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.

****

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.

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