The Ten O'clock News
Ok, wow.
Its been a while since I've put up something here. A lot has happened. I'll try and cover as much ground as I can think of.
The biggest news is that I have effectively decided to start doing my Masters in Computer Science here at Stellenbosch next year. Many opportunities have come my way and a lot of things happened that "just made sense", so I really have to reign myself in to not simply jump on the first thing that comes my way. But, this is the current stand of things:
I still say to people that I am only 95% decided on this. I suppose I am looking for someone to affirm this decision for me, which is ludicrous, because it is mine to make. I also suppose I am waiting for the lightning and the Voice from the Heavens to affirm or reject this plan of mine, but, alas, it is not in the thunder nor the storm that the Lord speaks to us through. I've laid out my plans to a couple of members of my family. While they did not give me the affirmation that I sought for, they also did not oppose my plans. What did happen, though, was that I seemed to take on a third-person perspective whilst stating my case in these instances. I observed myself making lucid and sound arguments and that made me feel good. My biggest fear is that I'll choose to take an academic path, because it is familiar and safe path. This would be opposed to something like going over seas to work there, which is completely unfamiliar (and scary) territory. I am afraid of the unknown. I don't want to make decisions out of fear. But I don't get the impression that I'm doing this out of fear: my arguments convince rather than justify. I believe that if you have to justify something for yourself, then you are probably on a path which isn't the correct one.
I do not expect to learn too much or gaining superpowers from doing my masters. Rather, I want to take the time to, in a sheltered environment, grow personally whilst working towards a higher qualification, which can only help me afterwards. I also want to use the time to network and meet new people: perhaps I'll find a place where I would want to work after graduation as opposed to having to stumble into the first thing I find that looks good.
So, yeah, I believe that I am decided.
Unfortunately all these thoughts on doing a master's degree did little to motivate me to work on my honours project over the past several weeks. If anything, I have been procrastinating like crazy. It's weird, because I am actually doing well in my other subjects, but seem to shy away from my project. When you actually sneak around the department to avoid facing your promotor, like I did last week, then you know you have a problem. I've now restarted my project efforts. I am going to have to work much smarter than I have been doing up until now. Unfortunately, at this late stage, working smart is going to be not substitute for working hard.
I had holidays two weeks ago. Not much to report on that, though. I did not work on my project: in stead, I spend a lot of time feeling guilty about not doing my project. Oh well.
My brother and his wife was back in the country for two weeks. The actually came to attend a conference which was hosted in Cape Town, but stayed on for a week after the conference as a mini holiday. Needless to say that it was great to see them again and I enjoyed the time we all spent together again. They left for the UK again yesterday, but will be back in December for a proper holiday.
I am also looking at buying a new computer for myself. I am completely giddy at the prospect, even though it is going to burn holes through my pockets right into my skin: the initial modest system which I planned has now been supplanted by one which is, well, less modest.
I have decided that I do not like Twenty20 cricket.
I have also noticed that I am getting myself involved in more and more side projects. While I think it is a healthy sign on my part, I must be careful to not spend too much time on these projects. Some of them are small things I tinker with, but others are growing into quite big ventures. The next few months are going to be interesting, I'm sure.
And so, that is all from the news at ten. Enjoy the rest of your evening: goodnight and good luck.
Its been a while since I've put up something here. A lot has happened. I'll try and cover as much ground as I can think of.
The biggest news is that I have effectively decided to start doing my Masters in Computer Science here at Stellenbosch next year. Many opportunities have come my way and a lot of things happened that "just made sense", so I really have to reign myself in to not simply jump on the first thing that comes my way. But, this is the current stand of things:
- I have my lecturers' votes of confidence that I am "masters-material". While their opinion should be the last thing to consider yourself, it is good to have it.
- I have accommodation for next year.
- I am planning to get a part time job at Stellenbosch to enable me to become semi-self-sufficient.
- While I am still looking around at topics for my Masters, I believe I have found what will interest me. It is going to be more practical than theoretical and will flow over into other fields of interest of mine.
I still say to people that I am only 95% decided on this. I suppose I am looking for someone to affirm this decision for me, which is ludicrous, because it is mine to make. I also suppose I am waiting for the lightning and the Voice from the Heavens to affirm or reject this plan of mine, but, alas, it is not in the thunder nor the storm that the Lord speaks to us through. I've laid out my plans to a couple of members of my family. While they did not give me the affirmation that I sought for, they also did not oppose my plans. What did happen, though, was that I seemed to take on a third-person perspective whilst stating my case in these instances. I observed myself making lucid and sound arguments and that made me feel good. My biggest fear is that I'll choose to take an academic path, because it is familiar and safe path. This would be opposed to something like going over seas to work there, which is completely unfamiliar (and scary) territory. I am afraid of the unknown. I don't want to make decisions out of fear. But I don't get the impression that I'm doing this out of fear: my arguments convince rather than justify. I believe that if you have to justify something for yourself, then you are probably on a path which isn't the correct one.
I do not expect to learn too much or gaining superpowers from doing my masters. Rather, I want to take the time to, in a sheltered environment, grow personally whilst working towards a higher qualification, which can only help me afterwards. I also want to use the time to network and meet new people: perhaps I'll find a place where I would want to work after graduation as opposed to having to stumble into the first thing I find that looks good.
So, yeah, I believe that I am decided.
Unfortunately all these thoughts on doing a master's degree did little to motivate me to work on my honours project over the past several weeks. If anything, I have been procrastinating like crazy. It's weird, because I am actually doing well in my other subjects, but seem to shy away from my project. When you actually sneak around the department to avoid facing your promotor, like I did last week, then you know you have a problem. I've now restarted my project efforts. I am going to have to work much smarter than I have been doing up until now. Unfortunately, at this late stage, working smart is going to be not substitute for working hard.
I had holidays two weeks ago. Not much to report on that, though. I did not work on my project: in stead, I spend a lot of time feeling guilty about not doing my project. Oh well.
My brother and his wife was back in the country for two weeks. The actually came to attend a conference which was hosted in Cape Town, but stayed on for a week after the conference as a mini holiday. Needless to say that it was great to see them again and I enjoyed the time we all spent together again. They left for the UK again yesterday, but will be back in December for a proper holiday.
I am also looking at buying a new computer for myself. I am completely giddy at the prospect, even though it is going to burn holes through my pockets right into my skin: the initial modest system which I planned has now been supplanted by one which is, well, less modest.
I have decided that I do not like Twenty20 cricket.
I have also noticed that I am getting myself involved in more and more side projects. While I think it is a healthy sign on my part, I must be careful to not spend too much time on these projects. Some of them are small things I tinker with, but others are growing into quite big ventures. The next few months are going to be interesting, I'm sure.
And so, that is all from the news at ten. Enjoy the rest of your evening: goodnight and good luck.
posted by phantom-99w at 10:00
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