My MPA journey has come full circle

Two years ago, two very important things happen in my life. The first one is something that will, I hope and always pray, continue forever and ever.

The second one has just ended last 11 July, when I went up on stage and received my plaque for completing masters in public administration programme from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy or LKYSPP at the National University of Singapore (NUS). It was two years of part time studying and working fulltime for me. Two years of going to school twice a week in the evening and meeting classmates over the weekend for group assignments. It was two years spent in two campus locations. First year was spent at Heng Mui Keng Terrace inside Kent Ridge and then halfway through the school transferred to the old NUS campus at Bukit Timah.

So what am I going to miss now that my MPA life is over?

One, I will miss walking together with Rakhi who has been my 'going home' partner. She lives in the East and I live in the City so we usually walk together to hail a cab from the road.

Two, I will miss the foodcourt. I will miss Auntie and Uncle from the Japanese food stall. I will miss our friend who sells 'meatballs noodle soup' and 'beef kway teow.' I will miss those who sell cut fruits and my favorite 'teh c siutay.' Especially because the price of food in the foodcourt is way way cheaper than Suntec foodcourt.

Three, I will miss bumping into Edna who is always at the Law library trying to appear as if she is seriously studying. I will miss her stories of the latest gossips about socialites and those trying hard to be socialites from the elite society back home.

Fourth, I will miss the vending machine outside the library. I remember the countless number of times I had to buy my sandwhich from that machine, which will be my dinner because I came to school a bit late and no time to dash to the food court. I remember we used to have a conspiracy theory about that sandwhich machine. As all the sandwhich there comes out very hot, we have theorized that there must be someone inside who cooks them and prepares them while we wait for a minute or two. LOL! And we evern theorized that it must be either a Flip or southern national who is inside as it is a job that the locals may not want to do. LOL! Those were the days when we have nothing better to do than theorize about anything and everything under the sun, especially if we happen to have a teacher who is not that stimulating in class.

Fifth, I will miss MM3-5, as most of our classes were spent inside this big classroom. Am sure this room holds so many unknown and unheard of stories of laughter, tears, debates and arguments. It is the school's repository of stories both real and a few surreal.

Sixth, I will miss a few faculty members who unfortunately or fortunately, became my teacher for a semester. A few managed to really stimulate me into thinking about social issues other than ageing, a few managed to make me loss some sleep as I had to struggle with meeting the deadline for submission of memos. A few also managed to force me to re-learn and remember my long forgotten Economics theories. One or two of them inspired me to push my limits and to give my best in class. One said I have an MBTI of a general. LOL! Does that make me a control freak? I hope not baby.

Seventh, I will miss the capuccino and the spaghettie bolognaise at the Thinking Corner and the nice lady there. A few times I will have a craving for food other than sandwhich and it seems to be more filling. These are also the times when I am in dash to go to class and cannot go to the food court.

Eigth, I will miss my batchmates, especially those who are part timers like me. We have managed to form friendship that I am sure will last a long time. I hope to see all of them in a job that they really like and am sure wherever they decide to go, they will continue to make a difference in other people's lives. They certainly made a difference in my life. I hope our informal leader, Yip, will continue to arrange reunions and get togethers. We seem to be having one soon as one of our gals is tying the knot in October.

Ninth, I will miss Agnes (senior only now as the Junior one left the school a while back), Wendy and Ruth and the guy who wears glasses who gave me a box so I can put up my feet while I take exams during the most painful time of my life when my slip disc was acting so badly.

Tenth, I will miss the early morning time spent studying, cramming for exams while my big baby, looks at me and mimics me when I review aloud. LOL! He has been with me all the way the past two years, waking me up when I need to study, calling me once in a while when am in school, sms'ng me while am in class and before my exams, and really standing by me right from the beginning, inspiring me to give it my best shot, right to the capstone exam. And I love him more for being so caring and supportive.

Well now am ready to begin a life post-MPA. Hmmmm....what is else in store for me, fate?