I'm done with my final year exams, I'm done with my final year project and I'm done with all the usual stuffs the final year of one's degree entails.
But I am not sure whether I am done with farewells and good-byes.
I guess I never have an idealized notion, some inkling of how the final year of my degree would be like and thus I embraced the last few days of my final exams with no more than a desire to simply finish the second Comprehensive paper.
No pre-planned post exam parties, no drawn-out eulogies to mourn the passing of what one may call an era, no blaring fanfares to celebrate the joy of freedom recovered.
Having routinely slaved for 12 hours in the library for the past few weeks, I must admit that it didn't take long for the feeling of emptiness and loss to set in a few hours after my last paper.
It felt like post-Malaysian-Night syndrome all over again.
Who would have thought that 2 weeks of exams would pass so quickly, how the time in between the papers would simply flow off one's back without one truly realizing it.
Such is the relativity of time.
I would have to say though that my 3rd year exams seemed to be much more satisfying and fulfilling than the ones I had in first and second year; largely I suspect because of the dauntless friends I had during my sojourn at the library.
The exam period is taxing enough for any reasonable individual and I count myself lucky to always be in the company of such excellent friends - Irham, Alberto & Ben.
Whether it is someone to walk beside me to the prayer room or to drag me to the JCR for a quick dose of caffeine, I am extremely thankful for their presence, for they had made my trek to the finish line a bit more bearable.
It was intellectually stimulating and emotionally gratifying to simply be around them.
My only regret is that soon I have to part with these kindred souls as the year draws to a gradual but definite close.
The time has come for my final encore.
