Finally there and back again!

W00Ts!!! Just got news that The Hobbit movie has the green light to go, and will be directed by none other than PETER JACKSON himself!!!

How more wonderful can the news get!

OMG!! I can’t believe it! The first LotR movie has been out for almost a decade now. It’s time for more Tolkien ok!?

I cannot wait for this. The Lonely Mountain, Bard of Laketown, Smaug, Bilbo Baggins, Galdalf the Grey, Trolls, Gollum, THE RING, dwarves, Legolas, orcs…

I’m dreaming of a Tolkien Christmas!

It’s over!

It’s good to finish one of the top of my class, but at the same time it’s a little stressful to have to continue to be that. The end was definitely a beautiful two days of hard work and closure.

Day one was a presentation and poster session. The getting ready for both was tough, especially at the very beginning planning for the presentation because it was just for 8 minutes (with 7 minutes of questions) and to choose the best results to put inside to tell a good story is very difficult. I had a lot of problems with perfecting the introduction to make it flow properly. We had so many different versions with ideas bouncing around to make it better, before finally getting it miraculously during one of the practice sessions. And we trained so much that I could have explained without the powerpoint slides around.

So I had a great presentation going. Not surprising. But of course it was nerve-wrecking. For sure. You can tell from the laser pointer. I had to use both hands. But I showed enough confidence to work it. The panel really liked it, so it all worked out well in the end. I had people come around after just to let me know how good they thought it was, so it was very gratifying. It’s not a boast, it’s just that I know the amount of hard work my supervisors and I have put in to deserve it. It’s just a pity that it was a closed presentation. Would have loved sharing with my classmates the work I have done the past few months.

Then of course the after party. Too bad we were all too tired out to party properly! Haha… It was a little surreal playing Band Hero on the Xbox in My Goodness, the Irish pub we frequent. I think it incorporated the aspects of Amiens I have gotten used to: Band Hero, drinking, music and friends. It was an amazing time.

Then it was time to graduate. Finally. The day that we’ve all been waiting for. The next day we went to the Chambre du Commerce for our convocation. It was a pretty little place with an old hall and garden. It was really nice that both my supervisors took time off to come down for this. I mean, they didn’t have to. But they did. They are like my surrogate parents here, I’m sure. I’m a lucky, lucky girl.

I knew something was up when Jean-Noel winked at me while making his rounds as the photographer for the event. When my name was finally called, it was a tie for the top. Surprising, but very nice. VERY VERY nice, indeed. And the fact that my supervisors were around made it all the more special. I bet they are very proud of me. It was great getting their responce directly for my achievements. I’m sure they were very pleased with my performance. I think I’ve made a good choice for the next three years of my life and so did they.

So the Master’s have drawn to an end. It was very difficult saying goodbye to many people. And I know that I probably won’t be seeing a lot of them after. Unless there is some huge MESC gathering. I hope the couple gets married, then we’ll definitely see everyone again!

I wish great success for everyone, in all aspects of your lives. It was a great pleasure meeting all of you, from all over the world. You have been my life for two years, and thank you for making a mark in my existence. I hope we meet again.

I still can’t believe I graduated! I’m a Master graduate now! W00Ts!!!

Now, onto the next level!

The Last Hurrah!

Yes! It boils down to just 15 minutes. After this 15 minutes of my life, I’ll be a Master’s graduate. I CAN’T WAIT!!! I really can’t!

I think I’m ready to start another chapter of my life, even though it already overlaps with the current one.

It’s been a fun ride, these 2 years. Well, not all the time. But no regrets. For sure.

Come this time tomorrow, I’ll be busy getting drunk! Can’t wait!

Thank you, my dear supervisors. Wouldn’t have gotten so far without you both. I’m probably the luckiest girl alive!

Meanwhile, BRING IT!! Let’s kick some (research) ass!!!

There and back again.

I got by ass back to Amiens. I reached almost 13 hours ago. It’s a little strange to be back. A little surreal.

Parting was difficult this time around. I guess 4 weeks is indeed too short. The flight wasn’t good; it was superbly tubulent and I didn’t get much sleep. And my KrisWorld entertainment was a little wonky at times.

The amazing thing was that my luggage was already on the belt when I got there! That is really amazing if you know CDG airport! Hahahaha…

It was rainy, windy, gloomy, cloudy and yucky the moment I reached Amiens-land. But in a few minutes, the sun came back right out. I guess I brought the sun back! Or I would like to think so! Hahahaha… It’s always good to think positive. It sure didn’t rain the rest of the day!

