The Beginning of an End (NUS Commencement 09072008)

Today is my commencement day. I finally completed my 17 years of education which is equivalent to 6209 days or 149016 hours or 8940960 minutes or 536457600 seconds. And today also marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life. It is no longer a matter of opening up the textbooks or lecture notes to read and memorize. Nor is it as simple as sitting for an examination. Strange....taking an examination now seems to me to be a thing of the past and it no longer ignites the same kind of fear that I had just a few months ago during my final examinations.

This new chapter of my life means much more than all the book-reading and merry-making life that I had in the university. Realities of the world outside begin to set in in my mind. I realise that I am finally growing into adulthood! Perhaps, I am already in adulthood. Looking for a secure job, working towards clearing off my mountainous loans and most importantly, striving with my wife-to-be for a brighter future.

I almost cried during the ceremony when I did some self-reflection on how I had managed to pull myself through all the hardships of life and studies till this stage. Thank you God for giving me the strength, for being with me all the time and saving me from any anxiety.

Thank you to my wonderful parents who had brought me into this world. No matter how tough life was on us, you never gave up trying to provide only the best for us. I wouldn't have gotten this far without your hard work and perseverance.

Thank you to my DD who has been giving me her fullest support, always being there for me whenever I needed her. It was sad that she couldn't attend my convo today; but well, I just need to tell myself that she's in school for a better cause. Well, DD, I appreciate all that you have done for me throughout all these years that we have been together.

Thank you also to my coursemates, you know who you are..Remember those days when I would look you up for a 'discussion' on a due assignment. Haha...well, I could't have survived my uni days without your generous help and patient guidance.

Thank you also to my best friend (Min) and Dina who attended my commencement today. Thank you for being there for me all the time in hall to listen to my crapz and thanks to your sensible words too.. I certainly dun mind to travel often to Block C.. Haha..By the way, I really like the lion a lot. Don't forget to invite me to your commencement day too ok..

Not to forget, Hui Tse, Hui Ling , Hui Ching and Hui Teng (The 4 Princesses) for the wallet. Thank you all for the thought. This is my promise to myself, I will use it when I start my first job.

Here are some photos that I took during the commencement day

The cute little lion

Me, Melinda and Yi Ling

Throwing the mortar board into the air symbolizes our flights to freedom

Huimin, Dina and I
"R" for Raymond
The three of us


Me and my wonderful parents. Thank you mummy and daddy

Me and Mean Huay. I knew her from EC1101e, and GEK1018

Alvin and I. (I knew him from Money and Banking course)

My parents and I

Dr Lee Soo Ann and I. Besides having the same surname, he was my lecturer for modern econs in sg

Ms Tan Bee Huay and I

Me and Kai Qin. A kind hearted lady who always render her help to other people

Yi Ling and I. I knew her since year 1.

My bro, Kok Sen and I. Its so nice bro to work with you, especially in Sentosa. Its "fun" to to listen to your lame joke.

Dina, Me and Huimin

Melinda and I. I knew her from Money and Banking course. The strange thing is, We never talk to each other in tutorial or even lecture. Yet we can become so close.. haha

Melinda, me and Sheng Feng