When I picked up my toga from school today, I noticed the roving clinic parked right in the same spot where I first saw it. You see, if you're an incoming NTU student, you have to take your X-ray exam in this van. I wish I brought my crappy camera with me to give you an idea. Alas, my cheap Nokia doesn't even have a cam.
Anyway, my point is, when I saw the van it got me all nostalgic. It's been a year since I last saw it, and now, I'm two weeks away from convocation; in two days, I'm going back to working full time. I know I've been getting nostalgic and have been blogging about it several times. But please, indulge me, for that's just the way I really am.
Before I left school, I dropped off a couple of books in my prof's mailboxes. In spite of what has recently happened, I still believe in the goodness of people. Life is short; we should spend it showing the people we love how important they are to us.
CG and APH, I hope you enjoy those books as much as I did. You guys were the best.
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Showing posts with label school. Show all posts
Friday, July 16, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
A matter of time
My friend LJ is still jobhunting. We've been chatting on FB on and off for the past couple of months, and I can tell he's getting terribly frustrated.
Listen to the song, dude. Come to think of it, I should listen as well.
Nothing's permanent. The most intense emotions--anger, frustration-- are very fleeting. The fact that they're intense makes them such. What we're going through now, it will soon come to pass.
Listen to the song, dude. Come to think of it, I should listen as well.
Nothing's permanent. The most intense emotions--anger, frustration-- are very fleeting. The fact that they're intense makes them such. What we're going through now, it will soon come to pass.
And it's back!
There was something I heard recently that really broke my heart. I read somewhere that we grow up believing that as we grow older, our circle of friends grows larger. The past couple of months, I saw some friendships destroyed. And I'm writing off another person tonight.
I'd like to pretend I'm okay. I thought I'll be okay after days of window shopping, mixing and matching clothes, and walking from one end of Orchard Road to another.I am not. It took one e-mail from my friend A and a chat with my former thesis partner M to make me realize that I'm not. I had a crying jag in front of my laptop; for several minutes I couldn't even type, and only M could do was wait until I could continue.
I feel betrayed. I actually thought this person was a friend. But friends don't rat on you. And if they do, well, that makes them a rat.
I missed this blog. This was a journal of the year I spent here in Singapore. I decided to open it because I don't give a fuck anymore.
From now on, I maintain, I do not know you. I am supremely disgusted with myself.
I'd like to pretend I'm okay. I thought I'll be okay after days of window shopping, mixing and matching clothes, and walking from one end of Orchard Road to another.I am not. It took one e-mail from my friend A and a chat with my former thesis partner M to make me realize that I'm not. I had a crying jag in front of my laptop; for several minutes I couldn't even type, and only M could do was wait until I could continue.
I feel betrayed. I actually thought this person was a friend. But friends don't rat on you. And if they do, well, that makes them a rat.
I missed this blog. This was a journal of the year I spent here in Singapore. I decided to open it because I don't give a fuck anymore.
From now on, I maintain, I do not know you. I am supremely disgusted with myself.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Life's a Beach
Spent Saturday at the beach with M, talking about random things, looking at a couple of white men trying to get a tan, stuffing ourselves with wedges and basically just bumming around. Wish I brought the camera with me. The beach wasn't as good as the one in Coron, Palawan, but it will do.
W said she didn't enjoy this semester as much as the first one. I love this sem. The classes weren't as interesting as they used to be, but this time I learned more about life, love, friends, music, and film. Made a couple of mistakes, especially in maintaining friendships, but I think I'll be fine. And she would be, too.
It's just that I have a strange talent for shooting myself in the foot. I always end up being misinterpreted. I shot my foot again this morning. My god. But hey, at least I learned. My god. What a sem.
I used to regret not studying in Japan. But yesterday, staring at the water, I have no regrets at all.
W said she didn't enjoy this semester as much as the first one. I love this sem. The classes weren't as interesting as they used to be, but this time I learned more about life, love, friends, music, and film. Made a couple of mistakes, especially in maintaining friendships, but I think I'll be fine. And she would be, too.
It's just that I have a strange talent for shooting myself in the foot. I always end up being misinterpreted. I shot my foot again this morning. My god. But hey, at least I learned. My god. What a sem.
I used to regret not studying in Japan. But yesterday, staring at the water, I have no regrets at all.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Getting That Scholarship
As long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to study abroad. I felt the desire to do this when I was still in UP, where I was taught by professors who studied in the world’s best universities: Columbia U, Nanyang, Cambridge, Australian National University, and Tokyo University. While I have great memories of UP, I always wondered how it was to study somewhere else. I knew that studying abroad would broaden my perspective and appreciate other cultures, and of course, improve my resume.
