Master


I have decided. Yesterday I went to Graduate School to get an application form for master's degree. It's the last day of submission of applications but they extended it till next week. The requirements are easy to comply than what I thought and I just need two recommendations. I'm going to take MS Environmental Science.

A week earlier, my undergrad thesis adviser told me to consider getting a scholarship from DOST and he mentioned it again yesterday with my boss listening. My boss was somewhat approving though it would mean I'll resign from my job because the scholarship is for full-time students. The scholarship package -- the stipend, book allowance, travel allowance -- is comparable to an entry level job for a fresh grad. Not bad.

I have been wanting a change in my current career situation and this decision will hopefully stir things up for me. This would also mean I'll be staying in the Philippines for another four years.

I'm happy I made an important decision before January ended. Tomorrow's February 1. What I'm looking forward right now is a break from my 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM routine.

'09

The 19-day break is almost over and when I woke up yesterday it's 2009. Now I feel like I'm in the middle of nowhere. I'm 26 and this year I'm going to be 27 and it scares the hell out of me! Technically, I'm jobless right now because my job contract ended last December 31. I still have to report to work though, with no pay, until the research study where I am involved gets adequate funding. Who knows when will it be?!

It's hard when you are single, you are professional, and you are penniless. There's a lot that I wanna do but I hold back because I I'm afraid to make wrong decisions and I am so limited. I'm caught between the reality of today and the uncertainty of tomorrow. Why does it have to be this hard?

I want a clean slate! I ought to have a new job. A stable one. A job where I will be properly compensated -- at the right time and with corresponding benefits. One that will allow me to grow professionally and will bring out my full potential. I want a job where I can see myself doing for another 10 years. I'm tired of "stepping-stones."

This is going to be my first major decision this 2009 and I should be able to put things together by the end of January. Time to get a good focus and be decisive.