Time really flies. It's about half a year since I got an entry in this almost-forgotten blog. Now that I have a little bit of spare time at hand, perhaps it's timely for some updates. Yes, many things have changed in this short period of time. It's really amazing how plans that you meticulously come up with over months can just be thrown away just like that. But that's the beauty of life right? The surprises (and scares) that just throw you off your seats. But oh the excitement as well.

Anyway, one the academic side of life, things look pretty interesting at the moment. Decided to do something radical - I've completed my Master thesis before even completing my coursework! Sounds really risky, but somehow there was this little voice in me that just told me to give it a try. And it really paid off. Got my best Department Master thesis award for my work. Got a good grade in addition to that as well. So, that was cool. But definitely not as meaningful as something my supervisor said before my presentation as an introduction to my work. He told the audience that he was actually very skeptical of me doing my thesis in my first semester, and that he expected me to fail. That wasn't exactly what I would call a comforting introduction for a then nervous-wrecked me. But then he added "but I couldn't be more wrong. He's work was just... impressive. It's way above what I would expect from any Master student." To be honest, I was really touched by what he said. And it really just made the months of suffering all worth it. And somehow, my gamble paid off. Actually I wouldn't call it a gamble. I just followed my instincts and it turned out great.

And because of that, I actually re-organized my schedule - I will complete my Master a semester earlier than expected (So it's one year now). So that's good. I'm not sure, but I find myself aways going against the grain. I feel somewhat unsatisfied to stick with the norms imposed onto you by society. It's becoming a good/bad habit, depending how you look at it. But so far it has proven to be pretty... interesting to say the least.

So yes, one whole semester have passed. Somehow this semester has been really interesting. Stressful? Yes and no. Yes because the workload that I packed in is just overwhelming. But no, because I learnt the art of taking appropriate breaks to relief yourself once in a while. Had a really awesome Easter break travelling around Switzerland. And also through occasional (extended) weekend trips. Or just some short hikes and runs along the picturesque rivers around Zurich. It just helps to keep your sanity in tact, and add a bit of much needed colour to your life.

But on the social side, I haven't been as "sociable" as I would like to be. I've gotta admit - I'm quite an introvert. Not to the extent that I just live in my own tiny world, but more like I need quite a bit of time to myself. I actually feel pretty exhausted after social events, and I require my fair share of alone time to recharge myself. But from another perspective, I've come to a stage where I don't want to make tons of additional friends. I'm very satisfied with a few close friends than many acquaintances. Over the years, I realized that friendships need time to maintain and develop, and I just don't have all the time in the world to entertain everyone. I would rather keep that time for a few more special people. So that's what I'm doing. I avoid going for loud parties and stuff with the whole building of exchange students that I'm living with. On one hand I hate partying, and on the other, these are probably people that I will not see ever after half a year. So instead, I tend to mix around more with my classmates, and the Singaporeans here in Zurich. Feels more meaningful that way.

Anyway, took a week off my thesis in July to return to Singapore for my commencement at NUS. I think it meant so much more to my parents than it actually meant to me. It's like mission accomplished finally - putting me and my bro through formal schooling and then to university. They have served their responsibilities as parents. As I put on my gown and went on stage to get my degree, I could see, for once, a very light-hearted smile - a burden-free one. And I'm equally happy for them. I just told my parents to, for the first time, live their lives for themselves, and not just for me and my bro. Go ahead and explore the world - see and experience what they have missed out during the younger days. Seeing them frequently travelling all around the world makes me smile as much. Just looking back at how much my parents have sacrificed for the family, I just feel loved and blessed.

So I took the opportunity to meet up with as many of my friends as I could in that short week. I really appreciate how friends took time off their busy schedules to at least have a meal together and just catch up. Being away from home ever so often in recent years just made me realize how valuable such friends are. And also, who real friends are. True friends are really people that you perhaps only get to meet once or twice a year, but always makes the extra effort to turn up, and we've got endless things to talk about. People who love you for who you are, no matter where you are and what you are. It may seem quite a pity to lose contact with certain groups friends, especially those that used to be so close to you. But I guess that's life. When there simply isn't enough time for everyone, people tend to prioritize. And you don't always get on the list of others. It's harsh, but that's just life. Live with it. But just knowing that you have even that one friend that you can always count on is more than enough sometimes - feeling satisfied with one is way better than feeling lonely in a crowd. I like the former better.

Ok, so that's about it for now. No idea when I will have the time (and mood) to update this blog again. But it's really quite nice to just sit down and consolidate my thoughts and feelings once in a while. Re-energizing. So as always, looking forward to the new surprises that life my have installed for me! :)

(P.S. Oh and I got myself a part-time internship post next semester too! Really cool! The wonders of life and the surprises! :) )

What's Next?

Alright finally settled most of the administrative matters at hand for now, so finally time's on my side for once. Anyway, I have moved to Zurich to start the next phase of my life. 2012 has been a really fast year for me. Before I went for exchange at Delft, I applied for graduate school at ETH Zurich, and lucky for me, I got accepted with a small stipend. So that's really awesome. So after exchange, I just returned to NUS, wrote my thesis and completed the remaining credits required to graduate. I think the time I spent at NUS was perhaps the definitive time of my life - in the sense that I learnt so much and grew up as a person. I learnt to handle the shit the life throws at you and turn it into something meaningful. It's definitely no simple process - in fact, it was a harsh one. The one thing that I think everyone needs is that little bit optimism and hope. Many a time, we are left to drown in the abyss of the unknown. But most often we manage to get out alive and unscathed - but definitely much stronger. So that's the biggest takeaway from NUS.

And the moment I step foot into Zurich, I can just sense the difference. Zurich's very much your typical European city - filled with beautiful classical European architecture and culture. But the difference lies in language. Coming to Zurich alone with my very limited knowledge of German's a really bold thing to do. Although it's not my first time in a non-English speaking environment, it's the first time being in one alone. There's even greater levels of uncertainty and fear. I have to handle every little thing in my life on my own. And more importantly, getting out of an environment where I'm constantly surrounded by the comfort of friends and family, it's as if life starts from zero again. The troubles of getting to know new people and getting comfortable in a new environment. Perhaps in the first place, I'm not used to constantly meeting new people in Singapore - like no one ever says hi to a new student in class. I really have to do that here and establish my "life" here. Alright, Only being in Zurich for 3 weeks, I haven't been able to experience much of what Zurich has to offer. But I'm pretty sure that this 1.5 years in Zurich will be another valuable chapter in my life. Perhaps a period where I look back in the future, and smile and say that that's something definitive in my life.

Looking forward to what life's got installed for me. :)