This is quite possibly my least structured and laziest year, taking only one (!) subject during the first semester and a light load of 3 subjects starting this November.
It was a good break from the crazy pace of things I had to deal with during my previous work. This year was an opportunity to think, and to decide on my path. I discovered and learned many things: blogging, technology entrepreneurship and Mathematica programming to name a few.
But the most important decision was my choice of a master’s degree. The two major candidates were Quantitative Finance and Operations Research, but I also went as far as to consider a graduate degree in Astronomy, being somewhat a neglected childhood interest desiring to resurface. Ultimately, I settled for Operations Research, believing that it’s a field that can contribute something good for the society.
I look forward to this new year. I unexpectedly made some important realizations before the year ended. This next two years are going to be an important link, both in my personal and work life.
Year 2006 left a few events that I’d like to cast in stone:
- discovered blogging as a new hobby
- upgraded from a turtle dial-up to a relatively quantum speed DSL internet. Had I not visited a friend, I wouldn’t have known that DSL is already cost-effective.
- signed up for what everyone else seems to have: a Friendster account (too bad I still don’t have any photos to upload… must buy a digital camera soon)
- found a nearby sanctuary: the La Mesa Ecopark
- had quarterly sessions with my high school beerkada
- left my first work at a startup software company to finally pursue my master’s degree
- discovered the fun of Mathematica programming
- nailed down Operations Research as my field of specialization
- learned about the rising culture of technology entrepreneurship in the Philippines through the Philippine Emerging Startups Open
