Diploma Holder

NEED I SAY MORE? I'VE FINALLY GRADUATED FROM REPUBLIC POLYTECHNIC!

Along with my closest friends, it was quite a memorable albeit chaotic night. I couldn't find most of my friends, especially the ones I had grown closer to in class. I even discovered terrible news from one of my classmates. Lucky are the ones who could graduate. I feel so sad there were some who couldn't, and it was also someone I knew and grew closer to. Sigh.

Anyway, this journey has finally ended. Thank you all who've shared my up and down moments, happiness and tears, in times of stress where we helped each other and the past year of meeting FYP deadlines. Thank you Gamelan IG for bringing out a new passion in me, for allowing me to learn so much more about the world of traditional music, for giving me the chance to perform for so many shows under the tutelage of Amran as well. Thank you all facilitators for the devoted guidance throughout these three years. I'm not going to pretend and say that I made so many friends because of the ever changing classes each semester, but I have made friends who have shown me what true friendship is, and what it means to be there for each other, no matter what happens.

My Nagas, I just can't express enough gratitude for being there for me last year on Reflections day when I.... broke down. Things have changed so much for me since then but everyone had always respected my personal demons with myself and accepted it.

And my parents, for always respecting my decisions and helping me as I go along. They may not have been very pleased about my deep devotion to gamelan but they knew I've always been passionate about music. When school finally ended for me, they encouraged me to go into teaching when they knew that it was my plan. After a couple of rejections down the road, they told me not to give up hope. Their prayers have always been with me and for that, I can only thank Allah for giving me such supportive parents. They were so happy yesterday and even put on my gown and took pictures. So cute. :3

& of course, the one and only. It's a pity we couldn't take a photo with both us in the graduation robes, but heck, take what you can. A photo is still a photo. It's amazing that we've seen through three years of life in RP together. From the first day that we met as a class, I barely noticed him but he noticed me already on the orientation day. Out of all the rest, he chose me, me who looks like any other ordinary girl, me who is nothing special, me who is just me. & after a short conversation with him earlier about what's going to happen in future, I realized, I truly realized how so very truly lucky I am to have him by my side the past three years. All the ups and downs, the happiness we always share with each other, the tears we help to wipe away, the shoulders that are always there to lean on, the misunderstandings that always happen every once in a while. These things have taught me a lot in our relationship, and they have also made me stronger as a person. He always tries to remind me of his commitment to our relationship, especially when I start to feel insecure. I'm just so thankful to have him by my side, he who always knows how to cheer me up, he who puts up with my nonsense at times, he who knows how to entertain my stupid antics. Our journey in RP may have ended, but I hope it will still stretch out long ahead. Amin.

I am truly, unbelievably happy even though I'm listening to Glee - Get It Right. A sad but powerful song that pulls at the heartstrings. Glee never fails to amaze me.

I may not have liked Republic Polytechnic very much, but I can't deny that the school and its curriculum has equipped me with skills that I know will prepare me for my future, whatever comes. & not only that, I've made so many good and precious memories there, as well as friends that I will always remember and cherish.

I'll talk about AIC and Seed Institute another time. :)

I want to go back to this beautiful place called Melbourne. The Yarra River and Loch Ard Gorge.

Anyways, I am officially free from Uniqlo! I feel bad for the good friends that I made there though. They're still kind of suffering under #bitchplease. But they're quitting soon so that's fine. The management will always face staff shortage problems as long as they don't do something about their manners. Sigh. Whatever. It's my problem no more, though I do pity future staff who come in thinking that the working environment is as fun as it seems.

So, yeah. I'm a free bird now. No more "Welcome to Uniqlo/Thank you, hope to see you again!". No more team talks. No more being bullied around. No more rudeness to my face. No more cashiering. Most importantly, no more of the #bitchplease and the male #bitchplease. I'm sorry, no offence intended but I really can't stand this two. Their manners need some lessons from Mommy. I'm not trying to be mean but seriously, you can't be nice to customers and outrageous to your staff. Shouting at them on the shopfloor WITH customers around? That is NOT professionalism. Answering back on the walkie talkie with a "No more no more okay thank you bye" is NOT good manners. But hell, this is the reality of the working world.

