Here I go again.
It’s really difficult to ask yourself over and over again what you should really do with your life.
For the past years, I have always convinced myself that I was always meant to be a chemical engineer. Ever since I received my admission slip to UP Diliman, I willingly abandoned my childhood dream to become a medical doctor. I justified that it would be very hard for my parents to afford my education in medical school since tuition fees are sky high. My brother and I are both in college now, and my sister’s studying in a private school, so going to med school is really out of the question. And I never really liked having to deal with blood.
I decided to just stick with ChE, thinking there would be no harm in trying it out. They said that job opportunities are endless, both here and abroad. I even enjoyed other people’s reaction whenever they ask what degree program I’m taking. “Wow, bigtime!” “Ang hirap naman n’yan!”
But I learned that ChE is not for everyone - the hard way. I failed one major subject, then BOOM! I got delayed in the program by one year. It was hard for me because I was kind of in a point of no return. I’ve already taken more than half of the units required, which means that shifting out is really not a choice for me. You don’t know how happy I was for passing this subject after re-taking it. I really was at the verge of flunking, thank God I wasn’t delayed any further.
What seems to be the problem?
I’m not happy with my course anymore. I couldn’t see myself doing the regular stuff chemical engineers do… yet. Becoming a process engineer is a sure way to go but ugh. I don’t know. I just really don’t know if it’s really for me. After graduating and passing the board exam and looking for a job, I don’t know what’s next for me. My only motivation now is to just graduate and get the hell out of UP. And that just sucks.
I blame ABS-CBN’s documentary featuring the Philippine Biodiversity Expedition for triggering these thoughts. After seeing Atom’s feature segment in Anilao, Batangas, I wondered what I would be doing now if I took Biology as my major. This was further stimulated after watching Kara David’s documentary featured in I-Witness, entitled “Isang Daan at Isang Pawikan” which surveyed the state of our pawikans in their breeding sites all throughout Luzon. It just freaked me out that people do not feel any remorse after eating or selling the eggs of the pawikans. Oh, those poor unborn turtles…
Aside from taking biology, I already entertained the idea of shifting to Film. I used to borrow my friend’s Canon point-and-shoot camera and take candid shots. I guess that’s what really started my passion for photography. I was inspired to become a travel photographer after watching a couple of episodes of GMA News TV’s travel show “What I See” which is hosted by Paco Guerrero. And I always admired Renz Bulseco (thecyberniche) for pursuing the path of becoming a travel blogger.
I also want to become a chef! Haha. I like experimenting in the kitchen sometimes. The Korean drama “Kim Sam Soon” inspired me to become a pastry chef. My idol of course is renowned Filipino cake master Penk Ching. The mere thought of studying in Chef Boy Logro’s cooking school already excites me!
But for now, I’m stuck with ChemEngg. I guess I’ll just work hard to get that damn diploma. Then that’s the time I’ll figure out what to do with my life.
I’ll cross the bridge when I get there!
Happy 10, taba! 27 months ♥
I promise that you’ll be my only textmate (HAHAHA)
Looking forward to more pancakes with you!
I love you. :)
That obligatory Christmas-y post.
So, how’s your Christmas vacation so far?
Mine has been a pretty good one, I suppose. I’m the type that really just likes to stay at home, watching re-runs of American TV series and rolling in the bed. So basically, I just stayed home with my siblings. We watched TV all day and depleted our holiday supply of food. Fun.
I’m actually having a hard time doing the exercise program my PE teacher required us to do during the break. It would start with warm-up exercises of jumping jacks and running knee-high, followed by a set of stretches including Indian curls, then the main workout consisting of push-ups, squats, bent-knee sit-ups and lunges, plus a 15-minute brisk walking, and finally ending with tapering down. Yes, she said we had to do it every-frickin’-day.
The increasing repetitions makes this workout increasingly unbearable. We’re required to take note of our heart rates, so I guess I have to some interpolation and hocus-pocus. Hehe.
Christmas Day was okay. I attended mass (after 10 years) with the whole family. Then we headed to our paternal grandparents’ for the annual reunion. We left for a while to visit my mother’s relatives, then we came back. Thinking of all the calories I consumed that day makes me wanna cry. Kidding.
