Tokyo Cafe

Tokyo Cafe

SM North EDSA (The Block)

August 6, 2009

Finally! Creamy Shrimp Ebiko Pasta, Gyoza Burger, Vanilla Milkshake, and a coffee with ice cream (some coffee specialty). Love it!

Shei and Kate on a food trip!

First Starbucks Session

Honey-glazed doughnut and mint tea: Starbucks in Matalino Street

I like that place! One of the few Starbucks shops that I like (what other branch do I like, by the way?). Relaxed ambiance, peaceful, conducive for studying, no unnecessary perkiness, no stress (except for my own studying to do). It feels like a coffee shop, and not a gimmick place. Nice.

I would have wanted to go there again tonight to study (and I'm not even fond of studying in an expensive place because of budget constraints), but it's already late and I won't be getting the best value out of a cup of tea if I went there at this time, and somebody demanding me to go home by 11:30 PM.

Now, an update, musts/deadlines for the week:
- 201hw/231ps discussion (Wed, AM)
- 202 make-up class (Wed, 1-6 PM)
- 201 homework (Thu)
- 231 problem set (Thu)
- 206 group study (Fri, AM)
- 206 problem set (Sat, AM)
- 206 exam (Sat, AM)

What a week!

A Bad Day for Headache

The road between the main mall and the old SM Cyberzone building, now closed, but with the carpark still operational.

I was there yesterday to buy a chair so I could properly study, not slumped on my bed, which is very conducive for sleeping and net surfing instead.

So now, I should be studying, right?

*** Post title is such because I had a headache yesterday, which did not subside after a single dose of the common paracetamol, so I needed another 500 mg after three hours. That was unusual, as a single table usually works for me. A really bad time for headache, especially with a homework due tomorrow, problem sets due on Thursday and Friday, an exam on Saturday, an exam on the following Wednesday, and a day-long (six hours, actually) lecture this Wednesday (a holiday).

I SHOULD NOW BE STUDYING! Good luck!

Graduate School Updates

Life: MA life

When I am not in front of my computer, I wanted to write about things on MA and my life. I guess now's not the right time for such "reflections." Just an update. And some insights, perhaps.

Seven weeks to go before finals week. We haven't even had a single midterm examination yet. The first fury of the exam will land on our paths on Saturday, August 22 for our math econ class. Followed by the stat exam on August 26. Then macro and micro, whichever comes first.

I wish to say that I am doing great. I hope I am. Even "okay." I really want to think that way.

Recap: I'm having a difficult time with graduate school

To say that it is not easy is an understatement. It's not just a test of intellectual capacity. It is more of a challenge to learn all "those" things in a short span of time with tons of exercises, problem sets and homeworks to do. "Those" things being lessons that really require a student to not just read articles or books, but to sit down and work out what really they were saying, how and why and whatever else that would matter. Too much for my impatience.

Yet, I find comfort that I still find it exciting. Even if the downside means that I am now somehow accustomed to a staggered pattern of sleeping -- take a "nap" when I get home (after preparing some food or having a snack), then eat dinner when I wake up, then study (or pretend at least), and then sleep again. The good thing from this bad exercise is that it is now becoming a habit to get out of the bed early enough to get to class on time (or maybe just 5 minutes late) and still have time for breakfast.

Graduate school is difficult that I sometimes doubt I'd survive it. Fortunately, we have a professor who gives me hope that I'd survive. It is a compliment that she finds my work "neat." I do not really know what she means by that, but hey, it is a good thing that she likes how I do my work. Even if I am sometimes lost to the intuition behind what I am writing. And, add a bonus that she thinks I could survive learning the dynamic models. I hope so!

But then, that's some pressure to really do good. Honestly, I do not feel I know enough to pass her class. Then, she learned of my grade in her undergraduate class! That was a class during my second year in college, during a time when I was more hardworking, my mind more active, my math fresher, and when a 17-unit load was easy and I still had time for a social life. No, make that social lives between the econ building, math building, manila, and zambales.

Now, I am missing some social life. My MA life is my social life. Yet, still thrilled with it. Great people in my class! I am fortunate to have met them, really. I'm loving my time with them, and some (classroom) chats with professors, too.

I am missing some other things, too. I miss that someone I love (but which the MA program really is of little consequence to that situation). I miss using my camera, even before I have even got to learn how to use it effectively. I miss going out of towns, even on a rainy day. I miss my little sisters, who I think miss me, too, so much. I miss, well, basically those top things.

But I am loving my life, despite all those things. I just have to deal with it. And I still am devoting time for my love and my friends.

I want this. I am going to give my best. Yes. I can. I will. Cheers! :)