But, all of that is finally over. Amidst that, I did make a few very good friends. Mostly Chinese because I realized that somehow, the Malays were a little racist. Yes, it's true. I saw and heard it myself. They talked in malay about a China staff right in front of me, and I happened to be good friends with that same China staff. And somehow, when I didn't have any problems with the other malays, except the #bitchplease(s) of course, the other chinese staff have something against them. Apparently from the way they were treated. It actually made me wonder. Not all of the malays were like that, of course. It's just this handful. Plus, #bitchplease, of course. Sigh. Working with children won't be easier than this, of course, but at least I find joy in teaching them. :)

Alright then, I guess that's all I'm gonna rant. Haha. Arts Festival show on the 26th of May! Gamelan Express shows on this Wednesday and 22nd. I'm gonna love these next weeks of pure freedom. But oh, AIC still hasn't called. But apparently they said on their website that successful applicants will be notified by mail. I HATE THIS! Bye.

I just want one whole day with you. No gamelan, no distractions, no commitments. Just you and me. Is that so much to ask for? Am I being selfish to ask for this? Cause I only just realized today that I have exactly 2 weeks left before the course begins. And in this 2 weeks, we already have so many things planned for us. How can I ever find just one day with you? One day to spend with you before you start your service to the country? I tell myself that it's going to be fine when you're inside. But I'm scared and you don't know how scared I am. I'm scared things would change. I'm just plain scared. That's why I want so badly for a day to remember you as you are now, where it's just us. Just us. Is that too much to ask for?

Breakfast with Ahmad in the morning cheers up my day. Walked around ION together before I go in for work made me even more happier. He dropped me off at Uniqlo B3 entrance before leaving for Woodlands left me in a good mood for the rest of the day. Plus, #bitchplease was not in for work so I had quite a peaceful time working in the store, doing whatever I want. Quite a smooth sailing day. Oh and I should add that I had quite a funny time with Thahirah as well, when she dropped by to buy some stuff. I thought she wanted to shopping for real but she just wanted to buy briefs for her boyfriend. It was her first time buying for him and my first experience helping someone figure out what briefs to buy. We were so awkward and self-conscious. When she paid for the two briefs, it just had to be Charles at the cashier. Until now, I can never understand a word that Pinoy says to me so when he said something to us, I was like, ah. Hahaha. Thahirah accompanied me for my lunch at Popeyes after that and we talked about like, everything. But mostly it was me asking about her experience when Hannan was in NS. I'm actually very scared and nervous for my own experience. But she told me not to worry. :) But me being me, I'd worry. Ohwells.

There's work tomorrow and Sunday, and then pay comes in on Monday. When I come in for work on Wednesday, I'll be turning my resignation form in. Heh. Heeeehhhhh.

Oh and, BIG NEWS. Remember I mentioned about AIC offering a Trainee Teacher position with a full sponsorship for this Diploma in Early Childhood - Teaching. Which means that while you study for this diploma, you're also doing part time at a kindergarten centre AND you're getting paid a monthly salary as well. So, well, I went for the second interview at Bedok KCC Blk 135 centre about two weeks ago. At first, it sounded like I might not get it because they need a teacher for the morning class but I have to be studying in the morning. I will only be at the centre from 12pm onwards. And then last week, the principal called me to tell me to give her two more days to find a relief for me. So I told her I was fine with that. And then! On Monday, during gamelan, she called me again and told me, "I still can't find a relief for you but never mind. My BA just wants you to go ahead and take the pre-employment medical test first, and also come down to our centre to sign the contract." I remember her exact words because at that moment, my heart really soared. BA means Branch Advisor, by the way. So, yesterday, I went down to Bedok again to sign the contract. After the paperwork was done, the BA shook my hand to thank me for my time and said, "Welcome to the family." My heart SOARED even higher. I swear I left the centre with a huge smile on my face.

All I need now is to wait for the acceptance letter from AIC for the course. :) Syukur Alhamdulillah. 

Okay, this is about all I have to say for now. I have quite irritating colleagues at my workplace that makes me wish time would pass even faster so that I can quit.

I miss spending everyday with Gamelan. I miss THAT life now.

Graduation in 13 days!!! :D