I have not yet started studying for our exam in ChE 131 (Transport Phenomena). And I still have to go to the Metropolitan Museum to view the Suite Vollard collection of Pablo Picasso for my Creative Writing class.
New Year’s eve is fast-approaching. Forget those bullshitty resolutions. If you want to be a better person, do it now! Hope for the best, and keep moving forward.
Kiss 2011 goodbye, and welcome 2012 not with a fizzle, but with a BANG! An advanced happy new year, mi amigos!
Sick.
The start of this semester has been pretty much uninspiring. Going to school has become a chore, and the only thing I’ve enjoyed so far are being a part of the CSIW 2011 Core committee and my occasional visits to Colleen’s boarding house along Tandang Sora. A reason to celebrate is the approval of our event’s working theme and the brochure design that I did until three o’clock in the morning.
Now, both of us are sick. Well, I’m kind of recovering from the good ol’ colds and cough. But Colleen’s condition aggravated that her mother needed to fly from Butuan City to assist her needs. She’s now being admitted to a hospital in Pasig City. She experienced pain in the hips that radiated downwards to her thighs. I really hope that the doctors could properly diagnose her condition right away, and that she gets well soon.
Uhh.. I need some sunshine.
Vacant TTh is vacant.
I’m done enlisting my subjects. 18 units, including 3 bloody units of Bio 1, my first ever MST. Now all I have to do is claim my printed registration form, wait for my mother to find money to enroll me this semester, and I’m good to go.
This schedule actually looks clean and amazing. But it sucks eggs.
My plans for taking 6 units of Anthropology were mercilessly derailed by my adviser. I was seriously disappointed. It totally defeated the purpose of self-advising! But the harm has been done, and all I have to do is fucking deal with it.
I promise to study hard and bring home the bacon.
Agua de Mayo
Since this tumblog has been experiencing drought from sensible text posts for the past few weeks, here I am struggling to type in the dark lobby of our dorm while continually evading the endless attacks of mosquitoes, just to make an update. And it’s around one o’clock in the morning (it’s alright, my class starts at 11AM).
I did not expect that I would enjoy my summer class. I’m currently taking Social Science II (Social, Economic and Political Thought) where we discuss the great political thinkers such as Plato, Aristotle, Niccolo Machiavelli, John Locke, etc. Fortunately, we got a cool instructor. Oh yeah.
This is the sole course that I’m taking for the summer term (a load of 3.0 units). I opted not to take other courses that would require heavy reading since SocSci II would seamlessly fit to that category. I also tried to get into a PE class (I tried enlisting in Weight Training and Ultimate Frisbee), but to no avail. Good thing Sherwin was generous enough to let me borrow his external hard drive. Hooray for lots of movies to kill idle time! :)
Last week was the advanced registration for freshmen in UP Diliman, so I helped out in the blockhandling chores of ARISE and ALCHEMES. A little bit tiring but quite fulfilling nonetheless.
The ARISE Core Team was convened in our first ever assembly. I got to meet new faces from Engineering, aside from those that I got acquainted with in our PlanSem in Nueva Ecija. It was supposed to be held in Kenny Roger’s Katipunan, but change of plans brought us to *drumroll* Jollibee. >:D
From time to time, I am also visiting Colleen at her boarding house in Pook Ricarte, along Tandang Sora. You know, just chatting and chilling out. I’m currently into movies right now, so we watched Fireproof (unpolished script, amateur actors, but it has this sincerity with it, got me crying in the last parts) and 500 Days of Summer (nice concept and awesome shots!). I also helped out once in cooking their dinner: sweet ham.
The lunch schedule in our dorm almost coincides with my class, so I just go to my classroom around thirty minutes before our class starts. I developed a habit of buying pandesal filled with ham and egg, plus drinks, in one of the stalls located in front of the Faculty Center. Just enough to fill my empty stomach. Then I’ll just read about the political thinker to be discussed while sitting on the hallway, just in front of PH 224.
