The Last One

Today, my collleague, Khin is graduating. He is the last one of the group of us who were PhD students from Core 1 research. Congratulations, Dr Khin Maung Aye!

Photo with Dr Khin and his lovely wife :)

The newly minted Dr Khin!

Convocation 2014

Today I attended the convocation of 6 colleagues/ friends' convocation at NTU. I feel so proud as I have known four of them since 2004 (10 years!!) and we all started doing our PhDs around the same time in 2005/ 2006. However, I graduated with my PhD 2 years earlier in 2012. :P Otherwise it would have been wonderful to have a photo of all of us wearing our PhD gowns, hoods and bonnets! :) 
Seeing my friends in the auditorium brings back fond memories for me. It is hard to believe that I was in their shoes two years ago. I could relive and relish that proud moment now as it was a blur for me then lol. 
Congrats to Drs Dennis Kwek, Melvin Chan, Tan Teck Kiang, Redzuan, Zhang Limei and Lee Ai Noi. :)

The four amigos that I have known since 2004! :)

We were all in the same project 2004-2007/2008

6/6/12

This day will always be special and meaningful for me. 
It is the day that I was conferred my PhD. :) 
The date is easy to remember too! 
6612 --> 6+6=12 Lol. :P

PhD Holders vs Projector

How many PhD holders are needed to set up the projector?
One of our colleagues needed to set up his notebook to link to the projector for our meeting. However, the technician wasn't around so we were on our own. It started with one, then two, then three and in the end there were 3 PhD holders, 1 PhD candidate, and 1 manager who were mulling around the controls and trying to work out how to fix up the projector. Unfortunately after 15 minutes, still nothing. In the end, it was another manager, the 6th person, who managed to set it up lol. 
In the end , none of the PhD holders were able to fix up the projector. LOL. What my mother said on an occasion suddenly makes sense - the more educated you are, the more stupid you become. Perhaps we stop being an all-rounder once we started specialising in our area of knowledge. Perhaps we stop learning about other areas unrelated to our area of expertise. Perhaps we also become more adverse to taking risk... Perhaps we should start learning again about everything else around us. 

Welcome to the Club!

My good friend and colleague had his PhD oral defense this morning. It was a "full house" as in all the chairs were occupied and extra chairs had to be brought in (about 20 people in all, excluding the panel of examiners). Some were his supporters (like me lol) and some were there to listen to his topic. His presentation lasted for 43 minutes and the Q&A lasted for 50 minutes! He answered all the questions very well. He also gave answers to comments even when the answers were not needed! He was definitely in survival mode and on auto-pilot haha. The panel only took a minute to discuss the outcome of his oral defense. He passed with no further amendments! 

Before oral defense: Tensed, going through slides again one last time

After oral defense: RELIEVED! HAPPY! :)

Welcome to the club, Dr Dennis Kwek! :)

PhD Dry Run

I attended a good friend's dry run for his PhD oral defense. Good stuff but overshot the 40 minutes time frame by 20 minutes. Need to cut down a few more slides and talk less lol. 
It was almost 2 years ago when I had my Phd oral defense but I could still remember the sleepless nights, the anxieties before the defense. Not something I would want to go through again. So I can totally feel for my friend. 
Good luck, Dennis! You are always the most articulate among us. :) You will do fine! :)

Celebration + Gathering

Today, a bunch of us threw a mini-party for a good friend/ colleagues of ours, Dennis to celebrate his submission of his PhD thesis for examination! Aileen and I discussed the idea about two weeks ago and once I managed to lock our VIP down to a date on the pretext of an important lunch meeting, we moved into action. Aileen bought the food while I contacted our friends/ colleagues about the celebration+gathering.
It was funny when our VIP came to look for me about the "lunch meeting" before the appointed time. As our friends/ colleagues were still arriving from their various offices, I had to send him to wait in his car first. It was a wonder that it didn't occur to him that we were up to something when he met a few of our friends/ colleagues who never normally appear at our office, on the way to his car. Lol. Once we were ready, I sent him a text message on the pretext that I needed his IT expertise urgently at the small meeting room. 
As Dennis opened the door, we shouted "Surprise!". He was really SURPRISED! Haha.

"What's this?"

"HUH??!!"

"Oh, I see. Hahaha"

Red velvet cake - Congrats 7 years!

"I did it!"

