The Beginning

A full-fledged landscape architect.

At last.

That was four months ago, and I've since realized that what seemed like an end * "5 years of architecture school done! Freedom! Yeah!" *, is well and truly the beginning of a long - loooooong - journey.

To give a bit of background, the last two years of my university education was sponsored by a Singapore landscape company, and in exchange I am bonded to work for the company for an equivalent period - two years.

The transition from school to work has been rather tough, the feeling akin to being plunged right away into the rapids after just having learned to swim. That's because my boss believes in the school of hands-on, hard knocks landscape architecture. Not only that, because of some circumstances within the company I've had the responsibility (and privilege) to do and learn about procurement, sales, project managing, programming irrigation, setting drainage, handling client complaints, down to planting the plants with my own two hands =D

Well, it's been hard. In fact, it's been quite a 'culture shock' and a gruelling period so much so I was feeling much overworked, burned out, lethargic and depressed. (In four months, mind you.. I had to keep asking myself whether I really am that weak and spoiled, and not able to take some hard knocks).

But, it has also been inspiring. I've learnt more interesting and useful things in these four months compared to my 16 months of landscape architecture master's course. (Not the least important: how to scold in Hokkien so contractors work fast for you >< ) It's been great fun even if I feel I lose out on other fun things in my life. And my comfort zone has been expanding, expanding, expanding...

Which brings me to the reason I am writing this blog. See, I've been feeling that I had to sacrifice a lot for work - hours upon hours of overtime, cancel all appointments if there's sudden work, working on weekends - and it makes me rather sad, really, especially since two years seem really long right now and I cannot wrap my mind around it. So, instead of thinking that I'm another overworked, underpaid worker, I'm going to try thinking like this: 'Oh wow, these two years in the company is the hands-on landscape course I've never had the chance to do in university *such is the system: big in theory, kinda lacking in practice* and I'm paid to do it!

Awesome, no? And this blog will chronicle all the things I learn as a starting, fledgling, struggling, green landscape architect (as in, inexperienced.. not green, as in, sustainable.. ok I know the joke is lame.. >< ).

Ah well, like Kermit the Frog said, 'It ain't easy being green.' (as in, it can mean both inexperienced and.. alright I shall stop my unnecessary explanations!)

Then again, let's hope it will get easier with time!