The Almost Professional Photo Shoot Session.

Here are some pictures I love.

Then, we have…

The Ultimate Nobody Dance.

Thank you Jason for the awesome photos!

Post (fuddy duddy) Commencement Ceremony: An emotional post.

My dysfunctional family.

My sweet sister.

Thank you Mummy and Daddy for your love and my education! Thank you Sister for your understanding and love (and the flowers too!). Thank you Brother for being your aloof but helpful self! Thank you Granny for being caring and loving! I love my dysfunctional family!

Thank you my friends (Catherine, Valerie, Yiqian, Tabitha, Colin, Tai Tong, Kyle and Erwin) for sticking together through good times and bad, for bearing with my aggressive and irritating “self” during project discussions and for all the fun times we had!

Thank you Jason for your love patient, grace and understanding! Thank you for the flowers, and Mr Linus (NUS Lion, -_-)! Thank you for all the wonderful pictures (more in the next post) too!

I love you all!

The Conventional Commencement Ceremony.

We’ve got the valedictorian speech. We’ve got the name calling and systematic queuing for our scrolls. And we’ve got the award winners!

Our valedictorian.

That’s me!

Many people are curious what are those awards that I’ve won, here are the formal descriptions.

• Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal: Best graduate throughout the course of study
• Leslie Wong Memorial Medal: Best student awarded First Class Honours
• Monetary Authority of Singapore Book Prize: Best student in BBA Hons exam
• DaimlerChrysler Prize: Best two Honours graduates
• Annie Tan Medal & Prize: Most Outstanding Female undergraduate.

The last medal is the one that I’m most proud of and thankful for! It’s an award given to recognize female students who not just do well academically but who are also bilingual and had contributed to the community.

I am bilingual and am proud of my heritage! HAHA! At least now, I have another skill/talent other than studying. -_-

I’m toying with the idea of bringing these gold medals to pawn shop for gold valuation. HAHA.

There are tons of photos (from my commencement ceremony and dinner) that I’ll like to share with you guys but do give me some time to sort them out.

Stay tuned!

A pleasant and surprising gift from God. Thank you Lord! I am quite bilingual after all!

The Dark World.

Note: This is so not related to The Verdict of the much talked about selection process.

[Credit: http://astraldeva4.deviantart.com/art/Israidius-the-Dark-World-16788317 ]

Valedictorian 2009

HAHA. It must be a joke. After proving myself for the past (XX) years in the academic realm, I have to prove myself again? HAHA. Against the wishes of my family and friends (sorry Erwin, I can’t do the butt flash and front/back roll thingy), I’ve decided not to put myself through the selection process. I want to enjoy my commencement together with my friends instead of stressing over what to say and how to say it right. 

Hi

Congratulations! You have proven yourself to be the very best.

I am pleased to inform that you have been shortlisted as potential Valedictorian of your graduating class 2009 to be presented at the XXX Commencement Ceremony. We would like to invite you for an interview to select the Valedictorian 2009.

Date: June 2 Tuesday PM
Venue: Dean’s Meeting Room

As part of the selection process, you are required to submit:

(1) your CV
(2) an outline of your significant achievements and contributions to the School, as well as
(3) a draft of your possible Valedictorian speech.

Kindly submit to XXX (copied on this email) by June 1 Monday. XXX will then advise you on the specific time of your interview on June 2 Tuesday PM.

You should be proud of yourself (give yourself a good pat) for having come this far. Please feel free to give me a call XXX should you have any queries.

Cheers!

Regards
XXX

I am no longer expected First Class. Weeeeee. Thank God for all the Blessings, Grace and Patience upon me!

Tomorrow will mark the end of my academic life. 

At least for the time being. 

I smell Freedom

[ Credits: http://tavo85.deviantart.com/art/Freedom-26470065 ]

End of thesis. Beginning of life.

30 years later, when your kids are working on their thesis in NUS Business School, maybe they will see this in one of those dusty books in the Thesis Library. 

 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

First and foremost, I would like to offer my sincerest gratitude to my supervisor, Dr xxx, who supported me throughout my thesis with her invaluable advice, patience and knowledge whilst allowing me the room for development in this tough journey. This thesis would not be made possible without her constant guidance and advice.

I would also like to thank both Professor xxx and Dr xxx for their precious guidance and suggestions throughout this study. I would also like to extend my appreciation to Ms. xxx, Ms. xxx, and Ms. xxx who arranged and prepared for the subject pools.

I would also like to express my deep appreciation to my parents for their unwavering love and support. I also wish to thank my sister, Yirene Tan for her constant encouragement, understanding and prayers. I must also thank my boyfriend, Jason Ng for his continuous thoughtfulness, patience and sacrifices made during this study. I would also like to show my appreciation to all my friends in NUS Business School for their assistance and encouragement and brothers and sisters in S-Word Evangelical Free Church for their prayers.

Last but not least, I would like to thank God for His constant guidance, grace and mercy throughout my life. His guidance and presence made those difficult times more bearable. Thank You Lord, for in You all things are possible!

Sincerely,

Tan Si Lin Serene

 

“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know”  Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV)

I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

6 April 2009, Monday

Thesis submission date.

I asked my Prof for advice. And she said.

“YOU NEED TO EXPLAIN. I DON’T KNOW WHAT BUT YOU GOT TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING.”

Our mama told us we can secure a good job after obtaining our degree…

- Not true in our current context. Graduates were not spared either. 

Some old news we kind of already know after meeting friends who graduated last semester at career fairs. They too had the same motive – to secure a job. Now, all they want is a job. Not a career. Depressing.

Grads among worst hit as jobless rate increases By Aaron Low

GRADUATES are hurting the most among the growing pool of jobless Singapore residents battered by the economic crisis. The number of out-of-work degree holders more than doubled last year to 14,800 [THIS NUMBER HAS NOT TAKE US INTO ACCOUNT] in December, from 6,200 a year earlier.

They joined an expanding group of unemployed residents – comprising Singaporeans and permanent residents – whose numbers rose from 56,100 in September to 69,900 in December last year.

- The Straits Times, Mar 17, 2009

Useful information to make an educated decision.

Not going to comment on this information. But I thought it will be useful for students enrolling into the various  business school (among the 3 public universities) in Singapore come June 2009, to make an educated decision. But of course, ranking and reputation are only some factors among others that you will need to consider. 

But I am a marketer, what can I say, I am a brand whore, that’s because a brand signifies an expected quality that the organization will/can deliver.