September 2022

 30/09/22 11:48 p.m.

This month was just a whirlpool, laced with a lot of self-reflection, self-doubts, and a constant feeling of either being stuck or lost. 

It was a reality check - a slap back into the real world. Having to manage school (i.e., content, group projects), work expectations, and external commitments that I have made, it was a real challenge to keep my head above water. But it is rather clear to me this month that it is not about getting through the week, it is all about getting through day by day. So, to get through every single day, there needs to be something in that day for me to wake up to, to look forward to, and to motivate me. All the little things matter to me, more than anyone can imagine. These little things make up my little joys, which get me going through the day, like for instance:

1. The swiss dude I was talking to randomly at the library, shared with me about all the hesitations in his life.

2. My friends checking up on me warmed my heart. 

3. Planning for beach clean-ups for the next 3 months to come and potentially a Pulau Ubin expedition, which I am so excited about. 

4. Midnight talks with my sister reminiscing over the past and all the time we had. 

5. Meeting and spending time with cw. 

6. Catching up with my old but gold friend, kc.

7. Finally met up with our dearest sir Jom, literally chilled our arses out at VeganBurg and promised to meet over soybean curd next time.

8. Prioritizing my health with scheduled and planned gym sessions 3 times a week to maintain my physical health (a mad commitment to myself I soon realized, but I would not trade it with anything else).

9. Getting into Winter SSP, which will lead me back to my hometown (and then to Malacca, then KL) after approximately 3 years - at least, I will have my end-of-year planned out (always good to touch base with my relatives and to see them - pretty excited). 

10. Committing to learning about a new industry - commodities and exploring what this industry has been up to (I never once did regret spending that 1.5 hours extra every week, on top of my schedule to attend the additional lecture).

11. My professors and the discussions we have helped me to clear the air about various concepts in the space. Industry speakers came down to share their own experiences and the golden nuggets that they have accumulated throughout their lifetimes. 

12. World Cleanup Day Community Gathering 2022 was the best night I had this month. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals who are fighting and believing in the same cause, is such an exhilarating feeling.

13. A solid crew working on the microalgae and I am more than excited to see what that will become.

14. Meeting up with Adams literally after such a long time - glad to see this girl and to be able to finally connect up.

Not a lot of things, but they pulled me through this week. And I am more than grateful for every encounter, moment, and time together. The upcoming week will be recess week and this will give me the buffer time I require to buckle myself up and get myself together for mid-terms, group projects, and preparation for finals. I know that the semester will end before I know it. Graduating in 3 more semesters.

Total: 3.5 years + 0.5 years (LOA)

Expected Graduation: August 2024, FT: 2024

Summer Count: 1; Winter Count: 1