#smugrad2014

July 16, 2014July 29, 2014 marymaddierosefamily, friends, graduation, smuLeave a comment

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Thank you SMU, for all the wonderful memories – the friends I’ve made, the love I found, the things I’ve learnt in and out of the classroom; the opportunities to travel, to learn new sports, to inspire. These have been the greatest 4 years of my life, and I have zero regrets. But the road wasn’t always so smooth. I regretted the decision choosing SMU in my first and second year, asking the what-ifs if I had chosen NTU or NUS instead. However, things changed. I started to enjoy the classes and met people who made life in school so much more enjoyable. I can proudly say that I’ve made friends for life – BFFs, and of course, the love of my life. They encouraged me, they listened to my endless ranting about sleep deprivation, heavy workload and useless group mates for years, yet they always willingly offered a shoulder to cry on and a listening ear. You know who you are. I thank God for you everyday.

Also, I would like to thank my mummy dearest for supporting me throughout my years of education. I hope you’re proud of what I’ve accomplished, and the woman I am today. I work hard so that one day, you can have the life that you really deserve. I know it wasn’t always easy – and maybe it still isn’t, being a single parent, having none of the household burdens shared with anyone. But you’ve done the best job. Look at where we are today. You never pushed me to study that hard. In fact, you were the one who told me not to kill myself over my exams, and that I should just go to sleep. You’ve said this since as far back as I can remember. Yet, I always studied into the wee hours, because I didn’t want you to waste your money sending me to school for nothing. Like you always say, “what is worth doing, is worth doing well”, and that has been a principle I’ve always believed in.

Yesterday, 15 July 2014, marked the official end of my university education. And I’m proud to announce that I graduated with a Cum Laude (totally unexpected!). It really brings me great joy to celebrate with those I love, and to see the proud faces of my family, especially my grandpa who already demanded to see my official transcript. I know that he is extremely proud of me too, because I’m the first in my generation to graduate from university.

Once again, thank you to everyone who has helped me in this journey. In all honesty, some of us may grow apart over the years, but at this very moment, I just want to say that I appreciate everything that you’ve done for me. I wouldn’t have made it this far, and this well, without you.

With love,

Maddie

Summer plans

May 10, 2013 marymaddieroseLeave a comment

Results were just released yesterday. I fared better this semester compared to the previous one. Current GPA is 3.5, cumulative’s still at 3.33 though. It’s just average but… well, what can I say? I’m just an average student! A little disappointed with my Performance Management and Compensation results though. The final paper killed me. Not because I didn’t know how to do it, but rather, I couldn’t complete the paper on time because the merit pay matrix was trial and error, and I kept trying and trying but I couldn’t get it within the budget ): Oh well, it’s over! And it’s summer!

Starting from 20th May, I will be TA-ing for the Executive MBA Negotiation class. I need the money for my exchange, which will cost a bomb! Might wipe out most of my bank account. Haha! I am praying I get that grant. PLEASE! Pretty please?

Was supposed to do a baking course this summer, but my mum says its too expensive. But she’s ok with sending me to Paris after graduation to pay tens of thousands of dollars to get my pastry making diploma from Le Cordon Bleu. Ok, sure. If you say so, I’ll gladly take that instead! So it’ll just be TA-ing and helping out at the office this summer before I fly for exchange. That and training, of course!

My friends are all busy now with internships and summer term. I feel so slack now

End of week 12

March 30, 2013March 30, 2013 marymaddieroseLeave a comment

The final week of school is coming. There’s that mixed feeling thing going on again. Dreading the coming week as it’s going to be pretty damn hectic with 2 presentations, 1 report and 1 final quiz. Oh, and did I mention I now have 7 classes each week. Since I started TA-ing for Negotiation class, I’ve been totally swamped by work! The only thing that keeps me going is knowing that the amount I earn from being TA will probably pay for my flight to Europe!

Speaking of which, I don’t think I’ve announced it here yet, but YES, I’m going for Exchange baby! 😀 Austria, here I come! I’m gonna love it in Graz. It looks like the quiet, old town kind of place. Exchange is going to give me a lot of time to myself once again. Since I’m going with 4 guys to FH Joanneum, I think I’ll be alone most of the time. Will probably leave Singapore to travel Europe before the term starts with Dj. I already have a list of places I want to visit! This is exciting ^^

Here are some snippets of life recently:

Hello boyfriend. Finally off his cast 2 days ago 🙂 Will be walking soon and I can’t be happier!

