Financial Engineering has taken up most of my time, with meetings everyday, and marathon meetings too, especially last week. I'm glad our main case presentation is over and even though we are left with one more case to do, at least it's not as difficult as our main case. It was quite an experience though, the four of us spending about 15 hours each on Saturday and Sunday, and staying up till 3am in school, calibrating our models, pricing our structured product for the client, writing the CEO memo, preparing slides and polishing our presentation (and I'm really proud of our slides =p). It really reminded me of my internship experience, staying up late at night doing work even though I was already physically and mentally exhausted. But it was good bonding with my teammates and I'm really glad I could work with them. We would laugh over the most random things and having spent so much time with them, the way I speak has been pretty much influenced too. Haha.
Yesterday marked the last day of classes for undergraduates, but it didn't really feel like one to me. Perhaps it's because my last day of class is officially next Wednesday (still have my grad class during finals week!). But well, I have been skipping quite a few classes this last week that it really didn't feel like I was going for classes anymore. Still, I really can't believe that this semester is almost over. Only 12 more days to me going back. Even though I want all the work to be over, I am half-sad that this semester is over really. It has been quite an interesting semester, and personally, I feel that I am much more independent to a certain extent now than I was before. I don't know if it is because I am now spending much less time with the close friends I have here, or if it is out of maturity.
Quite a number of things have happened, which really make me feel that I have grown older and that the years are passing by too quickly. My brother secured an internship in E&Y and I am really proud of him. It was a really pleasant surprise for me..I didn't even know he had applied there! Really reminded me of my internship search last semester and it was then that I realized that my brother is growing up too! In fact, he will be graduating next December, just half a year after my graduation. My youngest brother just took his SAT last week and he will be applying for colleges next year. Wow..my youngest brother, applying to uni! And myself? I am just half a year away from graduating from university. I have spent 2.5 years here and I will already be working next year! No more school, but going to the office. I don't know, but to me, this whole idea of growing up so quickly just scares me. Oh well.
But I am really grateful for everything and I really cannot thank Him enough for His blessings and provisions. For having carried me through these past two weeks, which may have been the toughest ever in my school life. It was pretty amazing that I didn't have much work to do at all besides Financial Engineering. Can't imagine having other work to do besides Financial Engineering. And also, for having provided a job for me. I don't have to worry about job applications now. And even though I have been really busy this semester and pulled all-nighters on some days, I don't think I feel burned out yet and I am really thankful for how everything has turned out.
It snowed this past week and somehow, seeing all the snow just gave me a sense of peace inside. Christmas is almost here and I can really feel the festive spirit with the Christmas decorations and Christmas songs. I am really looking forward to going back and spending Christmas at home, but there is still one last week to go through before that.
All the best to everyone for finals! I am sure you all can do it =)
My favorite picture from Thanksgiving! Wanted to write about the break, but didn't have time to. Thank you for such a wonderful company and for a really fun and and enjoyable trip! =)