The end of another year (and decade), the start of another. I think it's customary to stop at this point in time and take stock of what has occurred in the past year of your life, reflect on how you have handled these events, and how you are going to lead your life in the year(s) ahead. Cue collective groan about having to go through another emo-ish entry =p
But that's not the case. I think 2009 had been a pretty good year! Following my ORD in November 2008, I started work as a temporary staff at Alexandra Hospital Pharmacy, and was there from December all the way till late June. I had previously written a summary about my job experience there when I left, so I won't elaborate on it too much. In short, work was really fulfilling, partly because it was what I was going to be doing in a few years' time when I graduate from Pharmacy School. The most fulfilling part though, as I previously mentioned, was to see my efforts come into fruition. Sharon's Bactroban project and Doreen's PPI project were but two examples, though I only saw the end product for Sharon's project when she made the presentation at Clinical forum in late August. It was my first foray into the working world, and I would like to think that I did pretty okay! Not forgetting meeting all the people I've gotten to know through work. Some relationships were merely cordial, others were more. In any case, I'm glad that I have gotten to know everyone (:
2009 also marks my first foray into field soccer! Haha I think I've only played like, three or four games previously? One back with the Falkens back in I think 2003, one together as a team of "new" specialists back when we first got posted to Jurong Camp, and here and there during 30 SCE events like inter-coy soccer competitions. It started off as a rag-tag group of players, some were our fellow specs from 30 SCE, others were Weiquan's former classmates and schoolmates, while Jie Sheng was invited by me and Darren was in turn invited by him. Basically everyone came from everywhere! We started off with a 10-1 victory haha I still remember that match. It was more of our opponents being really bad than us being an awesome team however. But over time, we did indeed gel into quite a formidable team. Jie Sheng had always been a mean centre-back for us, and after Hao Jun settled in nicely alongside him we got a really stable defence. I started off playing on the left and right wings, then I evolved into a striker as SiHien left for studies in the US as well. Regrettably we failed to keep statistics for our games, but I believe we have played 15 games thus far, while I have played in 13, scoring 11 goals in the process (:
Anyway, that was a slight digress from the sequence of events of the year haha. After my six-month work stint, I had a short break, which was followed by a trip to Bintan, sort of the one last hurrah that I had with Zuo Yi and Ash before they flew off to the United States for their studies in August. Then came along Pharmacy Freshmen Orientation, Kizuna 2009, where I surprised myself with my enthusiasm. I mean, I wasn't the most enthusiastic person there by far, but for someone who has been very cynical of orientation events in the past (and I mean very!), it was already quite remarkable! I followed that up with joining Rag Dance, even though I was also really against dancing in the past, probably because I fail horribly at it. I guess what went through my mind was that I had always been quite reclusive in such events in the past, and I wanted to shed that kind of cynicism simply because Uni is pretty much the last chance for us to participate in such activities. Sure there might be similar opportunities even after we start work, but it's a totally different scenario because there will be a lot of confounding factors in our lives by then, whereas now we can wholeheartedly enjoy the activities in a relatively stress-free environment. I can't quite explain, but somehow I just feel it's gonna be different.
And enjoy I did, and I haven't looked back since! Kizuna and Rag had allowed me to know this terrific bunch of people, with whom I've relished the highs and braved the lows of semester 1. I must say I felt a little like a misfit initially when term started. Sure there was this large group of friends I'll hang out with, but I didn't quite fit in anywhere in particular. Maybe it was just me being insecure as I had been before in the past, but I think I've mostly gotten over it (:
Perhaps it was also because I had to deal with Zuo Yi and Ashvin leaving for studies in the US. I think the three of us have come a long way since we first met in Scouting, in the sense that we have all grown into fine young men haha. I might be a little sad that they had to leave, but I'm really happy that they are pursuing their dreams. I'm sure we'll all be highly successful in the future! Like we used to joke, Zuo Yi will strike it rich starting his own business and buy Leeds United, I'll become the Chief Pharmacist of the Galaxy, and Ashvin will become Master Underling an accomplished engineer who designs some imba weapon for the SAF haha.
Going back to Uni life, in terms of the academic aspects of Uni, semester 1 was hectic! We all wondered how we'll adjust to schooling after such as long break, especially for us guys, and in the end, adjustment was no problem. The work just comes so hard and fast at you that you simply hit the ground running the moment it starts. You don't have to deliberately adjust to the work, you simply do, one way or another. Granted, some people adjust better than others haha but my point still stands.
In terms of clubs and activities, I started playing soccer for Raffles Hall, while I devoted the rest of my efforts towards the Pharmaceutical Society, while also joining the Freshmen Orientation Comm. It remains to be seen how good I've managed my time, but I think I'm satisfied with how I have handled my time thus far.
I also had my first ICT before the year ended. It was really challenging being a Company Sergeant Major, more so for someone who hadn't even turned 21 at that point in time, and also because my rank still hasn't caught up with my post haha. Thanks to the support of the specialists under me, especially Wai Leong, who performed admirably as a stand-in CQ, as well as the officers in my company, things went quite smoothly. I'm gonna do my best to be an outstanding CSM!
There are many other things that happened in 2009, but I guess these were the more notable ones and/or the ones I wanna mention. I'm quite satisfied with how the year has turned out to be, and I'm gonna do my utmost to make sure 2010 is fulfilling year as well. Like Zuo Yi, I don't just want to be mediocre and do decently in the things I endeavour to do, I want to excel in every aspect. Let's hope I can manage to achieve that!
I hereby wish everyone all the best in the year ahead as well. I'm sure everyone has what it takes to be successful in your own terms, by your own definitions of success. That being said, don't be overly dismayed if you fail! You only live once, so live it well and live happily! (:
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kheng yong; 19th dec 88
[x] Ashley
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