The last 3 years felt like a dream, so unreal and yet so real..
Never would I have thought of being in TP, and never would I have though of being in this course as well.. But, it all happened. Back then, I was so confident I would get into either of my first two choices, that I sort of anyhow choose the remaining choices, which I think was interesting or doable. When I received the sms informing me of the course I'm being accepted into, I panicked and really felt like crying as it was something totally unexpected. I even had to go online to check out the course as I did not know anything about it. I was still holding the hope that I would be able to get into my first two choices, since the COP was just a point away from me. I wrote a letter to NP, and even went to see the MP for him to help send an appeal to the school as well (Yes, I know it sounds really erm dramatic, but I was desperate you know). However, all efforts was futile. Having tried all ways I could, I guess that is one thing that I did not regret, since I fought for it already (LOL).. So, as most people would, I reluctantly walked towards the 3 years' path of uncertainty...
Before the start of school, I attended the freshmen orientation still with much unwillingness, and met a course-mate who did not want to be in this course either, and we were grumbling to each other and even planned to 'escape' by transferring to other courses.. like a funny memory now that we think of it.. and it seems just like not long ago..
Sem 1.1 The Explorer!
Like: Microecons
Neutral: OB, Comm Skills, IntHT, RHT, APEL 1
Scary: BCS
It was the period of exploring, where one learns how to do research, references, appendices, presentations and also how to interact with fellow classmates, especially when doing group projects. One thing worth mentioning is learning to do presentations, because of my personality.. (Even though it still isn't good now, I think it should be enough to prove to those who think I cannot make it in this course)
Everything is unfamiliar, but this contributes to novelty which actually sparks curiosity and interest, since it is not a boring course (this is true, because it is like bao ga liao). scary, stressful, interesting..
Sem 1.2 The Adapter (not the AC adapter kinds..)
Like: Macroecons, Intro to Sociology
Neutral: POM, F&B, BCPRCC, Comm Skills 2, Marketing for H&T
Scary: Marketing project :x
In the 2nd semester, I felt kinda adapted already, hence it was quite alright? other than the marketing project which left us struggling, BUT, accomplished (very thankful to my v hardworking group who almost camped in school everyday to finish it). Socio was fun too, as in I only had to listen to the tutor talk talk talk about interesting stories and the class having debates, which was like a relief to the Thursday crazy 9am-7pm timetable w/o any break (felt like a energetic kid at that time, so act act still go to the non-relevant BCPRCC lect and crashed Socio's 6pm lect..)
Sem 2.1 The Leisurer
Like: FEM, AM,
Neutral: Accounting for H&T, ILR, ROM, Entrepreneurship, APEL 2
Scary: None :D
Going to Sentosa every school day, tapping the card for free tram rides and feeling like a tourist (maybe only me), seeing tourists of different nationalities, going to the academy with awesome surroundings of leisurely feel (clouds, coconut trees and all, lol), going for lectures in small rooms, going for tutorials in rooms with small nice doors, going to toilets which require password for entrance, doing accounting or projects in areas at the risk of being bitten by mosquitoes, seeing peacocks and squirrels running around, catching glimpses of animal performances while walking to Koufu to eat lunch plus discuss projects, doing FEM project every weekend (to me, it felt like every weekend) as if we did not have enough of it during weekdays, laughing like crazy during project meetings for no reason (yes, apparently, there is no reason or whatsoever :P), meeting for AM project consultation weekly (too frequent till we seem to irritate the tutor), and most importantly, having really awesome FEM + AM group-mates!
To me, the best semester ever. Need I say more? :)
Sem 2.2 The Waitress
Like: TCS, BNu
Neutral: Mgt A&F for H&T, BESE, MICE
Scariest: SSM
With reference to the subheading, it is obvious that the module anyone and everyone would remember is SSM, the common nightmare for all (if not all, most? well, at least me..) Every Monday night, I would need iron the shirt and apron, wake up at 4am++ on Tuesday morning, tie my hair so tight that I thought all my hair would be gone by the end of the semester, endure the weird stares from people on 969 who thought we were some weirdos with erm, ridiculously (please don't penalise me, don't know how to describe it..) gel-up hair/ take a cab at 6am to avoid the surcharge while being able to reach TCC in time.., changing in the toilet, doing last minute touch-ups like putting on the tie, putting (sorry for the bad English) on the very red lipstick, and spamming gels + sprays to prevent the hair from being too naughty (Thank my hair stylist for helping me bun my hair!), ironing the apron if it gets some ceases somehow, then rushing down to assemble before the start of the long-hour module.. Process, i guess its all up to the positions one have done before.. Not much for me to say, because I don't really have much chances for different positions (I only know stewarding is relaxing, and being a cashier makes me sweat)..