The weather sure is fickle this summer. There were extremely hot days (outside temperature even reached 36.5 degrees Celsius!) and then came rainy days brought about by typhoon Bebeng. I went home to Cavite last weekend, and it was raining the whole freaking time. I spent most of my weekend watching movies in my laptop. I was able to watch the Hollywood versions of The Grudge 1-3. My brother and I watched Phobia (Thai) and Perfume: Story of a Murderer (nice cinematography and storyline, I should say). The movie experience was better since we had a subwoofer at home. \m/ I love being home since there’s instant access to fruits and more wholesome food. :D
Half of my barkada already had graduating status in their CRS accounts. Those bitches! Anyways, we kind of had a mini-reunion at my dorm. After dinner, we bought ice cream at the Shopping Center. You should try the Melona ice drops sold in Mashiita, only Php30 each. :)
Our group had a chance to talk in the kiosk in front of Molave. When the others already went inside, Mharren, Colleen and I were left to chat with Jed. We discussed the death of his love life and his recent endeavors with other girls. One notable quote from Jed: “Para kang nagalit sa laruan dahil nasira siya mag-isa.”
We decided to walk around the Acad Oval, stayed a while in front of the University Avenue, laughed at our jokes, until we were instructed by Manong Security to leave the spot. Us boys accompanied Colleen to her boarding house, then already went to our respective dorms.
Basically, that’s how my life in UP was for the past four weeks.
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I’d like to end this lengthy post with a catchphrase I learned from VJ Sarah Meier:
Shabba!
How to Meditate
Like anything worthwhile, meditation requires practice. To get the most from meditation you need to do it every day. This requires a place and time where you will not be disturbed.
- Sit with a straight back. Don’t try to meditate lying down because you are likely to fall asleep. Meditation brings relaxation and peace but at the same time this is a dynamic peace. Meditation is quite different than the relaxation of sleep. When we really meditate, we are fully alert and conscious. Our sense of awareness is heightened. Afterwards you’ll have a positive feeling for the world and a renewed sense of dynamism.
- Don’t eat before meditating. After a heavy meal your body will be lethargic with digestion.
- It is not necessary to mediate in the lotus posture. It is fine to meditate in a chair, as long as the back is straight.
- It is helpful to take a shower before meditating.
- Burning incense and having a candle are not necessary, but they can add a little extra inspiration.
- It is good to meditate early in the morning. It is said the best time is 3am, although, I feel it is more important to be awake and not sleepy.
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Posting for future reference. Also for others who might want to start meditation.
I think I should start meditating to get rid of all the clutter in my mind. These past few months really rattled me. I want to get back on track, be more focused and achieve my goals.
Wooot! It’s been a while since I last posted. I’ll update you later! :)
(Source: pickthebrain.com)
I got a copy of the first season of Dream High, a Korean series set in the fictional Kirin Art School. My brother got hooked into a series for the first time! (aside from anime series :D) I already watched several episodes and I think the actors are good.
My goal is to finish this before we fly to Iloilo. Wooo! 6 days before CAMP 2011! :)
The Rose Tattoo
Back in highschool, we were made to draw lots to know which novel would be assigned to us for the book review, a major requirement for our junior English Literature class.
I picked The Rose Tattoo.
I did not have the slightest idea what it was. It was only accompanied by the name of its author, Tennessee Williams, whom I have not even heard of. How could I write an effective book review if I don’t even know where I could get a copy of it? The title was obscure, and attempting to search for it in the corners of Recto would have been a nightmare for me.
Good thing the teacher was considerate enough to have it replaced with another novel. We were assigned to review The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas. My partner and I (yes, we did it in pairs) were pleased. The road to the book review’s completion was not an easy one, but I think we were able to produce a decent one.
After more than four years, I’m now pondering on what could have happened if we pursued our original title.
Since I’m now more acquainted with the Internet, I searched the title on Google. I read the overview in Amazon.com, and I kind of wished that I should have just braved all the bookstores (and maybe the Internet, too) to look for this book. But I doubt if I would have been able to grasp the whole story if I read it when I was still 14 years old.
Maybe I should find a copy of it in the future. That would be nice.
Oh, here’s an introduction from Bookrags.com.
