Twenty-three

If my twelve-year-old self appeared before me, she would have been surprised. "You are twenty-three! And you look like you haven't changed a bit!"

My twelve-year-old self would have great expectations of me. I should have at least written a novel by now, worked several part-time jobs, traveled alone to some great cities in Europe or had a few relationships before. But I haven't done any of that. My twelve-year-old self would be sorely disappointed in me - in her future - because I am still working towards my first degree, still dependent on my parents and still very afraid to travel alone or confess to a person I like.

But I will tell her:

"Hey, you know we are good dreamers. As much as we embrace the night, we also love to enjoy the sunrise. You might be sorry that I am now twenty-three and very old (to you, anyway) but I assure you, twenty-three is not the end. It is the end of my days as a full-time student, being carefree. But this also marks the beginning of independence and becoming a full-fledged member of society. It certainly will be the beginning of many things - job, hobbies, love. Because we are such good dreamers, we will dream of new dreams and renew some. I am only twenty-three and you, twelve. We are afraid of changes happening around us, but we are also very hopeful for the future. And that should be good enough for us to go through each day. 


I hope this reassures you a little bit, even though you are very doubtful (I know this, because you were me). Come, take my hands. Let's walk together. And I hope that at the end of this road, our thirty-five-year-old self is not disappointed with what we have become."

Momiken

I am currently obsessed with him. He is the bassist of Spyair, an up-and-coming J-rock band. I would regard him as the silent member of the band. He doesn't seem to like to talk, blog or Twitter much - unlike his other band members.

The reason I like him is because he is the brain behind two of my favourite Spyair songs: "Beautiful" and "Samurai Heart". Both songs really 'spoke' to me a great deal. The lyrics are sensitive, vulnerable and also empowering at the same time. They make me think that Momiken is such an amazing person. =)

I would love to see him and the rest of the band perform live someday.

What school taught me

Primary school:
Pencils are used in all of our homework. At this point, mistakes done can be easily erased.

Secondary school:
Upgrade to pen. While we relish the feeling of being adult-like, any writing mistakes done at this stage cannot be done away with an eraser. You can try, but trust me, you are going to end with a huge hole in your book.

College and Uni:
Oh curse the oral exams and presentations! This stage of education teaches us that gift of the gab is important. And that any words you've said cannot be taken back. So, be careful of what you say.

It's now 7.04pm... and no sign of an email about supplementary oral exam for the placement unit!

Can I finally shout in jubilation and glee?

OH YEAH BABY!!!

I'd rather sing for 15 minutes in front of a crowd of thousands of people, than sit in a small room with two examiners.

Oral exam is the worst kind of assessment structure, in my honest opinion.

Finally met the tutor who marked my placement workbook. He was also my examiner for the placement oral exam. FML.

Did okay in the workbook component but the oral exam? I have no freakin' idea. I wish they could tally our marks immediately after the exam ends. It would definitely save me from nightmares and panic attacks. Instead of doing that, the tutors go for toilet breaks and refill their coffee cups! I do wish they prioritise my well-being over their own. Haha.