Life Update.

Hello there. How you all doing? Mimi's here. 

So, 2016 huh? What a year... I can't believe that 2015 had already left us. No, just kidding... I'm well-aware that it's no longer 2015 the moment I finished my final exam last January. Phew. What a whirlwind of semester this has been for me, and I'm sure that I'm not the only one feeling this way (most of my course mate must be feeling the same way too). I mean, can you imagine it - 6 subjects in just one semester? I know that might sound like nothing for an undergraduate (been there, done that), but if you are a postgraduate student that can be quite a lot and momma here KINDA needs her break. (=.=): But aren't I a full-time student? So, why should it effect me? Oh, I tell you why, if you promise to keep on reading this post... 

A couple of months ago in this post, I sort of mentioned that I had moved to KL in order to pursue my master studies, but for whatever reason fail to provide more details about it. Frankly, I wasn't really planning to be this secretive, but privacy and safety reasons kinda make me wary about giving out too much information. After all, I did mentioned that I was living alone, so naturally I felt inclined to. However, since now that I'm back again at my hometown and no longer living there, I figure that it's quite alright to talk about it now. I'm currently attending University of Malaya for 2015/2016 session and the course that I'm currently studying is called 'Master in Publishing Studies'.

I know how odd this might seem, for an ex-computer science student like myself to make a leap like this, but after SPM, I sort of make it my long-life goal to tick as many check box as possible when it comes to learning. I studied Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Additional Maths during high school for 2 years (despite hating science), then became a life science student in matriculation college (with no interest of becoming a doctor except eligibility for an early degree) for a year, before settling down with computer science for the next 3 years at the university and graduated in the late 2014. I took almost a year off from everything to clear out my head and figure my next move; either to work or pursue my master studies. Got a few of interview and work offer, but I was torn and confused about what I want. Long story short, I decided to apply for master at UM around Jan 2015 and received my letter of acceptance through e-mail's about a month later.

Naturally, the offer come as big decision for me and I have to discuss it with my parents first before making up my mind. After some talk and leveling to the pro's and con's; I decided that it's probably at the best interest for me to go. This way I can experience how living in KL like (if I happen to work in here someday) while also studying at the same time. It's obviously a great opportunity for me and since my parents are supportive enough; how can I to say no to that? Anyway, what I did was to rent a room outside the campus (because it's much cheaper) and lived there for 4 months (late Aug 2015 - early Jan 2016) while trying to complete the first part of the course (that 6 subjects) and taking a bus everyday to go to class.

When I first applied for the course, I'm well-aware about the subject offered, but oblivious enough to not knowing about how much work it will be. The subject titles are harmless enough (e.g; Seminar in publishing studies, Book writing & editing, Great work, etc...) and doesn't really suggestive to anything hard. Well, turn out to be - I was WRONG. Taking a master degree (no matter what field of studies you're in) isn't like taking a paid-vacation or taking a stride walk in the park. It requires a lot more than that and boy, didn't I know that better based on the allocation of work below;

Six subjects = 11 assignments (9 individual, 2 groups) + 6 individual presentations + 1 big seminar (conducted with nine other course mate) - all need to be finished in 1 sem (4 months). 

I'm not saying all of master degree are like this, but since mine is mixed-mode course (course + thesis); I'm required to finish all of these subjects before they would allow me to start my thesis. Looking back, it's still a miracle how I'm able to finish all of that, and thank God that I manage to pull it off somehow. It didn't help that I got sick during the last 2 paper either, when my spirit and self-esteem really hits rock-bottom. Anyway, I'm glad that that part of my life and requirement is over. Whatever left now is for me to complete the 2nd part of the course; another project and thesis-writing. I was hopeful to catch some break after the 1st semester wrapped up (probably get a part-time job somewhere & figure out my thesis), but the lecturer who coordinate the programme already handed us the fixed date for presentation and candidature defense (2016 and 2017, respectively) and since the university is seriously implying at the importance of G.o.T, I have no other choice but to go with tight schedule.

To tell you the truth, I'm equally scared and nervous about this. I may had passed the exam in one- shot, but coming up with a good research topic and writing thesis is a different story. A lot of problem can arise during that time; the weird, the crazy and the unexpected, and I could only try and pray and hope for the best (may God and good inspiration comes along the way). There's absolutely no certainty nor guarantee in this - only the realization and discussion between you, your supervisor, lecturers, and the examiner who will eventually judge and decide either your thesis is solid or not. Ugh, even thinking about the future now send chills down my spine. This is scary as he** man! Anyway, I guess this another phase of becoming a master student and its probably better for to me embrace rather than avoid it. Right now, I'm thinking about conducting my research from here (Malacca) while communicating with my supervisor through e-mail's and only come down to the faculty when it's necessary (I still need a live and a part-time job, mind you).

Ok, I guess that's enough for an update. I think I had written long enough to compensate for the last five months I been missing. I'm glad that I can now work from home though I'm still pretty pissed off about my student card. Seriously, it's been four months people! I need that card!!

Snoopy and me, as in February 2016 (<3)

Yours truly: Mimi Said