Graduated and Employed

My commencement was held today. It was NICE. Especially like the end part where balloons and confetti poured down from the top of the uni cultural hall. And was really glad that I got an extra invitation card too - that means daddy, and both my grandparents could watch the ceremony in the hall itself.

Took plenty of pics - but wish I bumped into more of my peers. However, I was rather limited in terms of movement for too much photo-taking.

I consider it a very lovely ending to my four years of uni education, with family and friends.

On top of that I am now officially hired by MSD (my IA company) as a chemist! :D So happy to be employed. Going for medical checkup tomorrow. Hopefully I'll learn much from my job. The shift hours are a bit challenging, not to mention that Kovan is like 40 km away from Tuas!!!! But still - the pay is awesome. It makes everything worth it.

Thank God for everything: and I know there's something else He wants me to do within these two years - probably a people thing. :) Will pray hard and work hard. Now everything has kind of settled - my worst battle would probably be against complacency. Constant vigilance is required.

Must. Use. Internet. Sparingly

Surviving on half-baked internet until the 28th this month. This is what happens when you moved into a new house where everything is installed from scratch. I'm typing this on top speed btw.

We moved into Kovan Court like 1 - 2 weeks ago. Nice apartment. Big living room. Comfy rooms. Nice neighborhood. I will have to walk 600 m to MRT each day for work, and I shall regard it as my daily exercise. Not fun when it rains though.

We have had people coming over. Boss & WM. Tirza. Joanne, Andrew, Jon's parents tomorrow. And my remaining housemates: Waipheng and Yew Hong. So far I've been staying here with Jon & Jerome. It's kind of fun playing house. We had had nice times, nice meals, and overdose of boardgame sessions. :D Jerome has a collection of nice games. I borrowed books from the public library too. Time to max out the usage of my library membership which I paid $10 for.

My commencement is on this Tuesday. Hope I don't look weird in my gown. My 2nd interview is on Monday. Hope I get the job! :)

Thank God for the nice move-in, pleasant staying experience, great housemates, and a good time of fellowship from friends and church-mates. Long may this last! :)

Interview Prep Phase One

I'm kind of preparing for an interview to work for real in the organization I was once attached to as an intern. And guess how I'm preparing for it? By going through all my industrial attachment reports. :p

While our reports were not actually graded (industrial attachment is a pass/fail module), I was glad that I really did those properly. Now I can remember everything I observed from the organization, the conclusions I draw, the emotions I felt, the aspirations I had, the persons who helped me (I listed down all their names and help offered in alphabetical order down the 'Acknowledgements' page). There were things I forgot, and remembered all over again. There were emotions which only an intern can feel, and this intern has to remind the full-time-worker-to-be, how to work with a sense of mission, how to aim higher and not merely look at salary and benefits.

I miss intern life, it has its ups and downs, but it was the period which I felt that I really did my best, gave my best; and was appreciated. I'm very glad for my IA reports :)

Back to Singapore

Have been back to Singapore quite a few days ago. Quite a number of things happened. We had a wonderful Bible Study on Friday. Watched several short documentary videos of archaeological visits to Israel. I loved the faith lessons gleaned. The lesson of 'first fruits' - the Israelites gave the first fruits that came out from the harvest unto the Lord, in faith that He will give more. Imagine your crops are just starting to produce - and you give ALL of them up - knowing in faith that be there hail, storm, or dry seasons: God will still provide. The way the priests stepped foot-first into the quick waters of the Jordan river, after which only did the waters part. Giving God what is God's and the consequences of those who don't (the walls of Jericho which fell were Israel's first fruits of invasion, and as cursed, the builder lost his first and youngest son when the rebuilding of that wall started). Being set apart as God's people, and the consequence of Christians who don't want themselves to be seen, leading a safe and 'normal' life.

It was a joy seeing all campus peeps again for BS, supper, and lunch this afternoon. Simon, Tirza, Justin, JonC, Anne, Alicia, Andrew, Joanne. I miss Stacey though! I have been very touched by her care and concern for me especially throughout this particular year and the one that has passed.

All the lessons learned during Friday's BS has touched my heart and hit at the right places. And yes, promises I've been holding on to began to fruit, even this week. My ex-supervisor from my internship company had contacted me herself on the very night I came back to Singapore, offering to help me lookout for various positions. And after consulting a number of people, there's a vacancy for me in a laboratory which I'm familiar with. I can't say 'I have a job' now as it is still yet to be confirmed. It's still up to God whether this job is for me or not: because what is not mine is not going to be mine, if its not in His favor. But I will learn to wait, and give him my patience and faith.

Even IF i don't get this job, I am thankful for my supervisor's thoughts and love for me. I knew my working under her was no mistake. There were many many unknown complications in my IA selection that eventually led me to MSD and to her. I rejected two organizations which I initially planned to work with, but events intervened and I ended up there. I wondered 'why this position', and 'why this organization that is now downsizing', but it led up to this. And even if I don't get this job in the end: I know there's one He intends for me down the road. I am just very thankful to have worked under someone who cares for me as 'myself', instead of just as 'another student'.

And ohhhh in the spirit of randomness - Jerome bought Jon & me SABOTEUR from Europe! It's in Germany but it's a very nice and fun game! THANKEW JEROME :D :D

We sang this song in church today. The story of the cross may be old, but it is timeless. It touches hearts and changes lives even till today.