Aileen, Dennis and I

Christine and Dennis

Sharm and Dennis

Mardiana and Dennis

It was a great celebration with lots of good and healthy food and great company. Most of us have been at our organisation since 2004/ 2005 and have worked together at one point of time or another so there were lots of laughter and reminiscing of old times. :) As we were too engrossed in talking and eating, we forgot to take a group photo and also of colleagues who had to leave earlier for meetings and lessons.
Well done, Dennis for the submission of your thesis. We are all really, REALLY HAPPY for you!! The next celebration is your shout! Lol. :P

A PhD Doctor, NOT a Medical Doctor

In the evening, the council of my estate had a meeting with LTA with regards to the new Napier MRT station that would be built near our estate. As a committee member of the council, I attended the meeting. After the meeting, the LTA personnel asked me if I am working at Gleneagles Hospital. I clarified that I am a PhD doctor, not a medical doctor. 
I guess people automatically assume that I am a medical doctor when they hear the Dr salutation in front of my surname. I wonder how many more such clarifications I have to make for the rest of my life lol.

Are You a Doctor?

Today, my counsellees behaved differently from the usual when they saw me. The below is the conversation with my first counsellee. 

1st counsellee: "Are you a doctor?"
Me: "Oh, yes. But how did you know?"
1st counsellee: "Ms so-and-so told me"
Me: "Oh, I see."
1st counsellee: "Can I see you when I am sick too?" 
Me: "Oh, no, NO! I am NOT a medical doctor but a PhD doctor."

The same conversation happened with the next few counsellees. Apparently, the teacher-in-charge updated the counsellees' counselling notification slip and has now put me down as "Dr xxxx" instead of "Mrs xxxx". I think one or two of them still don't understand why a PhD doctor is not a medical doctor even after explaining. Just hope they don't expect to see me turning up for future counselling sessions in a white lab coat and a stethoscope round my neck lol.

What Should You get a PhD in?

Bored. Did Blogthings quiz. Tickled by result. 

You should get your PhD in Education

You have a lot of inner strength, and you can dig deep when you need to. You are resilient. You are both patient and persistent. You don't give up on anything or anyone. You have what it takes to be an amazing educator - no matter what the subject is or who the students are. You are good at meeting people where they are, and you'll work hard to make sure they learn what you are teaching them.

What Should You Get a PhD In?

  

Thank goodness, I haven't wasted my time. I do have a PhD in Education lol.

Post-Convo Photos

I took more photos post-convocation lol. This time round with my fellow colleagues/ friends and my supervisor who was in town this week for consultation! :) Oh and with Juliane too as she had followed me to work yesterday. :) 

Specialness

I have just been notified that my abstract has been accepted for a conference in Australia at the end of the year. :) It has been a while since I attended a conference with the last one being in December 2010, in Australia too lol. This conference is going to be special for me because for the first time, I will be attending it as a PhD holder. I can't think of a better place to attend my first conference as a PhD holder because Australia has always been and will always be a special place for me! :)

Convocation 2012

My convocation ceremony was today! However, I woke up feeling quite indifferent and went about my usual routine. I had counselling in the morning and returned home around 2pm. I tried to rest but I guess I started to feel excited by then lol. By 4pm, my parents and I took a cab down to NTU Auditorium where my convocation ceremony was being held. Unfortunately I was only given two tickets so my girls couldn't attend.

Oh my goodness, I have never seen so many people! I was really overwhelmed by the sheer number of people and the sheer weight of my PhD gown, bonnet and hood lol. I felt really proud that I was graduating in my PhD gown. :) I also felt like a character in Harry Potter haha. :P Had quite a few stares from people lol. Oh they might have been staring because the gown was too big on me and not because I am wearing a PhD gown. :P I met my friends and mentors and we took a few photos before we had to adjourn and be seated at the auditorium by 5.30pm.

The ceremony started at 6pm, with the Director NIE giving the opening speech, followed by the Guest-of-Honour, Professor Lin Goodwin giving her speech. Her speech was really inspiring and I was touched. Then it was our moment, the graduands going up on stage to receive our degrees. It started with the Doctor of Philosophy graduands, about 20 of us. I felt extremely proud when my name was called. It finally sank in that I am now and forever, Dr Wong Hwei Ming. :) After the PhD graduands, it was the turn of 590 Masters graduands. The whole ceremony lasted for an hour and a half. It was physically grueling for us, or rather for me because the gown was really heavy and I was clapping after every name was called. At the end of the ceremony, my shoulders were cramping up and really sore. :(

After the ceremony, I managed to take more photos with my family and friends. :) There was also a reception and the food was pretty nice lol. My parents were dropped off at home before I joined a few friends for a celebratory dinner. :) 

My proud parents and I

My favourite PI who walked all the way from NIE campus to the auditorium to give me support! Really Grateful! :)

Asst Prof Sim. Thank you for your support.

