Official beginnings.

So I've graduated - the official proceedings have been attended and the caps have been tossed. It doesn't feel any different though, perhaps because I've been working for almost two months now. I do think the entire process is a tad overrated, but it did wrap up my final four years of education very nicely and provided my academic pursuit with a closure of sorts. I've never been a fan of NTU, but it is the place where I forged several unforgettable friendships. And the school did offer me many opportunities, some of which without I wouldn't be where I am today. So yes, it has been a tediously long but nevertheless fruitful time.

The safety net that comes with being a student has officially been whipped away, but I like feeling the ground beneath my feet. :)

The end of school and all that.

The end of school and all that.

Soooo... school officially ended (minus exams) with Monday's FYP presentation. There's been quite a bit of fanfare going on about the campus and on Facebook, and quite a show of school spirit. I don't quite feel it but it is a little surreal, as it felt just like yesterday that I was a clueless dope at the orientation camp. I've made new friends, drifted from some and got really close to others, over the four years, but as D said, we probably wouldn't keep in touch with many. But I am grateful nonetheless, for those whom have become family over time.

Most of my week's enthusiasm and nerves were instead channelled towards my first days at the office, where I'd gone to help out during production. Turns out the journey to the office isn't as painful as I'd made it out to be, and while it may be a little too early to say, I think I've joined a fabulous team. It was however a little tough being thrown into the grind of production right after school, but I think it made last night's glass of sparkly that bit more satisfying.

TGIF? :)

Surprise revelation.

Surprise revelation.

More often than not, the person who gave you the most grief ends up being the person who teaches you an important lesson. When it comes to lecturers, Duffy definitely topped my list last semester.

I am not exactly subtle about my lack of appreciation of the irrelevance of the modules we take, but I really enjoyed his magazine publishing and travel writing classes. While I often griped about how he was a pain when it came to refining my ideas and writing, I suppose I did enjoy being stretched and challenged artistically by someone who's been there and done that. And surprisingly, I think I took away a lot more from his seemingly frivolous modules than I thought I would.

Bumping into him today for the first time this entire semester and sharing my writing plans drove home a point he always stressed back in class - writing for your reader. I won't go into details of kismet and what nots, but it's funny how that lesson subconsciously became the fundamental concept that guided and led me to my current job.

In fact, I think it is possibly the most important and life-impacting lesson I'm taking away from my four years in school. Man. How's that for a revelation?

Juggling.

Juggling.

The dreaded FYP report may be over and done with, but I'm swimming in a pool of work and back-to-back deadlines... enough to make me wish for a a quick idyllic beach getaway. Nope, juggling work and school is not easy and I am thankful that I never had to subject myself to pursuing a part-time degree while holding a full-time job.

I think I'll handle my time a lot better when school's finally out for good! Countdown: 35 days. Whoopeedoo.