"Where are you studying?", "Are you still on break?", "What are you planning to major in?", "I thought you are going Australia?", "Aren't you suppose to leave already?" and etc/
Thank for flooding me with questions every time we meet up. For the convenience of me not repeating my story countless times. I am going to explain myself here. Worry not friends, I shall answer all the above and hopefully clear your doubts. (Not like you really care hehe) Unplanned gap year: I think my blog title really answered a few questions but I shall tell you everything. How I got to where I am today. If you uhm really still want to read more then go ahead.
The process:
I completed my foundation in the year 2013 - December to be exact. Spent a month back in my hometown with family and friends. By then the application for the scholarship was already opened. However I waited for my final results in January to apply. Upon receiving my final results and graduation cert I waited. First few months was understandable - the deadline was only on the 28th of February. I understood I would miss my first Degree intake in Australian Universities - February intake.
I applied for:
- Queensland Uni - PE (conditional offer of 80% graded by their grading - I got 79%)
- RMIT - CE (Accepted and deferred my offer to July)
- University of Adelaide - PE (Rejected)
- Monash University - CE (Accepted - unconditional offer)
- Swinburne - CE (Accepted - Security plan)
Initially I wanted to start in February. Obviously, with the interviews and other stages I would have to defer till July. So I had to defer all my uni offers and I had half a year or so (July intake for Australia)? Planned to go Cambodia for 3 months. Best decision of my life this year btw. Parents contemplated about it and concluded it would be safer if I didn't go so long in case I got called for an interview. Also, visa is needed for a stay over 30 days. So the outcome was this - 1 month in Cambodia 2 months in Sabah. Got in touched with the MIssions Department at church and I even got a friend (John) to come. Off we went in March to Kampung Speu. I spent the best month of my entire year - in Cambodia wrapping and cataloguing books.
Meanwhile - no calls yet. No emails, no replies. Emailed and tried contacting the scholarship panel - failed. Came home and the worst thing happened. Before I left for Cambodia I wanted to train for a 10KM run. Foolishly pushed my knees too hard and I came home from a run not being able to straighten/support my knees. Instinctively assumed it was over worn - treated it with ice/knee guard and assumed the pain will leave after some rest. When I went to Cambodia - there was two days when I couldn't support my knees again. It hurt so bad.
Had no choice, went home and went to a private hospital for treatment. He immediately requested for an X-ray. So okay. Done. Then the Doctor diagnosed me as having "Weird females knees" (not his exact words) his only solution was to operate on it. He made it sound so darn serious and that any other treatment would never help. Was so shattered at that moment. Waves of regret and insecurity rushed over me. Why was I so stupid. Felt so irrational and wished I could turn back time :( Am I able to run again properly/without pain? Let alone walk. Fortunately Dad rationalised by not being rash and advised to get second opinion.
That week we headed to a government hospital. After 3 VISITS, I finally had an appointment. It was a long tedious process but when they finally had a look they referred me to their sports specialist. He took a look at my X-ray and couldn't find any misplaced/broken bones/ligaments. Told me to take supplements to strengthen my knees. He suggested MRI - minimum wait of a month! They prioritised in-house patients. So okay, no more hospital appointments. No running. Life was quite miserable.
Then I called up the scholarship coordinator and found out that I wrongly categorised my application as non-grade able (meaning I failed so badly). But after this was corrected, they sent me an email to take an IQ test. Completed it and waited.
Meanwhile - MRI was done. Results itself took ANOTHER month. For the MRI to be evaluated. After concluding that an operation was not necessary Dr. Vinod said it was safe to regain strength. Allowed to do squats and knee-safe exercises but no running. Had check up a month later and then 3 months later - last appointment was in August. Yes... April to August. Thankfully I am so much better now - my knees are quite close to perfect. May not be able to do so much running but it's slowly getting better.
I waited for a long time before I finally called the scholarship coordinator again. Asked about the outcome of my application and she informed that I was going to receive a call anytime soon. True enough I got a telephone interview scheduled (and done) the following week. That was already in July/end of June.
There was no way I could make it for the July intake in Monash. Crushed once again.
My legs didn't feel any better. And I was so upset. The final interview was scheduled 3 WEEKS from the telephone interview. Was so dejected really. Told everyone I was going to Monash (my church friends were expecting to see me). So bye bye Australia. Deferred Monash to February. Decided to get a job - applied for the Coffee Club and Starbucks. Coffee Club got back to me and it was another good decision. Met wonderful people and had a stressful/good time working those few months :) During work I was called for the final interview taking place at Menara Shell in KL. After it was done I was so relieved.
workmates
By now, I have already applied to UK with my Foundation - yep that's right. And out of all 5 choices 2 universities were recognized by Shell. Out of the 5 only the University of Birmingham accepted me for CE. Shell stated 'preferred universities' and I assumed Birmingham would be recognised since it is top 2 for CE under Cambridge. Quit work 3 days before the end of August for Varsity camp! And it was fun btw. There Miss Siti (scholarship coordinator) called to inform me that I was selected for the overseas scholarship (YAY!) but they strongly discouraged me doing CE in Birmingham. Crushed... again. Heh.
Kuching Kias
Came home for a day and flew to Kuching the next. Was awarded the scholarship and I talked to the panel. Apparently there are too many CE graduates and the oil and gas has a high demand for PE...... and since I have not started my degree (the other scholars are already in first year) I should consider other options. And go for PE. They assured me that upon graduating it will be easy to find a job.
So...bye bye Birmingham. Right now: UK university are all full for the Petroleum Engineering degree till next year! :o Ohnos. No more UK then. Monash is my security for February... because I am applying to the states! YES YOU READ IT CORRECTLY OK.
Safe to say - i've applied for Australia, UK, and States. :) Champion much? Ask me more about it okay!!
When I say I was crushed you should know that it was literally how I felt. I mean. I wanted to go study in Feb, then July and now even September. So I really didn't know what was going on. Questioning God. Why was He delaying the whole process. Previous years were way earlier - by July everything was settled. And my year, when I wanted to go... I couldn't. Not only that Yayasan Sarawak scholarship results are only out in August. So it was either wait, or wait.
I had to see my friends (same intake) enter into degree. Finish one semester and by the end of the year the second. I had to watch my friends compete in SUKMA while I stand sidelined - wondering if i'll ever run again. Explaining how silly I was.
IT IS SAFE TO SAY GOD CAME THROUGH FOR ME. Through prayers, encouragements, perfect timings, perfect job. Everything pointed me to remember that His plan is the best. So reassuring to see His hands through it all. Just waiting for that open door. He has his reasons.
If you didn't read anything I wrote earlier; I only have one thing to say.
I'd rather walk into something God has planned for me than live my life not doing His will. "Sometimes the people around you won't understand your journey they don't need to. It's not for them"
Because at the end of the day He is what really matters. Till then!
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