P6 Graduation Night

Juliane attended her P6 Graduation Night held in school tonight. 
Lots of fun moments, lots of memories and lots of goodies! 

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

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! 

Graduation Gown

I made an appointment to collect my graduation gown at 3pm today. My intention was to rent the gown because I saw absolutely no need to buy the gown at all. BUT I ended up buying the gown lol. How did that happen?

Besides renting the gown, I was going to get the graduation portrait special at $280 too (1 family portrait 28cm x 35cm canvas with frame, 6 family photos 3R with folder, 1 individual 20cm x 25cm portrait with folder and 6 individual photos with folder). The salesperson told me since I was getting the portrait special, with an additional $8, the graduation gown would be mine to keep. Well, I started doing the math - the rental is $42 and the purchase price (without portrait special) is $79... Hey, I am getting a real bargain at $50!! :D The "shopaholic" me prevailed over the practical me. That's how I ended up buying the gown. :P

Juliane's Graduation Ceremony

Today is Juliane's graduation ceremony. She will be in Primary 1 next year.

We arrived at NTUC Auditorium, Marina Boulevard at 11am because K2 graduates have to arrive earlier to dress up in their graduation gowns and hats. The MMI concert started at 12.10pm with a welcome speech and followed by the presentation of certificates to the K2 graduates. I am so proud to see Juliane in her graduation gown lol. :P

Juliane was also the emcee for their K2 dance item as well as being in the dance. She showed a lot of confidence speaking in public which is good. :)


The concert ended at 2pm and Juliane took some photos with her K2 classmates as after next week (last week of school for K2), they will be going their separate ways.

Coincidence

I just realised that I will be missing out on Marieann's Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony on Saturaday, 1 November. :( At that time, I will be in Korea attending a conference on Science Education. I guess the girls' father will have to take lots of photos for me to see.

Now I come to think of it, not just Marieann is receiving her certificate. I will also be receiving a certificate in Korea on 1 November. I will receive a certificate of the fellowship of which I have been granted at the closing ceremony of the conference.

Coincidence huh, both mother and daughter will be receiving certificates on the same day, haha. :)