So it's been 2 months and 2 days since I ORDed from service. The past 2 months, to be honest, really feels great when things are accomplished through great planning. I gave myself one week to really take a break and think of what I wanted to do before school starts in August. I decided not to work since this period will genuinely be one of the last time I am going to relax before all the school and work that comes in the future. Live the best of the moment and leave no regrets behind.

Given the long period when I actually 'hit the books', I must say I have kinda of almost clearly archived every school knowledge into deep within of my little brain. As I started to revise back these topics like Chemistry, Math and Physics, it felt like entering a chamber once abandoned and rediscovering all that I have learnt. I would not say that I am agile in my thinking and analysis as per the Oliver in 2010, but I am getting it back.

Plus, it is not just about revising all this concepts. Given the 5 months I have before school starts and it's a HOLIDAY, I told myself I would pace it out and not go into a mad rush of hitting the books. It has been a smooth sail through this revisiting these past region of knowledge. On top that, I have decided to make good use of this time to sum up little specific things which I have learnt in Chemistry through those exercises which were donned with green corrections, red crosses and some red 'CARELESS!' marks which I wrote in the past. The practical part of me decided to just sum it up for Chemistry and Math, since these will be what I'm mostly going to study during University. (Sorry for physics!)

I've put much thought into research about University, what modules that are interesting or tough and what exactly I am going to pursue during University. I made a big decision to withdraw from Tembusu College in NUS which I applied to study in 2011. Well, at the start, I did not want to let go because I thought of the accommodation, amenities and the fun I would get from studying in Tembusu College. Then again, I reconsidered my choice. As I read about the syllabus, I realise it was not exactly what I liked. I am a picky student I must confess, where I would study stuff which are of interest to me. So some modules in Tembusu College was not of my interest and I cannot guarantee that those modules which I liked would be available during my academic years. On the other hand, the university level requirements taken by the majority of students in NUS were more liberal I feel given the big pool of modules available for bidding. Well, it's definite that not all modules are offered in each semester, but at least for university requirements there's a longer 'waiting period' to wait for those desired modules to be up for bidding compared to the short 2 year stay in Tembusu College. Much considerations, consultations with friends and seniors and reflection of what I truly wanted. This time, I decided based on my feel. Every time I thought about Tembusu College, it felt good to think about it and imagine how school would be like there. Then again, when I thought about the curriculum, it felt like a heavy load just plunge me down, pulling me back from advancing. I am not sure whether self-confidence played a part, but eventually I decided to give it up since I know I am not someone who can really write well and put my points across in the linguistic manner as per university standards.Overall, it really felt good when I knew that I withdrew from Tembusu College, since I know that I can be like a 'ordinary' student again to meet university level requirements and able to join Halls of Residence like a freshman. Sometimes, just going with the flow and taking the conventional path is not necessarily bad or disadvantaged in any way. Just being ordinary and contented with what I have is more compared to pursuing and find myself drowning in stress due to desires I know I can't keep up with.

Now, I just aim for my university studies to be smooth sailing. Not really about the vibrancy or myriad of activities that I engage myself in, but rather the learning experience and lessons I gain from university. With my interest to specialise in Chemistry, I will master the crux of what's within and hopefully pass this set of knowledge to the future generations. Honestly, I can know what will be going on for the next 5-10 years of my life, but the exact details of it, I have yet to explore it myself. It will be interesting I believe, and I wonder what really comes as I move on.

Studies aside, my 2 months as a civilian has been fruitful. Met up with my section mates from MP Spec Course at USS and just last week had I went cycling with Saiful and Joshua. I'm really thankful to have a bunch of great wonderful company. I mean like, friends who know you is different from friends who have lived with you. It's totally different somehow in the way of communication we had. Perhaps there's more time for interaction and through the living together, we tend to be able to know one anothe's character better compared to classmates or just friends you meet. We're going again tomorrow and I am totally excited! You know that feeling when you can't sleep because of anxiety. (Before I started this post, I had slept for like 2-3 hours, hopefully I can sleep tonight!)

Other than course mates, I've also met up with friends from MPTS, those who are still in service waiting for their ORD to come. It was like a buffet one time to celebrate Jasper, my admin clerk's birthday and another at playnation to just having fun with video games.

Last but not least was also to see my very last batch of Spec course trainees graduate during their final graduation parade in SCS. My 3rd batch of trainees to have graduated from the same parade I passed out in and I'm really proud of it. Though the amount of time I had with them was quite short, I would say I have enjoyed my last course towards the end of my NS.

I picked up kayaking in April, having signed up for a 1 star kayaking course with SAFRA. Much of an introductory course, it was eye-opening to learn the various techniques involved with a paddle and a kayak, on top just paddling forward and backward. Sunburn was a pain despite I liked to be tanned. Perhaps in June, I might consider signing up for the 2 star kayaking course. Then again, I found a place to learn skating and I'm consider to pick it up in June too. There might be a clash so I guess I may have to make up my mind soon before June comes. This is seriously the best time of my life to really try out different things which I didn't had for. Thus I am not working part-time like what most people do. Hopefully I'll be able to accomplish my 'checklist' before school starts!

As I talk about all this, I really hope school don't start yet. Because of the enjoyment I get from all these holidays, I'm not looking forward to school yet. After suffering from a 'lost-from-work' syndrome at the start of March, I think I have fully recovered and I basking in the sun of holidays!