Gathered Thoughts

The Lost (Graduate) Student

Today, I just claimed my same old brand new school I.D. from the university registrar:

About two weeks ago while I was in Hong Kong, I accidentally dropped my bag with its zipper open.  So go figure.  Apparently, I missed picking up one of its contents — my old (graduate) school I.D. — which I only found out after two days when I was in Manila already!  Kaya lost I.D. kung lost I.D. talaga! x_x

Of course I had to request for a new one (with my old picture and signature), which cost me almost Php700!  I know, I know.  I could’ve avoided spending Php595 for my I.D. and another Php100 for an affidavit of loss if I hadn’t dropped my bag just like that!  Tsk.  That’s why it took me a lot of convincing if it was still worth it to get a new school I.D…

…which brings me back to GRADUATE SCHOOL itself!

For yearssss (and I’m not exaggerating the “s”), I’ve been trying to finish my Master’s Degree.  No, I’m NOT failing.  In fact, if there’s one thing I’m proud of, it’s that I’m already done with my coursework — and I’m happy to say that I passed all my subjects!  Yay!!!

The reason why I’ve been delayed is because of TIME.  Aside from the fact that I never had a “full load” academic term, my laziness gets in the way of it all!  Hahaha!  But seriously, when I had my first full-time job, I just suddenly found myself enrolling in ONE ACADEMIC TERM per year.  Hence the delay.  And hey, it wasn’t easy to juggle work and (graduate) school!  Period.

Still, I was able to take (and pass!) all my subjects.  So now, I’m left with only two things: COMPREHENSIVE EXAM + THESIS!  Not so easy to be a “master” now, eh? @_@

And since I’m also unemployed as of press time (haha!), I’ve no choice but push through with my comprehensive exam.  I still have to pass certain documents to be permitted to take the exam NEXT WEEK (!), but yeah…

some of the (essential) documents in graduate school! harharhar.

As for my thesis, I’ve always thought of it as “a bridge I’ll cross when I get there.” The problem is, I’m already thisclose to THAT bridge and I still don’t have any idea what to do with it!!! 😦

Okay, one of my professors suggested that I do something about diplomatic history…  which I readily obliged last year (my “ONE ACADEMIC TERM per year” in 2011:

THESIS it? I’m not bloody sure!!!

That was the paper I did in one of my subjects — Historical Methodologies — which was supposed to “prepare” me for thesis writing.  Unfortunately, my fickleness is kicking in again and now I’m not sure if I still want to go with South Korea…  Waaahh!

But like I said, I’m currently unemployed.  And that really doesn’t give me any choice…  So my battle plan is to use TIME itself again.  If “time” is what delayed me, I think that it’ll also be the one to help me.  How?  By doing it ONE STEP AT A TIME.  So this term, I have to deal with my comprehensive exam first! 🙂

Having said that, maybe I’m not a lost student after all…

Maybe I’m more like a wonder wander student!  Wahahahaha! And as J.R.R. Tolkien put it,

“Not all those who wander are lost.”

And right now, holding on to those words is good enough for me.  So help me God! 😉

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Gathered Thoughts

Hyped Up?

The Royal Wedding.  The Starbucks planner.  Manny Pacquiao‘s fights.  The latest iPhone.  One thing they ALL have in common?  They’ve all been the hype at one point in time.

I just recently contemplated whether or not to get an iPhone.  But the thing is, I’m really “practical” when it comes to gadgets.  Most of my gadgets and I have very looong “relationships.”  My laptop has been with me for almost four years.  My iPod for two years.  My phone for almost four years as well.  And my Globe number?  For SEVEN YEARS (and counting; I’m actually aiming for a decade!!!)  And yes, they’re all in PERFECT CONDITION.  I know, right?  Kung boyfriend lang sana sila, engaged or kasal na sana ako ngayon!  Wahahahaha!

Going back to my iPhone dilemma, the thought of getting one just randomly popped into mind one day…  Why?  Sure you can blame it on the hype once again.  Sure you can you say that Steve Jobs has been inspiring me from the moment I read his authorized biography (speaking of which, I still owe you a book review — but that’s another blog entry.)  But the thing that bothered me most was when my friend told me that it all comes down to my “PURPOSE,” and the only words I had in return were “REED JOBS.”  Toink!  Toink!!  Toink!!!  If you’ve read some of my previous posts, you’ll notice that I’ve been OBSESSED with the “Prince of Apple” for quite some time now — hence the answer = the purpose.  I didn’t even care about the hype nor the functions of the iPhone.  Heck, I didn’t even bother about the model — 3G S, 4, or 4S!  The only thing that mattered to me was my “hallucination” that if I purchased ANY Apple product, I’d instantly have some sort of connection with the Apple Prince!!!  Waahhh — another round of baliw-baliwan madness!  I seriously need to see a shrink NOW!  Hahaha!

But then again, I’m thankful for that conversation I had with my friend.  Because if it weren’t for him, I would’ve taken my still-functional phone for granted.  That’s right.  Unfortunately, I really “overwork” my gadgets to the point that I DON’T replace them until they give up on me.  Besides, I realized that when you’re going to “level up,” might as well live up to it.  Ganito lang ‘yan eh.  Naka-iPhone ka nga, nag-jeejeep ka naman.  Naka-designer bag ka nga, ang daanan mo naman palagi ay prone to snatchers.  Yadda, yadda, yadda.  You get the picture.  I’d rather work on my parking skills first (and save up for GAS!), and put aside some moolah for my upcoming travels!  Yebah!!!

So for now, the iPhone CAN wait. 😉

Bottomline is, instead of “giving in” to whatever hype, think of your “PURPOSE” first — and contemplate whether or not your purpose is PRACTICAL, ETHICAL, and sometimes, like in my “Reed Jobs” case, LOGICAL! =))  And to quote my favorite blogger, Patty Laurel:

Instead of spending your time and money on things, spend it on experiences.

Life experiences are priceless.  You can never ever put a price tag on these precious moments.  Whether it’s a mid-afternoon conversation about unconditional love with your lola, the most amazing chocolate cake with hot caramel sauce baked by your tita, or seeing Vincent Van Gogh’s Starry Night up close and personal…  kung ang pinag-uusapan ay experience, something that involves the five senses…  GO!  DO IT!  Taste it, feel it, see it, listen to it, smell it!  Do not stop yourself from trying something new or from rediscovering something old.  Ang kotse nabubulok, ang iPad nalalaos.  But memories will live forever!  Oh yeah, sounds very Hallmarky! :)”

Yeah, what Patty Laurel said. 😀  Besides, sigurado naman akong magkakaron ng iPhone 10S eh, so what’s with the hurry?  In the works na nga ang iPhone 5 eh!  HA HA HA

Definitely hyped “down,”
Mika Jobseste, Chiong pala! 😛

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