At the beginning of the year, I was working at Sheng Siong as a cashier with my friend Judy. It was tough, really tough. I know people think being a cashier is only about counting money, but boy are they wrong. I got scolded by the older cashiers for being too slow and holding up the queue despite the fact that I was new, I had to promote the products on offer while zapping the barcodes of the customer's purchases, and if I accidentally zapped the same product twice, I needed the supervisor's card to undo it. Sometimes I had to stand there and wait for the supervisor to come and the customer would give me dirty looks. Once, my fellow young colleague, Darren, even got into a tiff with a customer when the customer accused him of giving off the "ah-lian" or gangster vibe when Darren was actually a very nice guy. Worse still, I was a cashier during the Christmas, New Year AND Chinese New Year period and as you all know, Singaporeans were buying off the whole shop. One counter made up to $30000 in sale in ONE day and we have 3 counters. So you can imagine the amount of work we cashiers had to do. Moreover, it was a standing job. Standing up for 10h a day is no joke. At then end of the day, we had to go up to the office and count the money and make sure everything tallied. I once lost $30 due to my carelessness and my supervisor paid it for me. I was touched and very scared too. I realised this job is not for me. However, I learnt a lot from this job and the pay was totally worth it too. My respect for cashiers in such big supermarkets has increased because now I know that it's not such an easy job after all. Also, I wouldn't have lasted a day without Judy. Thank goodness she was there to support me when I just wanted to quit the job!
After I quit the job, the O Level examinations results were released and I remember crying my eyes out in the hall when I received my certificate because it was below my usual standards. I had never been so disappointed in myself. But I dried my tears and promised myself that I won't let history repeat itself.
Then it was time to choose my next destination: either a junior college or a polytechnic. My first choice was actually Ngee Ann Poly's Mass Communications but unfortunately I didn't get in because I was one point away from the requirement. So I ended up in Jurong Junior College. Although I didn't go to my dream school, I no longer regret coming here. I think the pressure here is manageable, as compared to the pressure I am sure my friends from ACJC and TJC feel since they are better schools. I also think my class got really good teachers.
I joined the guitar club, and although I quit in June, I had already learned a lot! I am glad I got the chance to learn the guitar. :) I quit because I was having trouble managing my time and decided to prioritize my studies over extra-curricular activities.
I also joined Drama this year. Although I was not part of the cast, but rather I was the lighting crew, I learnt a lot from this experience about the importance of hard work, determination, and team work. JJC had never got a silver or gold for drama SYF but this year we got Gold with honours and that's something to be really proud of!
I also joined this Emceeing course with a few of my friends and it was a really cool experience. I got closer to many of the other emcee wannabes. And our coach, Mr Rishi Budharani is awesome!!
Thanks to this course, I will be emceeing for the upcoming Open House. I really appreciate this opportunity. :) Also, I came out of my shell more during this course.
Other fun things I did include going for Pink Dot 2012 with some of the drama peeps and Chin. Glad I brought Chin there, think he need to feel that gays aren't as discriminated in Singapore as he initially thought they were.
One thing I am not proud of is screwing up my common tests. I did really badly and my mom had to attend the Parent Teacher's meeting. Sigh. I did so badly that if I didn't pull up my grades by the End-Of-Year exams, I would have to retain. But I pulled up my socks and pulled my grades up in time! Still no As though :/
Also, I watched a lot of plays this year. Twelfth Night, Othello, Gods of Carnage, and 4sterhome. I absolutely love to watch plays! I don't think I'll be watching any in 2013 'casue I am supposed to be studying 24/7 but after the A Levels I definitely will!
Before Justin left for the UK, I went ice-skating with him and other friends. I am glad he invited me because I had never ice-skated in my before and it's always good to try new things! :) Albeit, I fell down and injured myself. -.- My leg was swollen for weeks (because I refused to see the doctor). No regrets though!
When the holidays started, the literature students and I had a literature retreat. I picked up lots of skills regarding acting and thoroughly enjoyed getting closer to the other lit students. A few days after that I went to watch PSY's first concert in Singapore with Chin! Oppa Gangnam Style! :D Had fun!
I also went on "Jalan Raya" at my class girls' houses and that was really fun! ^^ Ate a lot of festive delicacies >< That pretty much sums up my year. Overall it was pretty fun and eventful and I met great people like An in Drama! :)
But if there is something I learnt this year, it's the fact that not everybody is going to like you. Someone will have a problem with the way you are. If a lot of people share the same opinion about you, yes, maybe you should change. But if it's just this one person, who shouldn't change yourself for him or her. Once in a while, you gotta stand up for yourself. This is the way I home, you either accept it, or eff off from my life. Simple as that :)
Also, there is this ex school mate of mine that I haven't talked to in ages, Rabi. He recently talked to me on FB and showed me this video. Oh my gosh, it is so inspirational. You guys should really see it. Here it is:
I should probably watch this video every morning. To all my poly and JC friends, all the best with your studies in 2013. I am sure you will do well!
Ps. I am also glad that Yong Lay and I seemed to have gotten over our misunderstandings in sec 3/4 because he's the only one who watches the same shows I do and knows so much celebrity gossip. I'm glad I can talk to him abt that now. ^^ He's a nice guy :)
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