Time flies, eh?
I still remember entering UM as a freshie last year, wondering what this new phase of life would bring me..
Feelings experienced at that time? Probably a bit of anxiety, I was venturing into a whole new area of life ALONE. I remember worrying about leaving mum alone at that time... during orientation week. We were still getting over dad's passing on, so naturally I worried about her and called home as frequently as orientation week would allow it.
Orientation was pretty ok, survivable, about the same level as IPDA's one. I think. Haha. Looking back la, but I'll never want to go through it again. Just not my cup of tea to be treated like a cow, herded and shouted at all the time.
How did my first year go?
Let's see.
I entered uni determined NOT to be involved in UM's CF/PKV (Persaudaraan Kristian Varsiti) because I wanted a break from it, after serving so many years in school CF. Haha.
Next thing I know, I'm secretary of PKV's annual camp. -_-
And yeah, I kinda got Wai Yan involved (who coincidentally was just as determined not to be active LOL).
Still, it was a good experience, good time of bonding, laughing. :-) Workload was a lot heavier... unlike schooling days, where I could hold a post and yet do nothing, only to find my work magically done for me. =P
Got involved in badminton, squash, debate... badminton and squash no big deal for me. Debate and emceeing, now those 2 were entirely new experiences for me, and good experiences they were too!
Hahaha. Emceeing for a 100 people function was fun, for a first-timer with absolutely no training whatsoever... 100 was a big enough crowd. =P
Debate was less fun, but learnt a lot. *Not that I want to debate again.*
Was asked to join UM's badminton team alongside them national players, but got too busy to join their training... so I backed off after a while. Hmm. We'll see how this sem goes.
I did represent my faculty and college in tournaments though, and that was fun. :-) I've made friends with the staff in several departments due to my representing them in tournaments (they even snuck me in as a 'staff' for a staff tournament once LOL), they've got friendly smiles each time I've got stuff to deal with them.
What else?
Music-wise, I've yet to see how their music department is like. By 2nd sem I had already shifted out of hostel so I never got an opportunity to see where my classical guitar playing stands amongst the rest. I'll find a way though. :-)
Academic wise? After my first week in uni, I told brother that I'd found my place in life. Haha, blogged about this before, but since this is the main gist of my 1st year, allow me to repeat it again. I felt like a fish in water right after I started uni. Kinda like how I pick up my badminton racquet and play a game after a long while... the "I am finally home" feeling is very very strong. :-)
I struggled with the concept of assignments for the first few months because I simply could not get into the habit of constantly studying/researching. I hated, detested that part. All my schooling years I've relied on last-minute studying to pull me through, and usually did poorly/was absent for monthly tests. So to suddenly have EVERY single piece of work I did week after week to be counted in my CGPA was darn stressful on my part.
I got used to it by 2nd semester, and griped less about it. I learnt to fret less over assignments, and began to enjoy them more. :-)
The most awesome thing about uni?
You can play all the time! Apart from dedicating some time for assignments, I was enjoying the rest of my time. Hahaha. Mum kept wondering how I could afford so much time just enjoying life, even in the midst of our 'study breaks'. And yet maintain my CGPA. It dropped from 4.00 to 3.97 from 1st sem to 2nd sem, but still pretty good considering the amount of time I spent on other activities (uni, badminton, church, guitar, lepaking, dating... the list goes on).
Hehe.
I packed this coming sem though, will have the heaviest combination of subjects ever, but I do want to do as many subjects as I can so that my final year is free.
*Takes a deep breath, readies meself to take on more subjects, spend more time on research!* The thing about my degree is that so so so much reading and researching and writing is required as compared to many other courses. Not that I'm complaining. :-)
So anyway, it's been a good first year. Joash has been an incredible companion throughout, and we're both grown and matured so much in the short time we've been dating.
Why, I was just telling Joash I could trace his 'growth'! Hahaha. When we first started out, he was a middleman for some biking shop. Then he started selling 2nd hand tyres. Then he started selling his personal belongings to buy machinery. As he used to tell me, "For the greater good." Then he started doing small-scale bike fixing stuff. After a while he decided to go big and set up his own workshop. :-) And it doesn't stop there, he's now expanding and offering more services.
It's incredible, the rate he just progresses. :-) I'm proud of all he has achieved, and still find it amazing that he has the strength and determination to persevere on even when HUGE obstacles come in the way! Huge and dangerous at times, eh my dear man? ;-)
Anyway, I'm going off-tangent. Haha. I'll begin next semester continuing my 2nd term as assistant secretary of PKV (no running away from secretarial work since young la, my face just screams "SECRETARY!!!" I think. :(), in charge of some PKV booth (which I still have no idea what to do...) and playing the keyboard for PKV's MSK (Malam Suai Kenal)... oh my, I need plenty of prayer..! Especially for the keyboard part. Haha I dislike being plugged in.. skill not enough. :( I'll sorely miss PKV's annual camp this sem though.. was supposed to be in charge of it but due to some probs it's off. Sigh. That was one thing I was looking forward to. Oh well, maybe it's about time I be sociable and join some FES camps. I will...
So that's pretty much it, here's a toast to a good 2nd year!! *Toasts* =P
God bless YOU, my dear reader!
Jo
No comments:
Post a Comment