glibberish.

The side effect of being in a foreign country and taking up the master’s degree is that, amidst all schoolwork and the new people around, I sort of lose some part of what I am. That part that watches movies, read books, marathon TV shows – the geek fanboy part – has somewhat distanced itself from me for the time being.

Which is good in a way, as I try on this “academic-type” personality for size. Especially now, as the semester is at an end, there isn’t much room to do anything except cycle through research, study, write paper, research, study… It is a bit disturbing to find oneself again worrying about deadlines and preparing for exams. Actually, I think studying involves more work than having a job – adding it all up, the hours are much longer. But the difference is, I hardly notice because I need to run my brain 100% (er, of the possible 5% of it that I can use) all the time. Back home, this mostly happens only when doing music projects, and even then I engage the other side (the creative side) of this gray matter.

Having said all that drivel, I find that I love the switch to the analytical side. Sure it drains the mind, but I am in perpetual techie state, and I follow my own work schedule. (The best thing ever! Or not – my schedule has drastically “adjusted” I now sleep at 6am. Not very healthy.) Actually, I am contemplating on doing more academic work after I finish this degree, but more specialized, so I only focus on a subject I am most passionate about. Although at this point, I am not sure what that subject is yet.

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I am looking forward to the end of the semester. I’m going home for Christmas and a month-long vacation. It’s funny how one used to take for granted the comforts of home, and sorely misses it now that it’s out of reach. It’s a great feeling, like you know there is a big payoff at the end of an ardous journey, no matter what the outcome. I now understand and share the American student’s sentiment of “break” – there REALLY is something to take a break from.

Since I moved to my current appartment I have been having this minor issue with the air inside the bed area smelling “stale”. It’s not any foul or funky smell, it just has that particular subtle scent you pick up when in an attic, for instance. So I tried to cycle the air by turning on the fan in the daytime. I also light up a scented candle for a few minutes every night. Despite these, the staleness was still there.

It wasn’t until my girlfriend arrived that the smell disappeared. This 12-day occupant helped drive the mustiness out just by being there.

To wax poetic about it, I think my flat just needed some life in order for it to breathe. My girlfriend gave it that, and me as well. :)

Haven’t posted much in the past weeks, so I’m posting now, but just out of guilt. I’m not writing anything in particular, just that a note to myself that I should not feel that I should make up for the lack of updates by telling everything that’s happened in one gigantic essay – no, that will not accomplish anything and I will just more likely put off writing stuff here.

And anyway, writing about daily stuff is getting boring. I need to write more insights, or opinions.

Oh, maybe a quick update: I am fine, enjoying school, and glad that my girlfriend’s on the visit ;)