My awesome group mate from Valencia, who cooked authentic Spanish paella for us. IT WAS SO DARN GOOD.

After today’s Customer Relationship Management presentation. My 2 friends’ final presentation before they graduate! Congratulations Mich and Zhikai. We bloody hell wrote a 12,000 word report…

The BFFs (Cindy & I) had sweet cravings. We just so happened to walk past Canele. So… macarons! I had the fleur de sel and Cindy had feuilletine. Both really amazing. We will be on a quest to try every flavour ^^ And we are waiting for our dearest Ivy to return so we can bake macarons, and cupcakes and everything! YAY. We love you, Ivy! 🙂

Sleepless

October 11, 2011May 12, 2012 marymaddieroseLeave a comment

The past few days have been so bad in terms of energy level, mood and everything else in general! Boy, am I glad that at least I’ve gotten IEA out of the way!

Tasks at hand:

– MPW submission of appendix for project (Thursday), presentation next Thursday

– BP Term Paper (By next Monday) which is actually due tomorrow and I haven’t started! Prof sent an email saying that though he would prefer us to hand it in by tomorrow, that he will allow us till next Monday to tidy up. In my case… I hope I can finish it by this weekend.

– IEA meeting and group project (yet to start, don’t even know the question!)

– Marketing meeting (hope it’s not during the weekend)

It’s pretty daunting. I am sleep deprived. I slept an hour on Monday morning and I slept four hours on Tuesday morning. Note that I did not say night. That is because I never get to sleep before midnight. Blame my procrastination and my horrible time management skills.

The sleep deprivation is making me cranky, causing my eyelid to seemingly disappear every now and then, making me slightly ill and worst of all, it’s making me feel bloated! Damn you Cortisol! Still, I went for a run today, followed by some “pull ups” and squats at home. I can’t stand being sedentary for more than two days in a row. IT IS DRIVING ME CRAZY. ARGHHHHH! STRESSED.

I really want to blog about the Muay Thai BBQ and all, but I probably have to get back to work now. And I feel really obliged to go for Muay Thai training tomorrow because Mr. President seems angry. I don’t even feel well enough to though ):

I can’t wait for this week to be over. Seriously. I need my life back!

Best Thai food

October 5, 2011May 12, 2012 marymaddieroseLeave a comment

Had dinner at Sunshine Plaza yesterday. Was really good food and great company.

The Thai place is called Aroy Dee, which actually translates to ‘yummy’ or ‘delicious’. Indeed the food was yummy and priced really reasonably, although nothing compares to the prices we had back in Phuket over the summer! These 3 dishes cost us $22. There are sizes for the dishes, so we decided to go for a big bowl of their famed seafood tom yum. It was really spicy and sour! Probably the best tom yum we’ve had in Singapore, and better than some we tried in Thailand! I’d definitely recommend the Thai red curry and the vegetables too. They are really generous with their ingredients. The soup was chock full of seafood, mushrooms and other goodies! I’d definitely go back for more tom yum the next time (:

I also found out from Cindy today that the owner of Aroy Dee is actually the owner of Hilltop. Not bad!

Aroy Dee

91 Bencoolen Street, #01-12 , Sunshine Plaza

Well, it’s back to studying for now.

Just found out from my BP prof that he is extending our deadline for the term paper.

GREAT! Means I can dedicate this entire study week to IEA. IEA makes me curse and swear ):

I can’t wait for Saturday. It’ll be studying and then it’s off we go to Kelvin’s house for our Muay Thai BBQ. I hope I can a decent amount of work done by then! Gosh, I can’t wait to just finish that IEA paper. And from next week onwards, I have an extra 0.5 mod starting. Finishing Touch! I’ve done my personality profiling or MBTI, and I’m an ISFJ. I used to be an INTJ in JC. Amazing how we can some experiences can change us, hopefully for the better.

