So happy! I can once again post in EMANCIPATIONONGOING.BLOGSPOT.COM. I just want to let you guys know that I'll be deleting this soon. Everything's been transferred to ↑. See you there! =)

Mamma Mia!

Glee's rendition of Mamma Mia is ♥
(And oh, Rachel Berry's voice and delivery is definitely impeccable!)

Reflections of A Job Hunter

I just got back from my job hunting in LB a few days ago. I first did a little bit of catching up with my former boss. It was nice talking to her and, I must say, she's one of the most down to earth scientists I've ever known. And then I had an interview with one scientist. Thank God I was able to answer his questions correctly even though I was nervous deep inside. He could only give me a temporary position due to funding restrictions so he suggested to check other groups first. I emailed another scientist (and I am really hoping to work under her supervision). I also talked to another one but his field is quite far from mine, so there's really not much to expect.

Geez! If there's one thing I learned from this experience, it's that it's definitely not easy to look for a job, especially here in the Philippines. A post graduate diploma doesn't guarantee one to get the job he deserves in as easy as ABC. But there's still hope. I may not get the job that I want now, but I know someday, the time will come where I'll be in a place and position which I rightfully deserve.

Having a sense of accomplishment is an important aspect of life. I think whatever circumstance you're into, it's important to have a sense of accomplishment even in small things. And of course, it all starts in taking some baby steps. Little by little, you'll eventually get to where you dream of going. All it takes is initiative, courage, and determination. (And with that, my baby steps would be starting to have a list of goals again.)

GOALS/THINGS TO ACCOMPLISH FOR THE WEEK:

1. Finish revising the paper and send it to Professor tonight or until Tuesday afternoon.
2. Have a notebook to list my weekly goals and accomplishments.
3. Start looking for some scholarships and list the requirements.
4. Check the GRE, MCAT, and TOEFL sites.
5. Email the HR.

image sources: 1 2

Graduation Day

I was browsing through all my files and realized that I haven't posted much from Dec 2012 up to the present. During that time, I was very busy finishing my experiments and thesis manuscript but, now, I have a lot of time to be active again in the blogosphere. So yeah, to start off, I want to share the product of all the hard work, cramming, cups of lattes, and sleepless nights in the laboratory.☺

Last December 18, my university had its Graduation Ceremony for International Students. All the foreign students from the undergraduate and graduate schools came together to celebrate the fruit of their labor.

It's been a wonderful and challenging two-year journey for me. I am very thankful to Kyungpook National University for providing scholarships to students in different parts of the world; to all the professors that I had who shared their knowledge and who patiently taught in English even if it's difficult for them; to my professor/supervisor for accepting me in his laboratory, for helping me and guiding me in the experiments, for understanding me whenever I commit mistakes, and for letting me stand in my feet again after a fall; to my senior who also helped me in the experiments; to our lab's undergraduates with whom I get to talk to during lab dinners and breaks, particulary to that one undergraduate with whom I had several chit chats; to my fellow Filipino KNU scholars, who shared all the ups and downs of studying and living in a foreign land. One big shout out, "WE FINALLY DID IT!" and of course, to my family (Mama, Papa, Lola, and brother) for all the love, support, and for simply being there for me wherever life takes me.♥

Saranghaeyo, Korea.

It's been a week already since I arrived here. I am now back in the Philippines. The past days were really difficult because I can't help but miss South Korea. I guess it's always like that - it's hard to leave a place you considered you're home away from home.

Two years went by so fast. I can still remember the first time I set foot in that country called the Land of the Morning Calm. It was a chilly February morning and everything was indeed calm and beautiful. One of the things that amazed me, which I haven't experienced before, was the smoke-like effect when you breathe out. I was like, "I only see this in the movies!!!" I felt like a five-year old. And then there was the very comfortable four-hour bus ride going to Daegu. Hot cup of coffee in one hand and a camera on the other, snapping pictures here and there. But snapping pictures was not enough. To appreciate every single moment of it, I had to focus and look at things with my naked eye. It was priceless seeing the picturesque surroundings - the golden sun rise, the long and wide river, the snow covered fields and mountains, the bare trees. Everything was indeed beautiful. Everything seemed like a dream...

In a chilly February afternoon, I once again took that four-hour bus ride. I snapped some photos but decided to just look at the surroundings. Everything was and will always be beautiful - the bare trees, the snow covered fields and mountains, the long and wide river, the golden sun set.

사랑해요 Korea.

'Til we meet again.

Something to lift my spirits

I just want to shut myself off from the world. Everything seems complicated. The more you get old, the more you have to think and do something about your life or maybe people expect you to be like that or maybe it's just the way it is. And then, here's the worse part, the more you will have to deal with people. I'm better off thinking and doing something about my life but dealing with people is just not my thing. I'm an introvert for as long as I can remember. And I don't think it will ever change. I'm not into socializing and I'm not after befriending every people I meet. But here's something I'm proud of, I have a few friends...very few, but I know that with them I found genuine people who know and understand me. I miss them. But right now, I just have to live my life in solitude. My life has been amazing, definitely amazing but I think I am here at this point where I need to take a breather and just free myself from worries about the future, about what I would do, and about other people. Speaking of which, I hope I would be spared from people asking me about my plans. There's no explaining to do because I don't owe them one.

Also, from now on, I'll be changing my perception about myself being a "princess in waiting." I'm not a princess waiting for my prince anymore. I've been holding on that belief for a long time. I still believe in true love but I will not spend my entire life waiting for that one special person. I don't care if he comes along or not. I am no longer a princess because from the start I've always been a fighter. I've been through a lot of battles. Some, I am victorious. Some, I failed. Some, I retreated. Some, I am still preparing to.

Whatever lies ahead, I just leave it up to fate because for now, all I want is to shut myself off from this world.