As highlighted by a yahoo groupmate, this year is the 10th year anniversary of my University graduation.
In 1998, I stepped out into the world, armed with a degree, ready to save the world.
What the hell did I know then.
Today, as we grapple with increasing petrol prices, dirtier air, clowns posing as politicians and the possibility of having no rice in sight, I'm lucky if I could save even myself.
Looking back, I'm convinced things are better.
In 1992 I went into Matriculation and discovered myself. I had no clue who I was before.
In a few months I blossomed into something I never knew I had in me.
In a year plus, I was pretty kickass, winning first place in the Girls' College Student Body Election, getting fantastic grades, earning myself a first boyfriend, a handsome hockey player from another Matriculation college who couldn' take his eyes off me ;-)
I was smokin' hot and nothing could get in my way.
I smooth-sailed through University and never really had to struggle, juggling studying, having fun, boys and everything in between. Never mind that I didn't have much money then, I always managed to laugh my way through.
Studies were even dangerously exciting. Everything was last minute and assignments were completed at the 11th hour. Especially the Grade A ones. The secret? Damn insightful group discussions.
I'd have to thank my group members for such intriguing group discussion sessions -we discussed everything, the assignments, the projects, the finals. It was the musyawarah concept, the unselfish heart to heart discussions, the spirit of teamwork and solidarity that did the job.
Those few years had me discovering traits that shape me into who I am today and I also make lifelong friendships that gets me through life.
I learn to stare at problems in the face, gets stared right back and then gets pushed down. I pick myself up, brush the dust off and move on.
And now.. I'm financially sound, I'm blessed with a beautiful family, my parents are relatively healthy and I love my job.
But nothing beats a decade ago.
With fond memories, TESL 5 PPP/UKM - thank you for the fun times, the heartbreaking moments, the grow-up lessons.
I am what I am because of you.
In 1998, I stepped out into the world, armed with a degree, ready to save the world.
What the hell did I know then.
Today, as we grapple with increasing petrol prices, dirtier air, clowns posing as politicians and the possibility of having no rice in sight, I'm lucky if I could save even myself.
Looking back, I'm convinced things are better.
In 1992 I went into Matriculation and discovered myself. I had no clue who I was before.
In a few months I blossomed into something I never knew I had in me.
In a year plus, I was pretty kickass, winning first place in the Girls' College Student Body Election, getting fantastic grades, earning myself a first boyfriend, a handsome hockey player from another Matriculation college who couldn' take his eyes off me ;-)
I was smokin' hot and nothing could get in my way.
I smooth-sailed through University and never really had to struggle, juggling studying, having fun, boys and everything in between. Never mind that I didn't have much money then, I always managed to laugh my way through.
Studies were even dangerously exciting. Everything was last minute and assignments were completed at the 11th hour. Especially the Grade A ones. The secret? Damn insightful group discussions.
I'd have to thank my group members for such intriguing group discussion sessions -we discussed everything, the assignments, the projects, the finals. It was the musyawarah concept, the unselfish heart to heart discussions, the spirit of teamwork and solidarity that did the job.
Those few years had me discovering traits that shape me into who I am today and I also make lifelong friendships that gets me through life.
I learn to stare at problems in the face, gets stared right back and then gets pushed down. I pick myself up, brush the dust off and move on.
And now.. I'm financially sound, I'm blessed with a beautiful family, my parents are relatively healthy and I love my job.
But nothing beats a decade ago.
With fond memories, TESL 5 PPP/UKM - thank you for the fun times, the heartbreaking moments, the grow-up lessons.
I am what I am because of you.
TESL Power babe... Love ya and welcome to the wonderful world of blogging.. Took you awhile to get here but now that you are here, let's rock and roll!!!
ReplyDeleteNic (wherever that came from...),
ReplyDeleteCongrats... babey! Your own blog.. ;-) Didn't I tell you to post me the url?
Anyway, was it really a decade ago? Time does fly ek? I'm a lot wiser I'd say but still young at heart the TESL way :-D
All of you gals/guys are my hidden treasure & my humble strength. How I wish we can meet again once more... all of us!
Well, Nic great blog you have here. Will hopp again real soon. You keep 'em posting!
ps- due to age factor or perhaps number of kids I laboured, I fail to recall this hockey player cum ur bf. care to refresh my memory?
Hi there Ila, 10 years of adventurous experiences, heart-racking obstacles, etc....the list is endless.....those were the most beautiful happenings of all.....how can we beat that, huh...remember feminin, subang parade, etc, etc??? hahahha.....i can still laugh at all those brilliant things that we have encountered.....orang lain pun mcm group kita ke eh?
ReplyDeleteJoy: tengkiu, tengkiu, let's roll bebeh! Drop by soon k
ReplyDeleteJa: Nic is the first part of my name remember..;-) Sorry babe, terforgot to tell u, anyway baru sgt lagi ni.. not much to show yet! Ala mamat engineering tu... u xpernah jumpa ek.. anyway dia pegi US shortly after we met..so maybe u've never met him! Heh heh. Drop by soon k!
Dikny: We used to have so much much fun in your car, pegi subang parade for lunch... happening gilos! Ingat tak kita exchange phone number dgn d guys in the car next to us dekat satu traffic lite, using sign language? Hehe when it turned green, x sempat abis amik no terpaksa jalan! Oh my... to be 18 and have the world at your feet (^-^) Take care, drop by often ya!
Love ya guys!