My Final Decision
I'm blessed to have a good thinking mind to plan for my future after my graduation in RP.
I'm blessed to have friends who are there with me whenever I have my own ups and downs.
I'm blessed to have Dr. Yeo as someone experienced to give me his professional advices when I've asked him what are the odds of getting a scholarship.
Most importantly, I have my family, who gave me their utmost support on a final decision that I've already made.
I've realized that no matter how much I do, there's no point for me to enter the University of Western Australia in such a short notice, especially when the intake for Music is only on Feburary and the audition period is in October.
Too short. >.<
Plus whatever I'm doing right now, they just overlap. Thus, I've drew out 2 options and I've got my options explained to my Mum last night, even though I forced her to listen to my plans while she's sleeping (but she's very clear-minded, mind you).
My Mum agrees to Option No. 2 (which I will explain later) and she will talk to my Dad.
This morning before going to school, I've asked my Dad whether Mummy explained to him on whatever I've explained to her. He told me that more or less, he gets it and then from there, he gave me a very long, practical advice that for the first time in my life, I've gotten quite emotional...
This is his advice to me...
"...No matter what you do, don't rush. After graduation, take a break first and continue to work as a piano teacher for a year. During that year alone, you pay for your own expenses, including paying for your cello and piano lessons. Since your path has already set on furthering your studies in Music and majoring in Cello, you might as well take a year off to get a strong foundation base in your Cello first. Concentrate on and complete your English O-Level examination first so that you won't feel so lost if you want to apply to UWA.
And perhaps, it would be also best that you take your time to complete your Diploma in Piano Performance first. But then for your Cello, complete your Grade 7 now, hopefully complete your Grade 8 as well later, and then from there, you can apply for the scholarship that you want and the entrance to the university itself, with no worries.
Meanwhile, complete your Polytechnic diploma in here first. At least, if anything goes wrong, you still got your poly diploma to back you up. Better still, if possible, try to get a good GPA so that if you've finally decided not to pursue Music, which I don't think you would change your mind but never mind, at least, you can pursue a degree in Economics, something that it could be your second choice - only if that's what you want eventually.
The more you rush yourself, the more disappointment you're going to face. I know you too well, you're that sort of person who can't take in disappointments and setbacks. If you want something, means you really wanted it. And what happens to you if you rush yourself into such things? There will bound to be more disappointments for yourself.
But now, I've seen you grown up to be a much better person so when you've decided to go into such path, to go into such route and to actually make a point to ask us for advices, I've no worries.
Just go ahead and do it. No matter whatever it is, we will still be there for you. Understand?"
My Mum was in the living room to listen when my Dad gave me this advice. After that, she went asking me," So now, are you sure about your options now?"
I just nodded my head, simply speechless. His advice sounds very much like how Dr. Yeo has given me the advice on Monday, after the Ensemble's rehearsal, on what are the odds of getting a scholarship. The advices that they've given me, sound exactly the same as what Dr. Yeo has given me.
For a moment, I actually do have butterfiles in my stomach, wondering what my parents are going to react if I told them that my Option No. 2 is to take a year's break, continue to work as a piano teacher (which means, opening another teaching day in the music school) and at the same time, to build up a strong foundation in my Music, especially my Cello and also to gain a proper foothold in the Singapore's music scene. By then, I would already have 100% confidence of applying the NAC's scholarship and also, applying to UWA.
Then, I started to get emotional and cried a little in the toilet while bathing. This is very surreal. I never know that my future plans would actually receive tremedous support from my parents, especially from my Dad.
Thanks Dad and Mum, for giving me the support that I really need at this moment. I will never fail you folks and that within that year alone after graduation from RP, I will make sure that I will get the scholarship from NAC and an entrance to UWA. By 2009, I would already have the 110% confidence to do that. =D
Thanks Dr. Yeo, for the practical advices that you've given me. You really give me that sort of confidence and the inspiration to challenge myself further. After my graduation from RP, I would heed your advice and go into the crazy mode by practising my cello for 5 - 6 hours (which I can). Then again, when it's time to apply for the NAC's scholarship, I seriously need you as my referee...so please, don't forget arh. =)
When I get back home, the first thing I would seriously need to do is working backwards from 2009's Feburary intake and paste it on my cabinet's doors to remind myself everyday... and also, to find a very good cello teacher who can give me the inspirations and the guidance that I need...
For now, it's never too late to bounce back in my RP's 3rd year modules though...
One more day away to Mr. Goh's trial lesson, looking forward to it!