The Grand Finale!

Uhm...a 'grand finale' did actually have a whole lot difference compared to the preliminary one. No, i am not referring to the toughness of the question and all, .. i just couldn't explain it, but everything seems to tensed up and got really serious here. At least that's how i felt. For starters, there is only 9 finalist candidate chosen from a pool of at least 30-40 peoples from the preliminary round. Yes, that's how tough it is..maybe i did fairly good and with some luck i got through to the final round. Thank god! Secondly, unlike the first time i attended the interview, where they told me to come to their HR Department all by myself with nothing but a roughly out-of-proportion hand drawn map, this time round, i was provided a 'free' return flight ticket from KLIA to Changi Airport and inclusive of 3 days 2 nights stay at a chosen hotel there. Why 'free' and not free? Well, i said 'free' because it wasn't exactly free in a sense that it was applicable only to the ticket fare EXCLUDING the fuel surcharge and airport taxes, so in the end i have to fork out additional 300 bucks for the ride, but hey, it's worth it :). Why 3 days 2 nights? Apparently, the final interview procedure took longer time than the first one, and in case you got through the final, you still need to proceed to the final hurdle; the medical test. Nightmare. Otherwise, you can just tapao your bag and go back after the first night. A little cruel yes, but painfully true.

The plane i was boarding on was the Boeing 772 (or 777-200) and it was a rather pleasant ride, except for an embarassing moment when i was playing with my personal remote control by randomly pressing the button, not realizing that it's the 'flight-attendant call' button. I pressed it not only one time, but several times as i was amazed by the repeatedly ding ding ding sound by each press of the button on my the remote control. Okay, call me stupid. So when one of the flight attendant came, i knew what does the 'ding' sound actually meant. With a very warm smile, she greeted me and asked if i required any assistance. My heart was pounding madly and i was desperately trying to come up with a logical answer. Heck, no way im going to tell her that i was playing with the button. Out of a sudden, a not-so-brilliant idea came out from nowhere, and i decided to tell her that i accidentaly pressed the button when i was adjusting myself on the seat. Yeah right, accidentaly pressed the button for 5-6 times consecutively. Anyway, she probably knew that i was lying and simply node, still maintaining her smile, telling me it was okay and walked away. "Great!", i thought myself. "Can't even stay still for a short 45 minutes ride." I didnt touch anything else for the rest of the journey.

On the evening of 26th June 2007 i found myself at the entrance/exit door(whatever you want to call it) of the Changi Airport, took me a while to find the cab service. Hiring a cab was a hitch as they were loads of them and the next thing i know, i was already on my way to the hotel. Upon reaching the hotel, next thing to do is of course, check-in, and it's very straightforward as well. I only told them my name and that i was sent here by SIA, they quickly passed me the room key and told me that my other room mate has arrived earlier than me.

Without bothering to ask who or when, i thanked them and made my way up.....up and further down to my room, knock a few times. No answer. Insert my own card key and got in. Neat. Nobody is around, except for his bag and some clothes here and there. Hop up to my bed and lie down and dozed off for a while. Everything was just too comfy! ZzzzZzzzzz....

-To be continued...-

Waiting is agonizing....

Yes, waiting has never been more agonizing in my entire life. From what i heard, result of the preliminary interview will typically be released 2 weeks afterward, 3 top. Those who did not make it through will get a rejection mail instead of no news at all, so er...i don't really know whether this is a good thing at all. Sometimes, getting no news is better than being informed of failure dont ya' think? :S

I didnt get a single word from SIA since i last went to the preliminary interview, not even after 1 month (checking mailbox at least 3-4 times everyday)....no...2 months....no...3...NO! and so on... At that time, i was really nervous and worried because i thought they might have accidentaly left out my name. I was really tempted to send them an e-mail initially, but held back because i do not want add anything to the their already mega-heavy burden(and consequently risking my one time chance to get through), imagine if everyone is sending them the same e-mail asking for application status. Im sure it will drive me mad if i were in their position, hahahahha! Okay... i lied, my curiousness got the better of me. Exactly 1 month after i attended the preliminary, i e-mailed SIA again enquiring about my status. Fortunately, to my relief, i got back a reply a couple of day afterward stating that my application was held in KIV because i have yet to complete my study and obtain my degree scroll from MMU. So, even though a little sad, i was definitely relief compared to previous weeks. I patiently waited...and waited...and waited....

Waited...
Waited...
Waited...
Waited...

Ah..it feels like forever

Waited...
Waited...
Waited...

Ah! Finally, my final exam is over for the very last time, around end of May. Time to enjoy, i know, still not forgetting about SIA, i went for a Hong Kong trips with my dear friends Boss, LoudSpeaker(faulty amplifier), CurryLeaves, and CurryLeaves's Friend (Please take note that their real name are masked for my own protection). Uhm, okay, since this blog is not dedicated to my holidays event, let's move on :)

After i came back from HK around 10th of June, i noticed that i have not received any news from SIA yet. Have they forgotten that i have graduated? Hmm, i sent them an e-mail again, but this time only to kindly 'remind' them that i have completed my study in case they.....forget. HECK, i was wrong, it turned out that they did not forget at all, and ha s been processing my details when i was away.

Finally! On 14th June 2007, i received an e-mail stating that i have to attend to the final interview cum aptitude test on 27th june 2007, such a short notice but i really can't describe how excited and happy i was at that moment. This time i have nothing more to worry about, no study, no exam, no damned project, NOTHING except for my future. And this is what i wanted, i could not afford to screw this one precious chance up. So here i go, preparation and stuff, only more 100x more hardcore now compared to the first time, no more half assed preparation, no distraction...etc. You know what i mean! :P Everything is for the final interview, my future career!