Pursue Your Dreams & Get Busy Living

A simple subject it is, dream. Most of us have actually forgotten to dream ever since we left our childhood years. However, I could still remember mine, to be a professor in medical field, a flamboyant ambition for 6 years old. I myself did not know where on earth it came from because none of my family members were in those 2 fields. Nevertheless, you might wonder whether the dream had come true. Yes, but with a little bit twist of fate; I am a senior operation engineer by profession who is currently in her knowledge quest. Whenever I think of my early education years in my small 'kampong', it makes me smile and true enough it was full of fond memories. No pressure, full of creative games, and very competitive too. Lucky enough, I had bunch of friends who had the same drives as I did in academic. The pressure to outnumber each other during examination was always at a high stake.

As I grew up, the world had opened up for me, at 12, I knew cousins who went to boarding schools, overseas universities etc2. And I guess, I too can achieve lots more if I walked out of this serenity surrounding, i.e. my tranquility kampong scene and the comfort of living with my parents. The only possible way to do it was by getting aces to prove my sheer determination. In other word, it was my golden ticket. Though neither me nor my school mates did make an entry to boarding schools despite of our straight A’s result. I had an offer from the state to further my studies in city’s school with special bursaries. Not only that it eased up the burden of my parents but the thought of free schooling because I did well in exam was a motivation to me. Unfortunately, I had to leave my friends behind. We were separated for 5 years but making every efforts to reach our so called primary ambitions.

Studying in city school was not easy as I had to face my utmost fear, English and adapt myself with the new environment. It was both, difficult and exciting experiences. By the end of my secondary years, I wrapped up the sessions with good results and full list of strong curricular activities. My language skill had improved tremendously as well. I did feel sometimes that there were others out there who had actually done much better than me, but it never stopped me from being proud of my own achievements. What more to reach my fullest potential. In certain stage in life, we are actually our own best competitors. Over the years, I have developed few skills which are crucial for me. Not only I had become an observant, a proper planner but also an opportunist. I knew that life despite of hard work and proper planning can be sometimes over ruled by fate. And that was exactly what happened when I embarked my A-Level studies. Our country was hit by the worst recession crisis ever after 10 years and my program was truncated.

I did not go abroad as I always dreamt of, but I took a momentary diversion on my life’s path. I settled for one of the local private university under convertible loan scheme. However, I had to start all over again, the 1 year spent for my A-Level was not counted as an admission qualification. I started fresh as if I had just completed my SPM and to my surprise, I would have to spend another 5 years before being awarded a Bachelor (Honors) in Chemical Engineering. Frustrated? Yes. An undeniably feeling resided within me. However, 5 years were too long for grievance. I decided to move on and equipped myself with all the skills and credentials as added values to my paper qualification. The world was very competitive before and it still is. There are only 2 options available for me, either to be equally good as others or simply being the best. And I opted for both.

Throughout the journey that I have shared with you, I did too lost my strength and courage to move on, Yes, sometimes, I didweep before sleep to ease myself & whenever the world seems to be tumble down upon me. I too have faced failures in many ways. Howver, life is too short to be wasted, we can either get busy living or get busy dying... my answer is... certainly to be get busy living. You too I hope.