There was just one problem though: money. Lest my dad gets all riled up, let me clarify that we’re not poor. I led and continue to lead, a very comfortable middle class existence. Money was never short. Yet, it was never enough to send me abroad. If this were the 1960’s when the peso was really strong, my dad would have. But the peso is now practically worthless, which makes studying abroad so ridiculously expensive it’s an option open only to the Ayalas of this country.
If I wanted to study abroad, I would have to get a scholarship. Not bursaries, which are mere tuition discounts, but full scholarships. The free ride. As in free tuition and stipend. As in almost impossible.
But, impossible is just a current state of affairs. The future will be different, only if you work at it.
And that’s what I did. I really worked at it. I studied hard in college so I can graduate cum laude, at the very least. I looked for jobs that I would be proud to put on my resume. I scoured the internet to look and apply for scholarships. Some people say you should plan your life. I used to have a plan. My original plan was to work for two years, then do my masters. That was the plan. But life had a lot of things in store for me.
I couldn’t get a scholarship. (Lesson number one: Don’t plan your life. It’s pointless.) I tried two schools in Canada and one in the States. I was rejected in every one of them. For every rejection that I got, I was broken hearted. It really feels like shit to have your dreams smash into pieces, and mine was smashed three times.
After the third rejection, I decided to give it a break. During that time, I was enjoying working for YES! and I didn’t see myself leaving any time soon. But my dream, a nebulous dream somebody told me, would never die. After a year, I gave it another go. This time, I got it right. I was offered two scholarships: one in Japan and another in Singapore. With luck, timing, and persistence, I finally got it right.
A Summit girl asked me how I got a scholarship. I wanted to tell her that the stars aligned to make it possible for me, that I wanted it so bad the universe conspired to give it to me. It’s an answer straight out of “The Secret,” and may sound a little lame. Instead, I asked two friends for some tips on how you can get a scholarship.
Check all your options
My friend Jan, a recipient of the ASEAN Graduate Scholarship, offers this advice: “Google is your friend. Research, research, research. Learn as much as you can about scholarships for which you can apply.” Start by checking the websites of foreign embassies in the Philippines. You can also check the websites of the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, both of which offer scholarships for development-oriented postgraduate studies. Check the British Council’s website regarding the Chevening Scholarship. If you want to do your postgraduate in the US, check Philippine American Educational Foundation website for the Fulbright Scholarships. Keep in mind though that these two are the toughest to get. My friend Loit, who’s now studying at the National University of Singapore, suggests that you start first in Asia, like in Japan, Hong Kong, or Singapore. Once you get an MA in those countries, you’ll have a better chance to go to the big league. Also, choose the MA degree you really want to pursue, because this would determine your career path and specialization. Unlike in your undergraduate years, you no longer have a parent to answer to, so this should be easier for you.
Don't forget your profs
Jan suggests that you keep in touch with your former professors, even after college graduation. Most universities prefer to get academic references. I’m really thankful that my former professors, like Wendell Capili, Victor Avecilla, and Pearl Manalili, never gave up on me and have always been supportive. They always found time to write my recommendations, even if they were swamped with work.
Write a brilliant essay
You only get one chance to write that application essay, so write it very, very well. “Think about your motivations and goals for graduate study, and how the program/school of your choice fits your plans. Be as specific as you can about what you want to do with the education you'll be getting for free,” suggests Jan. “Explain also why you are a good fit for the program/school. Sell yourself. In my honest opinion, it would really help if there's an element of altruism thrown into your app essay. Scholarship committees are big on applicants who want to give back to society. Of course, I'm not saying that you should make up a desire to give back when there's none.” Most scholarship providers, like the ADB and the World Bank, prefer applicants who want to return to their native countries after graduation. So tell them you have every intention to return—but only if you really want to, okay?
Choose a good thesis proposal
If you’re required to write a research proposal, come up with a topic with results that would benefit both the Philippines and the country which you plan to study in. For my proposal to a Japanese university, I proposed a study on the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, which would bring Pinoy nurses to Japan. Loit, who also applied to that school, proposed a study of the Bureau of Customs practices and whether they follow the Kyoto Convention. Be aware of current events, because they’re usually the ones that would make great thesis proposals.
Plan your finances
Make sure you have enough money for the application process. Applying to universities costs quite a lot. You have to pay for the TOEFL, the GMAT, and the GRE—exams that are required by many graduate schools. A lot of schools also ask for an application fee, ranging from P800-P2,500. You also have to pay for copies of your TOR, diploma, and other documents from your previous university. And when you get that scholarship, you usually need to bring some cash to tide you over until you get your stipend.
The most important thing though is not to give up. Like a friend told me, it’s all about timing. If you don’t get it today, feel free to wallow in misery. Give it a week, get over it, and take another shot. If you want it really bad, the universe will give it to you.
