Random Ramblings

A recent conversation with my papa talked about my future or rather, our future. Have you experienced making plans, seeing this long uninterrupted straight road ahead of you and looking forward to it. Suddenly, you are halted due to “road works” ahead and then and there, have to make a detour. 2011 & 2012 have been full of detours. With the recent events concerning my crazy mother, what used to be a life of comfort has become instead, chaotic. I find myself putting a hand in household matters and expenses. Add to that my work, my social life and family life.

So, we talked about my future. School, work, marriage. Now, it’s marriage, school, work. 

School. Further studies, graduate school? The idea’s there. But not “there there.” Yes, of course, I want to study more. To invest myself for the market out there. But. Exactly what, I haven’t decided yet.  I love Economics, specifically geared towards development. But it’s the after that I’m thinking about. What job and where? Papa gave me a good advice. What is needed by the companies and from there, take your masters. Yes yes, but not soon.

Marriage & kids? Soon  Honestly, papa couldn’t be more discreet that he wanted GRANDCHILDREN. But I ask myself, am I ready to become a mother, to mold the minds of children? What kind of values will I teach and will I be a good example? I don’t know if what happened at home will affect my relationship with my children and my husband as well. It’s all very uncertain. However, just like what happened in Cagayan De Oro during our water rafting, take a deep breathe and get ready to be plunged in the unknown. On a side note, that water rafting scared me out of my wits.

On a drive to work today, I couldn’t help but ask, why do jeeps, buses and public utility vans seem to have their own rules or they make their own rules? They pass thru one-way streets, stop in the middle of the road, even overtake when a car on the opposite side is approaching. And in the end, they blame traffic enforcers, they blame the ones they had an accident with. On a related topic, even our leaders and the people they are leading. No matter how good a leader is, when the people themselves have no discipline, nothing will happen. Discipline should be taught, first & foremost, at home and strengthened in school and applied in real life even during school days. Only when it has been applied that this will be instilled in their whole being. 

So frustrating.

Love Affair

I came across a publication by The World Bank entitled “Mazimizing Mobile” which talks mainly about the effect of mobile phones in the world, focusing on the use of mobile phones in the developing countries. The report states that mobile phones are used in developing countries more than developed countries.

When I first saw the article, I became really excited. The giddy feeling, excitement, fast heartbeat. And I contemplated that yes, this is what makes me excited. The research, the development, that may help policymakers create decisions for the good of the country.

I will read more about the report and I will share my thoughts on it. I’ve only gone up to the Executive Summary and its main topics are:

1. Around three-quarters of the world’s inhabitants now have access to a mobile phone.
2. The developing world is more mobile than the developed world.
3. Mobile applications not only empower individual users, they enrich their lifestyles and livelihood and boost the economy as a whole.
4. Near ubiquity brings new opportunities.
5. Engaging mobile applications for development requires an enabling ecosystem.
6. The mobile revolution is right at the start of its growth curve.

Topics 2 and 3 are what I am keen on but basically the whole topic of improving the agriculture and health sector with the use of mobile phones keeps me on my toes.

Our thesis paper was about the migration of nurses and its effect on the Philippines’ health sector. Obviously, the answer is, it has a negative effect on our health services where all our highly skilled nurses go abroad to seek greener pastures and bringing their skills and better health services with them. We also thought about working on the medical tourism aspect but at that time, although the topic was good, we lacked sources of information since it was just beginning. India was the forerunner and the Philippines was just warming up to the idea.

I am really excited to read more on this publication and hopefully, my love affair with Economics (development economics to be exact) will be renewed.

What do I stand for?

The music of Some Nights by .Fun caught my attention while I was listening to The Morning Rush and one particularly phrase/s struck me:

Oh Lord, I'm still not sure what I stand for
What do I stand for? What do I stand for?
Most nights, I don't know anymore...

I am at the point of my life where I am at a crossroads. Paths of what I want in life are verging together at one point in front of me. On one hand, I want to study. Previously, I shied away from taking an MBA but thinking more about it, why not an MBA in Development Management. Although I still want to pursue further studies in Development Economics. Yes, development. Because developing countries are in right now. LOL. But seriously, a part of me really wants to help my country. There is so much to improve on and aside from corruption, there is indifference and ignorance. On the other hand, marriage and kids. I always see my dad smile at little children, doing crazy antics in the mall, hugging their parents, bullying their siblings and anything "kids." He has a different smile when he sees children and that got me thinking. I know he wants grandchildren. He always loved kids.

Really, our society lacks discipline and this is a hindrance in moving forward. I was thinking of writing a book about etiquette or just some social rules that everyone must know and should follow. Just a random idea.

Welcome welcome

So. This is it. Welcome back to the blogging business? I guess so. I'll probably just use this for a while to let out some steam and rant, rant all the way home. Wait. I am home. Doesn't feel like it sometimes though. More on that as you read through my blog.

This will contain various topics on fashion, make up, books, destination sights, music and just about anything. Just like my boards in Pinterest, this will be all...clutter. :) But for every clutter, there is an opportunity to organize and compartmentalize. Isn't that how all the home improvement shows go? Compile all the clutter, sort it out and bam! A new and improved, organized and clean house. I need that. For my mind, my soul, for myself.

I've been going through some things now called life and it's taking a toll on me. I took a picture of me naked yesterday (well, half-naked) and whoa. I'm so thin. I get compliments about it sometimes, but really, the bottom line is, I'm stressed and unhealthy. Thin = unhealthy is NOT beautiful.

Loving Maroon 5's new album, Overexposed. Must listen.