Graduation Day!

Minggu, 30 Mei 2010

It was year 2004 when I graduated from my 2-year course and I told myself then I'm okay with that. Come December 2004, I got hired for my first job and saw how many competitions I have. I still told myself: "I already have a job and that's enough".

Fast forward June 2007, I met the boss (<3) and saw how he painstakingly answered his assignments while taking calls. I helped him sometimes with his research works and it also became an avenue for us to get closer. I really admired him for keeping everything balanced.

I got inspired.

I enrolled in Informatics International College - Eastwood on the last quarter of 2007. It was a very tough choice since it meant that I would have to send myself to school again and this time, I'm not working in fastfood restaurants anymore, I have a full time job that translates going to school after a 9-hour graveyard, midshift or early morning shift. I put my gameface on and went to school 6 times a week and work for 5 times a week. Sometimes, my schedule will overlap but my office mates were supportive enough to cover for me.

Everyday is a struggle. I sometimes go to school with little or no sleep at all. I missed my friends, family because going out is not an option. The boss and I squeezed some out of town trips in our schedules to de-stress but it was not enough. I thank the government for holidays because I can sleep more. I was always longing for early dismissals and sick professors. I hated quizzes and exams but I was always at school. I tried my best not to miss every period because I pay with my own money. I honestly appreciated how parents work hard to send their children to school and I tell you with a heavy heart : it is not easy.

I met new friends whom I treated as younger siblings. Age gaps range from 4-6 years. (Imagine?) Some were kind, some were not. (Or maybe they don't dig and oldie like me). As much as I wanted to hang out with them at the end of the day, I can't because I need to hurry home to enjoy my 3-hour free time before going to work But we always have lunch together or food trip in between classes. Thesis days were horrible. Others didn't cooperate at first but everyone was able to pass.

The overall experience was fun yet exhausting.

This month, I graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. It was surreal. Mamu walked up the stage with me. My siblings were there. Celebrated with Reuel and Jepay who haven't seen Mamu in a while (mom is one of their principal sponsors when they got married). I know you are tired reading so I'll just let the pictures do the talking. :)