Officially Done

As of 3.30 p.m. today, my graduate study has come to its completion when I handed in four copies of my dissertation in the form of hard cover binding to the Centre of Postgraduate Studies.

In a blink of an eye, my two-year study has come to an end and I'm having mixed feeling over it.

Happy - because I've finally completed all my courses and dissertation. No more worries over presentation, assignments, literature reviews, pilot-testing, meeting the relevant authorities to get permission to conduct survey and interviews, trying to make sense of SPSS, interpreting the data, transcribing the interviews, drafting, writing, rewriting, suffering from anxiety up till the last minute prior to meeting up my dear supervisor for his comments on my work, etc.  

Sad - because my life as a full-time postgrad student has come to end and it will be back to work - teaching. My two-year of 'rest' is ending in exactly five days. I am dreading the routines and the tasks of facing SIX (plus / minus one) classes of 45 (plus / minus five) upper secondary school students. The idea of becoming a full-time student is most appealing - that is if I could get the best deal - getting another scholarship to further my studies.

I would have to serve my bond with the government for three years before I am 'allowed' to go anywhere else, unless another miracle happens and I get to go off for a fully sponsored doctorate study. That - is my wishful thinking at this moment.

And so I bid farewell to my school.

The dreaded corridor where we'd be cramming in some theories

while waiting to enter the rooms to sit for our exams.

Farewell. I don't think I'll be missing you.