Love,

Maddie

Day Off

September 28, 2011May 12, 2012 marymaddieroseLeave a comment

Today was my Business Processes (BP) presentation. I am soooo glad that this project is over. Although I wouldn’t say that it’s the worst group I’ve worked with, I’d say that it was one in which I had much more responsibility. The accumulation of work and having to write and edit the report was such a pain. But hey! It’s over! So hooray! Time to move on to other obstacles.

In the past 2 days, I’ve had a total of about 7 hours of sleep, which has been really detrimental. I feel so crappy and cranky because I’m so tired. I am not used to sleeping so little because in my first year, I never quite bothered with staying up and doing assignments or preparing for class. Instead, once my bedtime came, I usually went straight to bed. In addition, I didn’t have these horrible 3 in a row days of morning classes which suck so badly. I’m never bidding for 2 consecutive days of morning classes ever again, even if my friends beg and plead. NOOOOOO. It’s so bad for my health ):

So today, I deserve a break from work.

A nice clean meal of chicken breasts and mixed vegetables.

I get to sleep in the morning. AWESOME!!! And it’s my favourite class tomorrow. Management of People at Work (MPW) by my awesome Professor (: He makes this subject so interesting, so interesting that it makes me want to take a second major in Organisational Behaviour and Human Resource (OBHR) but some people are telling me not to do it because even if you get the highest honours in OBHR, you still earn less compared to someone who got a second lower for finance. Well, I have to something to say about that. What’s the point going into something that you aren’t really interested nor capable in doing, just for the money? I rather do something I’m interested in and know I will do much better in. Maybe it’s just me but I definitely value the experience more than just the rewards.

On a completely different note… Anyway, I’d like to say… That I’m so proud with the shots from the Muay Thai photoshoot! (:

Muay Thai ❤ I don’t know how I can ever stop doing this. It’s back to Hilltop The Gym really soon this coming recess week!

Train hard, strive further. Greatness within. Humble. Strong.

And to the school gym tomorrow I shall go (:

I’ve missed out on trainings and workouts since Saturday due to horrible cramps and the rushing of projects. Now I’ve got some time, I better indulge in some good training which makes me so much happier and so much more confident about myself. I LIKE!

Goodnight you lovely people (: Add oil all the way!

Love,

Maddie

Tired

August 31, 2011May 12, 2012 marymaddieroseLeave a comment

It kinda sucks to have 3 morning lessons in a row. Lesson learnt. Never bid for morning classes unless absolutely necessary. Fortunately, I only have one lesson a day this semester. Unfortunately, since training starts at 7pm, I have between 12 and 7pm to ‘mug’. I’m no mugger, no matter how hard I try. I wish I could but I just can’t. People mug till they’re stressed, but I’m stressed because I can’t mug! NOOOOO 😦

I got back from training really late.

A cute illustration of Crossfit! I think my favourite is still the kettlebell swings and tyre flips!

I can flip huge ass tyres too!

Yup! That’s me doing some push ups! 🙂

Handstands!

Good news is that the Muay Thai clinics ended today. Means proper training for us seniors. I got trained by Terence today and it was simply… AMAZING! It feels great to finally push myself so hard again. I wanna keep training harder. I miss the feeling of soreness and fatigue associated with a good, challenging workout. It keeps me going and it makes me feel so alive!

I love this. So true.

It’s 2.18am. I’ve got Management of People at Work (MPW) at 3.30pm. Phew, at least I get to sleep in! SMU life is hectic, but I’m blessed to be able to study here!

Love,

Maddie

Week 2, Down!

August 27, 2011May 12, 2012 marymaddieroseLeave a comment

After such a long holiday which lasted 4 months this summer, it’s kind of hard to start adapting back to university life. SMU is really mad. Everything is hectic, and after last semester’s straight Bs (which really sucks by the way!), I’ve got no time to lose this semester. It’s 3am and I’m up doing my readings. I’m going to be ever ready for class! Year 2, I shall conquer you!

In the first 2 weeks of school, I’ve dedicated lots of my time to SMU Muay Thai with Vivace -our CCA exhibition day- as well as our Muay Thai clinic, which we just extended into its second week! We had over 170 sign ups last Friday. How awesome is that? (:

Here’s the week (or two!) in photos: