At last, exams are over! Now I have at least a week before my school starts sending out our overall results (and see how “well” we did for this semester). Hopefully I won’t be retaking any subjects.
Anyhow…I finally received all the promised packages of alternative prizes from Google (about time). On my previous post last 4 months ago, after my supposed trip to Google got cancelled because of the virus, Google then arranged to give the winners alternative prizes instead, which include cash and swags. And so, after months of waiting, all the long-awaited packages are finally here at my doorstep, fresh from America.
The “Alternative” for the Trip
Ever since the winners received the cancellation email, Google informed us that they will be sending out alternative prizes instead. I guess this temporarily pacified our broken hearts, as we wait in anticipation what those prizes could be. When I did receive the details of the alternative prize, I must say that I had a so-so feeling about it. It’s not bad, but it doesn’t really replace the lost trip (I mean, what would?). It did, however, gave me another thing to look forward to, plus, in an attempt to cheer myself up, I made myself think that not all 17-year olds receive this kind of stuffs, especially in a time like this.
And so, from April till August, are the packages delivery months. This was my “please-don’t-get-my-package-lost-it’s-all-I-have-now” kind of phase.
Coronavirus played another part in delivering the packages (obviously). It’s the reason why it took months to deliver the items, and why I’m referring to “packages” (plural), and not “package” (singular). The packages (three in all), are delivered separately as there was some problems with delivery here and there. Also, we were supposed to be given a new phone as one of the alternative prizes, but since there is a very high possibility that it will not be delivered as planned, they decided to exchange it with the phone’s money value instead. Oh well, I guess what can go wrong, will go wrong.
Way to go, Coronavirus.
Although I like all the swags delivered, my favourites are the thermos, fleece and trophy. My old water bottle is getting its paint chipped off, and it’s about time I have my own thermos. Meanwhile, the fleece is so comfy for wear! I would wear it at home if it weren’t this hot. I guess I’ll just use it for school during long hours of lecture in a freezing classroom.
Lastly, the trophy! It’s my first time having a trophy instead of the usual certificate or rusting medals. The first time the trophy was displayed, I often stare back at it, just to observe it (and probably reminisce the past days on how I earned it).
Googler Speaker Sessions: Another Alternative Prize
Aside from the alternative prizes, we were also given a two-day virtual seminar from Googlers. The topics for the talk include open source, internship, augmented reality, Android, and more. Although I have to stay awake from 11pm to 3am because of time zones, the talks had been interesting, with internship, augmented reality and TensorFlow being my favourite.
On the actual trip, we were supposed to have a “day at Google” as part of our agenda, where we get to listen to Googler’s work experience and what other opportunities we can get. I guess this is the only part of the trip that they can recreate.
The talk had been fun, as aside from it being aligned with my interests, me and my fellow Grand Prize Winners finally had a face and voice reveal and we were also chatting in Telegram during the talk. On the last day of the talk, there was a section for volunteered winners to make a speech. It had been a rather sad part of the talk, as it felt like we were “parting ways” (and I guess it reminded us again that we should’ve been speaking in an air-conditioned, Google hall or something).
This wraps up the whole Google Code-In business. It had been fun and sad at the same time, but I don’t regret being a part of it. After all, the contest had officially ended on January 2020 (which means, this is the last Google Code-In contest), and I am blessed to be announced as a winner even if it didn’t go as I imagined it.
Besides, there are other ways to go to Google 😉
Notes & Codes 