book. The author is God the Creator and the story will come to an end eventually. With each phase of our life brings a new chapter. When one phase of our life comes to an end, the last page of that chapter is turned only to reveal another chapter of mystery.

As the saying goes, "yesterday was the past, today is the present and tomorrow is a mystery." We don't know when our life might end abruptly, that's why we should cherish every moment we're living, we have to seize the moment, seize the day - Carpe Diem.

This blog is a new chapter of my life. It dawned on me that the previous chapter of my life had ended the moment i held my SPM result slip in my hands. That slip showed me so many things. First being that 5 years of high school did not go to waste as the bittersweet memories, laughter, joy, friendship, knowledge and love will remain in my heart forever. Next being how life goes on and time flies by easily as it felt just like yesterday I was just starting in BRP. Third being how thankful I am to my family, friends (and haters), teachers, elders, pastors and especially God, for everything because I wouldn't be where I am today without them. These all showed me to appreciate those around me even more and to seize every possible moment. I had a good run in high school and I have absolutely no regrets. They say high school is the best 5 years of your life, from where I'm standing, the nostalgic memories replaying in my mind, the friendship forged, I agree. Make the best of every second, every moment, every day because one day you want to be able to look back and remember every step and opportunity you took. It's pretty much the same as reading a book for the first time and rereading it the second time, reliving every moment again.

As of this post, a new chapter in the book of my life has officially started.