There’s so much uncertainty in this world. I can’t escape from it, in fact, I’m fascinated by it… the notions of chance, risk and randomness, I find interesting. But there are brief moments that allow one to have a glimpse of certainty. Those times are rare: I treasure them and follow their signs.

I know I just have to do it.

A childhood acquaintance from the province recently learned about my cell phone number. She sent me a greeting text message with my name on it, albeit an interesting version: Shayrose.

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

I usually don’t want much T.V. as I find it somewhat a waste of time. But I do watch regularly some local comedy shows, one of which is Bitoy’s Funniest Videos.

I usually turn off the T.V. after this show. But I left it open one time as it seemed that I had nothing better to do. The next show is Pinoy Pop Superstar, a singing competition, now on its third season.

In that episode, the defending champion, Maricris Garcia, caught my attention. I usually find talented local singers, like Nina and Kyla, to be cute. With Maricris’ talent, she has a good chance of winning the title.