I have been an independent girl, I solve my own problems on my own.

Upon graduation, you won’t believe how many people get into companies based on who they know, not what they know. Their relatives are connections which they depend on to secure employment. I am different. I did two internships, and every time holidays rolled around, I’d get myself a part time job. so through interviews and a few professional exams. I got my job offers. With absolutely no help from my family at all.

Then came convocation. I walked around empty handed when my friends carried teddy bears, balloons and flowers till their arms couldn’t hold any more. Their parents, aunts and uncles each contributed to a convocation gift. Me? Nobody bought me anything. Unfazed, I decided not to whine or even hint to my family they ought to get me something. I marched up to the gift counter and bought my own convocation gifts with my own hard-earned money. I felt extremely proud of myself for being so self reliant. I don’t rely upon my family like a crutch. I stand on my own two feet and get what I want with no assistance.

On my birthday, my clique didn’t know. Cuz I sort of didn’t publicise my birthday when I was in ntu. My parents knew and got me only a simple blouse. I don’t think anyone else knew, or cared enough to throw me a surprise party or bombard me with gifts. Other people had Facebook walls flooded with birthday wishes, tables flooded with gifts, and phones flooded with birthday messages. I didn’t feel upset. I can’t be unloved unless I don’t love myself, I can’t receive no presents unless I don’t give one to myself. I don’t buy the idea that I need to extort gifts from my family. I don’t burden them.

So I bought birthday presents for myself. I got myself an ice cream cake, earrings and heels. No one is here to stop me from getting things with my own hands.

It’s not just in NTU that I learnt to be independent. it started in my earlier days, where everybody else got rewards for doing well in their a level exams except for me.

I hope everyone who reads this learn to find their own happiness by working on their own. The choice is yours.