Thanks to all for meeting up during my short stint back home. It’s really nice to see everyone and catch up. Should be going back Dec. See you guys then! Don’t miss me so! Hehehehehe…

I don’t think I’ll ever graduate!

HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! I’m suppose to finish writing the thesis here in Singapore. But I don’t think it’s possible! I’ve been trying! I really have! But I’m just so distracted. Maybe I should have finished it in Amiens before I headed back to Singapore. Hehehehe… I mean, I know what to write and which direction to go. But the inertia is so great, I don’t can’t even move on. Thank goodness I’ve already started, but it’s not good enough!

Being back in Singapore has been great so far. It’s nice to be able to intergrate with everything so fast. Some things just don’t change. But I’ve seen that there are a lot of changes around too. It seems strange to be a tourist in your own country, but it’s been great exploring the place. I think I’ve turned that to a positive thing now. It’s exciting to see the many changes!

Then again, there are always some things that I will never miss though. Like the graciousness of Singaporeans. That is one losing battle man. *tsk tsk* It will take a long time before Singapore can be called a gracious society. *shakes head*

Can’t wait to meet up with more of you soon!

Now, back to trying to write!

I’m almost ready…

…to go home for the summer.

It’s been a tiring last week here. I think it was pretty stressful because a lot of things were happening at the same time.

There was a series of lab presentations spread over 2 days. I think a total of ~40 people presented. Mine was the first presentation on early Thursday morning. It went well. My supervisor was very pleased with my performance.

Had a lab BBQ on Thursday evening. Imagine: Food + French. Had 2 kids constantly running around as well. Just watching them have fun was draining. But it was a fun evening! Well, food is always fun, what am I talking about?

Also had to settle accomodation stuffs. At the beginning of the week I actually had plans to check out today, because I didn’t book this room for August. Turns out, right now I have my current room till mid September. I hope I find another before I get back to Amiens, then it would be good to move to a new place from the beginning of September.

So that’s it! I’m coming home. Leaving Amiens in ~5.5 hours. Leaving France in ~10.5 hours.

And no it’s not a real holiday-holiday for me really. I still have to write my thesis and complete my presentation + poster, if there is addtional time.

But I can’t wait to get home. I miss home. And it’s time to see everyone.

See ya’ll in home ground in just about 1 day! Singapore, here I come, wait-up!

Vamos vamos!!

Was supposed to take this weekend to sit down and start writing the thesis proper.

Damn the World Cup! Because of this I’ve been crazy watching all the matches.

And it got me started watching Wimbledon too!! Thank goodness it’s over for now!

Congrats Rafa! Excellent display from the World #1. Thank you for reminding me how much I have missed watching tennis matches!

I’m also rooting for Germany. They play Spain on Wed; it’s going to be a tough fight! Vamos Alemania!!! Hehehehehe…

It’s also slightly strange to be watching the World Cup when the skies are bright, without my father around. Very strange indeed.

Change.

I can’t wait to go home. At the same time, I know I will miss it here. It has been home for me close to 10 months now. And I know that when I come back here after one month, things will be changing (some) a lot. And though the present is really good, I hope that changes will be for the better. I don’t know exactly if the future will be looking up, but I know that it will be different.

And don’t get me wrong. I miss home. A lot. And I’m ready to head back for the humidity, people and FOOD! I miss you, my family and friends. That’s for sure. The distance is never easy.

2 years passes really fast. Somehow I think I’m ready to end this Masters and start embarking onto the next course of my academic life. It’s exciting yet nerve-wrecking at the same time. So similar, yet so different.

In other news: the climate here is changing; it’s finally summer. Damn hot to work with the glove box. I won’t complain if there was air-conditioning in the lab. I’m really glad that I’m starting to stop experiments to concentrate on writing. I hope to finish before I leave.

Enjoying the sun here while it lasts. I bet the rain clouds and grey skies will be gone in a week!

See you in Singapore soon, peeps!

Three years…

Just decided what to do with the next three years of my life…

Thanks to all for listening to me and for giving me excellent advice. It’s heart-warming to know so many people care about me, my choices and my life.

So everyone, a big cheers to the future! Who knows what might come?

First steps…

Off to Paris for the day. It’s a long weekend, good for making life decisions…