Is it a paper, or is it a journey?

I went to pickup my degree & transcript from NTU this morning. The collection area was somewhat like a matric fair - u try on the gowns, pickup the right sizes that fit, produce your matric card to pickup your degree & transcript & grab the alumni gift. In 15mins, i was outta the hall & could head to work.

I treasure this degree of mine more than my Bachelor's. I suppose it's becoz i know i really worked hard to earn this. The late nights rushing projects, papers, juggling the research & all the burnt weekends are probably things i'll miss. In a blink of an eye, the 2 yrs is over, leaving me feeling a little lost.

& the best part, after all the sweat & toil, the degree was just handed to me so "unceremoniously". Well, i wasn't hoping for pomp & circumstance but hmm, shouldn't there be some form of congratulations? Whether it's a journey or a paper, i suppose it's up to the individual to decide.

Over the weekend, i had the Guo Da Li ceremony. Haha, in case u are clueless, that's when the groom's family will bring gifts, wedding cakes & brideprice to the home of the bride, supposely asking for her hand in marriage. Well, cliche as it may sound, my mum insisted upon it so KL's family had to do it the proper way. Here's a pix of the pricey & not-worth-it cakes from Pine Garden. Haha, this ain't my choice... & someone is regretting her decision. Should have just asked for a round butter/ walnut cake, it could have made a nicer gift to the relatives.