We live in the moment.

2013 is about to come to an end. In summary, this year has really passed quite fast and in a blink of an eye, here we are it's 2014. Well probably some may think hey it's still pretty early as it's just October. But like a Chinese saying goes an inch of time is as precious as gold, so yep let's live in the moment and make the best of every second, every minute we have before it's too late for regrets.

So basically we got back our promotional exam results today. Though not confirmed but surely I guess everyone improved and so did I, thankfully I must say. It truly wasn't an easy feat to improve, even it's just by a few mere percentile. Honestly, I could have been not able to pull through and upon taking this risk, I could have needed to repeat another year in a secondary school. Though results are still processing, I just pray I could make it for next year. Yes no doubt integrated programme is really challenging and having to adapt to the environment was something I actually took granted for. As such, I thought it would be possible and without much efforts to embrace the culture and people and whatsoever, but I was wrong. Maybe after much reflection and constant analysis of my life (yes I'm always doing it subconsciously), I do realize that it was partly due to some complacency that I've brought with me last year here and the lost of the momentum I used to have studying. Well also last year it wasn't that tough to deal and maybe due to this I lose my competency. It's such a pity, how one manages to come to her senses after experiencing failure. Does failure really make one strive greater heights? Does failure really pushes and strengthens one's mindset? I have to agree that failure makes me more hungry- hunger to strive for better results which I know I can. I guess this major examination really did struck me hard; so hard that I am determined now to buck up and grasp all the time I have to maximize my area of improvement. Yes it will and going to be difficult, but hey, mind over body. Nothing is impossible and with the right and positive mindset. Unless you're tuned to the right channel, you'll never be able to dig the hole out to see a glimpse of light. I guess this applies to many other stuffs as well, not only studies.

I've learnt and observed many things this year. And I must say it was really an eye-opener. Finally, my puny brain is starting to mature and growing as experiences are collecting in. This world is just so fascinating; filled with so many many countless varieties of people that I can't even categorize everyone together. This is just how diverse our race is. I've learnt to let go and take in the advice and everything that is deemed useful and beneficial for myself, but not forgetting the people around us who continuously support and motivate us to now give up and always utilize the room for improvement. It's never enough, we can never be the best- the best of everything and anything. Each and every one of us is special and that is what makes us unique. Our differing strengths make us so distinct that we eventually could succeed as our expertise.

Acceptance. I guess accepting people isn't something everyone could do. With clashing personalities, opinions, bigotry; I must say it's hard to accept people completely for who they are. This year, I must admit my level of tolerance wasn't that good towards some people. However, as time goes, I come to see the good in them (ok not that they're entirely bad from the start) and start to train my level of tolerance. Indeed, after almost a year, I guess I'm pretty much thankful for those people I have met here in this new and weird and whatsoever environment I can describe. I can't deny the fact that I really hate the environment and how some people are, but as time goes it's naturally became us; what we are in and how we behave towards it. I didn't like how it has became, I thought it was better though I really miss my previous school environment. It's alright, I tell myself. It's parts and parcels of life and I shall thus just treat these processes as the stepping stones in life. I blame myself for scoring such shitty and horrible results initially, but to think again since I thought I've put in my best, maybe that supposed best wasn't my best afterall and this shows I have an extra mile to take before succeeding. Well it's sort of a good gauge here, to see where I stand, not from the perspective of a normal express stream school but a rather more intensive curriculum. Life is continuously changing, and if we don't live to adapt, it's really hard to survive. I guess the good thing about here is that it trains your stress level. Pretty much I'm able to overcome stress easier and have a stronger mind after going through much adversities. But it's never enough, life is always throwing lemons at you, making your days sour.


Studies isn't everything. Some may think this is just to justify your stupidity in the education sphere but hey, it's legit. What's the point of having exemplary qualifications when you don't even have skills to carry out something that will be useful when you're out in the society trying to feed yourself. Face value, yes it does make you look good and create an impression that allows you to be different from others. But pragmatically, does it really have a beneficial effect if your EQ is really just down there. Ok maybe not just EQ but talent as well. I guess, holistically, one should be all-rounded and be exposed to stuffs you could not experience from books. It's really different, apart from paper and pen, there's so much more you could actually challenge yourself in the society. I can't possibly say we should all screw up our studies and just go out the streets and get a job- working from a tender age and then thinking you could climb up the ladder as you get more experience from working. Well we have to a strong base before we build our ideal top. It's the most fundamental and of course the most necessary or else we would just be dreaming empty dreams. My point is, as much as our parents enforces us the importance of getting a degree or whatsoever, we shouldn't be destined to just books but live up to an aspiration. Find an output that could help you distress and eventually developing talent from it, well probably that will help as well. Nothing comes easy and I believe with hard work and dedication one will eventually succeed. I just wanna thank everyone who's stood by my side through my darkest times here in TJ IP and always encouraging each other. Thank you for not giving up on me and see that I am still hopeful. To be honest, without having faced all these adversities here, I doubt I would have became stronger and able to pull myself up and able to let go. Yes life goes on and we shan't be sore losers who give up easily. Let's all strive for a better and happier year ahead. Thank God for letting me go through this tedious year as well. I'm really blessed.

Humility.

Made by Paula. 1 2