Inside the auditorium before the ceremony started

Assoc Prof Low. Thank you for your support!

Assoc Prof Wong, my PGDE lecturer since 1996! Thank you for your support and guidance over the many, many years. :)

My PhD buddy, Dennis. Hurry, your turn next year!

I have finally graduated! Thank you to everyone who were at the ceremony and also to those who were watching the live streaming of the ceremony!! Thank you for your support and for sharing in my happiness! 

Celebration

My RAs took me out to lunch to celebrate me getting my PhD. :) They have always been very supportive and encouraging when I was working on my PhD. We went to our all-time favourite haunt, Swensen's! Haha. We tried to control ourselves this time by NOT ordering sides which came free with our mains. However, we couldn't resist ordering the free drinks and of all things, we ordered malted milk shake!! We were so full by the time we were done with our mains. During lunch, we caught up with what's happening with each other and there were lots of laughter. The highlight of lunch was the Earthquake ice cream (8 scoops of ice cream). :P No matter how full we were, we had to have the Earthquake lol. :P After lunch, I was presented with a certificate. It is really funny. See the photo. :) 

First Presentation

I had my first presentation today as a PhD holder. It does feel different presenting as Dr Wong instead of Ms Wong hahaha. :P

PhD Thank You and Thoughts

It is still pretty surreal that I have finally achieved what I set out to do - get my PhD.
Although the PhD is in my name, I could not have completed it without the contributions, support and encouragement of many people. I really have to thank the following people for my achievement.
THANK YOU to:
Dr Koh and Prof Paris, for their guidance.
Dennis, for always pushing me to think more critically and outside of my "tai-tai" box lol.
Yee Zher, for coaching me in statistics, my kryptonite lol.
Dr Chew, Dr Wong, Dr Foong, for their encouragement.
Aik Ling, Sharm, Azlina, Filzah, Han Jing, many other friends and colleagues, my former students, for their moral support and encouragement.
My parents, for putting up with all the stacks of books and articles I left all over the place and for putting up with my moods when I am stressed about my PhD.
My daughters, for putting up with the part-time mother I have been to you and for cheering on me when I was writing my extra thick "homework" of 300 pages.

Thank you to all for your support and encouragement. :)

Finally, a DR!

At 11.20am, I am officially Dr. Wong Hwei Ming! :)
My oral defense started at 9.40am. There were four people in the panel, not including my supervisor who was present to give her support. However, the examiner is now in Hong Kong so we had to link via Skype. It was kind of unusual for me, presenting to four people and a computer lol. There was a small audience too, made up mainly of my friends and supporters and my PI! Haha.
I was pretty nervous when I started but the panel was really nice and put me at ease. It helped too that I could always look to the audience to see my good friends smiling at me and giving me the thumbs up. :) Thanks, Guys! Your presence really meant a lot to me. :)
Actually, the presentation was still not too bad lol. The most scary part was the Q & A. I thought I won't be able to get through it. But again, the panel was most encouraging. I got the better of my nerves and became more confident as I answered each question. Before I know it, it was the end. The audience and I were invited out so that the panel could discuss the outcome of my oral defense. My friends were really nice and waited with me even though they didn't have to. 10 minutes later, I was called back into the meeting room. The examiner was really cute and called me Dr Wong even before the Head of the panel could announce the results to me lol. :P
After the panel left, my friends came back into the room to congratulate me. It suddenly became overwhelming for me and I burst into tears. :P It's tears of happiness, tears of relief, tears of disbelief. After seven years, I have finally gotten my PhD.
Thank you to everyone who has given me advice, support and encouragement over the years when I was on my Phd journey.
It feels GOOD to have finally arrived. It feels GOOD to be called Dr Wong hahaha. :P

1st Run

I had my first dry run today for my oral defense. My sup said it was good - the number of slides were appropriate and the pacing was just right. I just need to add in a few lines to one of my existing slides.
Phew. I thought it would be a mess. Now I just need to do another dry run or two with my friends to familiarise myself with the pacing and my notes. :)

Dry Run

Made further revision to my slides for my PhD oral defense. It is now version 7. :P Gearing up now for my dry run with my supervisor this coming Friday.

Presentation Prep II

I am done with my Phd oral defense presentation. It is version 6 and currently stands at 56 slides. My earlier versions had far more slides! Haha. I either have to talk very fast in 40 minutes or I will have to cut it down further. I have sent it to my supervisor for vetting and approval. Awaiting her reply now.