There was just one problem though: money. Lest my dad gets all riled up, let me clarify that we’re not poor. I led and continue to lead, a very comfortable middle class existence. Money was never short. Yet, it was never enough to send me abroad. If this were the 1960’s when the peso was really strong, my dad would have. But the peso is now practically worthless, which makes studying abroad so ridiculously expensive it’s an option open only to the Ayalas of this country.
If I wanted to study abroad, I would have to get a scholarship. Not bursaries, which are mere tuition discounts, but full scholarships. The free ride. As in free tuition and stipend. As in almost impossible.
But, impossible is just a current state of affairs. The future will be different, only if you work at it.
And that’s what I did. I really worked at it. I studied hard in college so I can graduate cum laude, at the very least. I looked for jobs that I would be proud to put on my resume. I scoured the internet to look and apply for scholarships. Some people say you should plan your life. I used to have a plan. My original plan was to work for two years, then do my masters. That was the plan. But life had a lot of things in store for me.
I couldn’t get a scholarship. (Lesson number one: Don’t plan your life. It’s pointless.) I tried two schools in Canada and one in the States. I was rejected in every one of them. For every rejection that I got, I was broken hearted. It really feels like shit to have your dreams smash into pieces, and mine was smashed three times.
After the third rejection, I decided to give it a break. During that time, I was enjoying working for YES! and I didn’t see myself leaving any time soon. But my dream, a nebulous dream somebody told me, would never die. After a year, I gave it another go. This time, I got it right. I was offered two scholarships: one in Japan and another in Singapore. With luck, timing, and persistence, I finally got it right.
A Summit girl asked me how I got a scholarship. I wanted to tell her that the stars aligned to make it possible for me, that I wanted it so bad the universe conspired to give it to me. It’s an answer straight out of “The Secret,” and may sound a little lame. Instead, I asked two friends for some tips on how you can get a scholarship.
Check all your options
My friend Jan, a recipient of the ASEAN Graduate Scholarship, offers this advice: “Google is your friend. Research, research, research. Learn as much as you can about scholarships for which you can apply.” Start by checking the websites of foreign embassies in the Philippines. You can also check the websites of the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, both of which offer scholarships for development-oriented postgraduate studies. Check the British Council’s website regarding the Chevening Scholarship. If you want to do your postgraduate in the US, check Philippine American Educational Foundation website for the Fulbright Scholarships. Keep in mind though that these two are the toughest to get. My friend Loit, who’s now studying at the National University of Singapore, suggests that you start first in Asia, like in Japan, Hong Kong, or Singapore. Once you get an MA in those countries, you’ll have a better chance to go to the big league. Also, choose the MA degree you really want to pursue, because this would determine your career path and specialization. Unlike in your undergraduate years, you no longer have a parent to answer to, so this should be easier for you.
Don't forget your profs
Jan suggests that you keep in touch with your former professors, even after college graduation. Most universities prefer to get academic references. I’m really thankful that my former professors, like Wendell Capili, Victor Avecilla, and Pearl Manalili, never gave up on me and have always been supportive. They always found time to write my recommendations, even if they were swamped with work.
Write a brilliant essay
You only get one chance to write that application essay, so write it very, very well. “Think about your motivations and goals for graduate study, and how the program/school of your choice fits your plans. Be as specific as you can about what you want to do with the education you'll be getting for free,” suggests Jan. “Explain also why you are a good fit for the program/school. Sell yourself. In my honest opinion, it would really help if there's an element of altruism thrown into your app essay. Scholarship committees are big on applicants who want to give back to society. Of course, I'm not saying that you should make up a desire to give back when there's none.” Most scholarship providers, like the ADB and the World Bank, prefer applicants who want to return to their native countries after graduation. So tell them you have every intention to return—but only if you really want to, okay?
Choose a good thesis proposal
If you’re required to write a research proposal, come up with a topic with results that would benefit both the Philippines and the country which you plan to study in. For my proposal to a Japanese university, I proposed a study on the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement, which would bring Pinoy nurses to Japan. Loit, who also applied to that school, proposed a study of the Bureau of Customs practices and whether they follow the Kyoto Convention. Be aware of current events, because they’re usually the ones that would make great thesis proposals.
Plan your finances
Make sure you have enough money for the application process. Applying to universities costs quite a lot. You have to pay for the TOEFL, the GMAT, and the GRE—exams that are required by many graduate schools. A lot of schools also ask for an application fee, ranging from P800-P2,500. You also have to pay for copies of your TOR, diploma, and other documents from your previous university. And when you get that scholarship, you usually need to bring some cash to tide you over until you get your stipend.
The most important thing though is not to give up. Like a friend told me, it’s all about timing. If you don’t get it today, feel free to wallow in misery. Give it a week, get over it, and take another shot. If you want it really bad, the universe will give it to you.
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