Birthday 2015
This year's birthday is definitely not as memorable and awesome as compared to last years, but it is definitely still memorable as I step into quarter life. Surprises came in the later part of the day. Clashing with Fathers' Day, it makes for a larger combined celebration with my extended family.

Happenings
Been troubled with my mum's behaviour and rules recently and it destroyed a lot of my plans. I had to give up buying myself a kindle at a discounted price. I couldn't drink my Melbourne Breakfast tea that my friend gave me. I almost couldn't go to my grandmother's place today for a slightly bigger celebration. I don't blame her because she is just like that, but I just can't help it but still be angry at her. She did try to make it up for me by buying a surprise birthday cake for me, which I am grateful.
In the end, I managed to get her to my grandmother's place. In the afternoon, I was taught how to cook claypot rice, which turned out to be really tasty. See, this is a picture of my claypot rice.

I celebrated my birthday with a cake in the evening, and even went out to eat crabs, which I have been wanting to for a while already.
Learning Lessons and Thoughts
Everyone is entitled to their own time to be 'busy' with things and you can't demand their attention. Prioritize your attention to those who are willing to give it for you even despite their busy schedule. Don't expect much things to happen and sometimes you'll meet with a pleasant surprise!


Wishes
All the years before, I have always wished for myself to be a high achiever and be successful in whatever I want to achieve. I guess I usually do get these wishes. This year, I shall wish for something different.

Singapore
This is kind of a trip around my own country, only made to happen because my very close friend from Australia came over for transit. It was a challenge to come up with an itinerary for travelling in wee hours, but we made it happen. Didn't follow exactly to plan, but that was also part of the excitement. It turned out to be an amazing and unforgettable night indeed.

18 June 2015, Clear
After meeting her from the airport, we quickly deposited her luggage and took a bus to our first stop, 328 Katong Laksa, the most original place to get laksa. As it was already night time, the soup was less thick and was diluted (to my dismay). The otah was sub-standard. However, we were still happy overall.

Our next stop was to go eat durians at Geylang, but we stopped by another shop at Lorong 9 because I found two dishes that I want to let her try. They are oyster omelette and BBQ stingray. I am really glad we made this extra stop, because the food here is amazingly nice! I really love the chilli on the BBQ stingray (much nicer than it looks)!

Next, we just walked down Geylang road to find a durian seller. We just settled for the shop with the brightest lights... We went for the mid-level priced 猫山王, and bought a large one. The durian was excellent! Succulent meat, sweet and strong flavour, and the seeds are small so we are really getting our money worth. In fact, it was a little too much and we were very full after that.

19 June 2015, Clear

After being very satisfied by Singapore food, we slowly strolled to East Coast Park past midnight and just walked along the park. We found a spot near the water and rested there. The southwestern monsoon winds were just beginning to blow, the waves were crashing, all in all a very relaxing environment. We just sat there, de-stressed for a bit and I started to ask her to teach me some yoga haha. We then noticed the sky was very clear and we could actually see a lot of stars. It was a lovely sight.

We then exited the park and took a cab to Bedok 85 Food Centre. Since we were still very full from the durian, we just settled for lime juice (to ease the queasy feeling from too much durians) and skipped the Bak Chor Mee.

We then cabbed back to the airport. Not long after the fun started, it is time to bid farewell again. However, we both know we definitely will go on trips together again in the future. We make it happen. Through our conversations, I really start to begin to realize how lucky and blessed to have went to ANU for exchange and met her. Someone who really cares and tries to make my life more positive. Positive changes and mutual motivation for each other. What a strong bond we share. This night shall be etched in our minds for a long time. Till next time.

Last night, I could not sleep because I was so excited about my new laptop. Sleepless nights made me think more. However, last night, the thoughts were a little different.

So what if I kept thinking and finally found the answer that I want. Does it really help me? Could I even do something about it even if I think and really found out? Maybe I should not need to find out about the answers because I would not be able to do anything about it. Things will just happen. Let chance decide. You just do what you can.

I am going to make changes to the roles some people play in my life.

Emptiness

Hence, the four years of my university life culminated yesterday with me receiving my very last set of results. I am graduating with first class honours in Environmental Engineering. Just the perfect university results you can wish for. However, it still feels empty, why? Results mean nothing. School grades does not measure how intelligent you are at all. It doesn't mean that you will get far and achieve what you want. It doesn't mean you will be happy when you receive it. It at most grants you a very good starting pay, and then that's it.

Good grades does not mean that you will get into a good graduate school that you desire. Good grades does not guarantee you a scholarship or fellowship programme that pays you to do research work with the organization. It is only a small bit of the criteria. A small prove that you might mean something.

Perhaps the greater takeaway in the four years would be relationships that you build with the people that you have met in your education pursuits. People that made me open up and talk more. They have been there with you and went through hardship together with you. These are more meaningful. In fact, I am willing to trade my first class honours in exchange for being able to know someone who truly cares about me, a true soul mate. Too bad I didn't spend more time finding.

In the end, yes, you did get good grades. Be glad not because of the good grades, but because you did learn something useful.