But anyway, I am glad to have taken up Tourism, Culture & Society (TCS) as my elective as it is really interesting to understand the cultures of different countries, and the deep impact made on cultures due to tourism.. The lectures and tutorials always felt like some knowledge seminars (not dry, but really interesting to know), and I am really proud of my project blog as I get to learn more about Taiwan through research that it doesn't even feel like an assignment..and also, the Exhibitions on Tour which I am grateful for being able to invite the Thai embassy lady for the performance, with the paper Loi Krathong that we made.. (A big thank you to my group mates!)
Sem 3.1 The Intern
Internship at Children's Cancer Foundation for Hair for Hope 2011
With good and bad encounters, much experience is gained. It is a truly real-life learning journey different from theories on books.
Sem 3.2 The Last
Like: Spa
Neutral: DPD, FM, Club, Cruise, APEL 3
Scary: Calculus
Bringing the 3 years to an end, the last semester was hectic, the only pro was that everyone has already gotten used to the mechanism of projects.. The projects were challenging, but thank goodness that all ended up alright..
The modules were relatively hard to study as well, especially when they are not so straight forward :x However, Calculus was especially tough, as it is hard to overcome that physiological barrier of having gotten a F9 for Amaths during O Levels.. When I get stuck with those questions, memories of studying Amaths float up; its the same kind of helpless feeling that makes you wanna give up.. Thanks to my wonderful friends, I still studied and practised even though it is really killing me, and well, got a decent grade even though it is not a A (which could have let me 雪耻 :/)
Sem 3.3 The Ending?
The last 3 years felt like a dream, so unreal and yet so real..
If you ask me if I regret choosing Leisure & Resort Management, I would say, I have no choice at that time, but, since I am already here, I think this is the best I could have gotten out of this course..
Even though I did not get to study Chinese modules, I have gained much exposure to business modules, which are actually quite interesting, plus that our course have a wide range of exotic modules. Most importantly, it has changed my character and personality throughout the years, even though still introverted, but less (due to presentations and projects), even though still as crappy/nonsensical/weird at times, but less (or is it that most people accepted the fact liao).. Tell me how I have changed, so I can add in uh :P
Most most importantly, I am grateful to all polytechnic friends and lecturers, whether you love or hate me, whether you will or not remember me, I just want to let you ladies and gentlemen and kids (if you wanna be younger, you can acknowledge this) know, I will always remember you all, in someway or another, as I wouldn't be who I am today, without you, without the goods and bads.
Thank You to those who love me, and Sorry to those I may have offended unknowingly.
Has it ended? Nope, it hasn't ended, but rather, it is now a new beginning for everyone after graduation..Towards the future, life continues... Till we meet, stay healthy and happy! After we meet, same applies :P
For memories sake (as I have a bad memory) and to show appreciation, Credits of my Polytechnic life to: Sem 1.1 Project GroupOB, Comm Skills, IntHT, RHT: Eugenia, Liew Siew, Lynn (Ling Na), WeiLin, WeizhenMicroecons: Liew Siew, Lynn (Ling Na)BCS: Liew Siew, Lynn (Ling Na), Lillian Sem 1.2 Project GroupMacroecons, Comm Skills 2, Marketing for H&T, F&B: Liew Siew, Lillian, Weizhen POM: Liew Siew, Weizhen, Shawn Chia, NajibIntro to Sociology: Jaslyn Chua, Shereen, Xin Yi, HughBCPRCC: Chuan Hui, Germaine, Li Yuan, Wang Qiong, Chek Yihxian Sem 2.1 Project GroupFEM, AM: Kim, Liew Siew, Sylvia Tay, Zu XianILR, ROM: Darren, Jac, Jane, Liew Siew, Yazid Sem 2.2 Project GroupTCS: Angela, Chee Sian, Chu Shiuan, KaiJieMICE: Angela, Chee Sian, Chu Shiuan, FranzBESE: Angela, Chee Sian, Chu Shiuan, Yogi, AisahBNu: Jeremy Wee Sem 3.1 Fellow InternsJus, Kay Hwa, Weixuan Sem 3.2 Project GroupClub, Cruise, DPD, FM, Spa: Kirby, Nabee, Sylvia Tay, Weizhen, Zu Xian OthersMyBelovedFamily and Friends :)
If you can bear this super long and naggy and crappy post, congrats, you are a good person with patience ;]
