Moving Up To 5th Grade Soon

So our little girl is now in the 4th grade and it has been quite busy the last few weeks for us as we went from one Information Day or School Open House to the next in preparation for 5th grade. This is because she will transfer to a new school where she will spend the next 8 or 9 years studying and preparing for a career. 

The first 4 years of Grundschule are almost over and we are happy and proud to say that she is doing well. Although graduation ceremonies and/or quarterly recognition days are not big here, we are happy that she is happy learning and socializing with other children. 

Moving on to a new school, we are as excited as her as she takes another big step. We are thankful that she is recommended to continue on to Gymnasium, a kind of high school which will allow her to continue on and study at the Universität or Hochschule later on. 

The German educational system is quite new to us so it is also like an adventure for us as parents. We just hope that we will be able to guide her and support her in the decisions that she will make in the years to come and that she will grow into the person that is meant to be.

In the coming days, we will be registering her at the school that left a good impression. We just hope and pray that she will be accepted. 

I am nervous and excited as I look forward to the new adventures and challenges that our young girl will face. But head's up Anak... rest assured that you will always have us behind you to back you up!

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Thesis Writing Blues

Tick tock tick tock... I am fully aware that the clock is ticking as I try to organize my thoughts while writing my master thesis. I must admit I am getting nowhere in the "Results and Discussion" part, which is essentially the heart of any thesis paper. I am now beginning to panic because I know that I barely have two months or even less until my presentation date and I must admit that I really need help! I realize now that although I am quite good at creative writing, I have lost my touch in technical writing. Have I been blogging too much?

Where should I get the inspiration and the help that I need then? I was poring over my notes and references, trying to figure out what to write first and how I should organize my results when an email arrived suggesting that I check out Studymode. What a heaven-sent! It is a website with a mission "to provide an idea encyclopedia that enables members to streamline their research process, jump-start, and focus their paper writing efforts." I guess I better read more as I just might get the inspiration that I need and be able to finally find my focus. I am also having some trouble with my citations so their citation generator will be a very helpful and handy tool. I find the website particulary helpful for students who have essay assignments and term papers as members can browse from over 650,000 model essays, term papers and book notes. One just needs to go through the FREE sign-up procedure first to get access to the the articles.

Well, wish me good luck in writing my thesis. I need all the luck I need, plus a little bit more time! 

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Writing Can Also Be Tough

I can breath a little bit easier now since I just finished the last batch of my experiments for my master thesis. I had a consultation with my direct supervisor before she left for Lebanon to work on a part of her PhD last week and I showed her my outline for the thesis report. I still have a long way to go on the writing part though since I only managed to write some subchapters for each chapter in my report. Looking at how many sub-chapters still need to be written, I realized that I need to write fast if I want to present my master thesis on time. I also need to make an impressive powerpoint presentation, which I will need to show to the examiners via epson projectors, and make a good job at presenting it to them.

Now comes the dilemma of presenting my data in such a way that it will not be confusing to the people reading it. Although I have a specific audience - people who are knowledgeable in wastewater treatment in general and anaerobic digestion in particular - I still want to write it in such a way that even those who don't have a background information on the subject will also be able to understand what my thesis is all about. And I need to be objective and analytical... two things that one needs when writing an effective technical paper. It has been so long since I wrote a technical paper. I have been so used to expressing my opinions through blogging that I am afraid that I won't be able to be as objective as I can be. Indeed, writing can also be tough.

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Always In A Rush

It is already the middle of the year. I know I still have a ton of things to do before I finish my master thesis. There is a ton of data waiting to be analyzed and many chapters to write for my report. I still need to submit my master thesis registration to the Waste Program office. I hope I don't forget to turn it in on Monday. 

Because most of the time, I am busy time seems to fly until it is time to pick my daughter up from the Kindergarten. Weeks pass me by like a breeze and before I know it, it will soon be Christmas day. I do hope I manage to finish it on time so that I will have time to relax and to do other creative stuff like making some christmas cards photos to be sent out to family and friends before the Christmas rush gets the better of me. I also need to pack up for a much deserved vacation. That is something I really look forward to since it has been years since I came home to my home country. 

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So Many Things To Do, So Little Time

It has been a while since I posted in this blog. There are just so many things happening that I just couldn't find the time to sit down and, well, blog. Even my social life is affected. I have three final presentations next week at the university, two on Solid Waste Treatment Plant Design and one on Emissions Reduction at Selected Industrial Proceses. My final exams are coming up, one I think on Friday for my Japanese class and another one on the 13th for Biowaste Air Purification. I haven't gotten around to any serious studying yet and I am running out of time. I am frantic, desperate to gain more time, like someone who is in desperate need for prescription drug abuse addiction so that things will fall into place.

But I do believe that things will just fall into place... That I need not worry too much because somehow, things really do just fall into place, with a little bit of luck, hardwork and lots of prayers and faith. I am not alone. I have the support of my family. No matter how tough things get, I am somehow able to get by.

I have so many things to do and I have so little time. I have even taken some things foregranted at home... the laundry is piling up, the trash is still waiting to be taken out, and I haven't even put the Christmas decors away. I could really use two of me right now, one who will do the studying and the academic stuff, the other one who will take care of the house and the family. Since there is only one of me, the least I can do is manage my time. I do hope I can manage all the things that I need to do. So heaven help me.

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When the SSB Goes On Strike...

It was very short notice. I learned just three days ago that there will be a transport strike for the subway trains and buses yesterday. I never experienced how difficult it would be to commute without the Ubahn and buses, until yesterday.

Photo Source: http://www.nordrundschau.stuttgarter-nachrichten.de/

I had an important class to attend to yesterday so that it was important for me to get there on time. I had to hurdle many obstacles yesterday just to get to the venue of the class, which is located not within the university but at the wastewater treatment and research facility in a small town a few kilometers away from the university.

My little girl didn't want to go to the kindergarten yesterday but I was glad that she agreed after explaining to her that there will be no trains. After bringing her to the kindergarten, I had to walk going to the S-bahn station, which took almost thirty minutes. Thankfully, the S-bahn trains are not affected by the strike so that I can still get to the university. Then I had to run to catch the bus going to the Büsnau. I thought I would make it when I saw the bus loading some passengers while running up the stairs from the S-bahn station going to the bus stop. I ran and waved for the bus driver to wait for me for a while but just as I was only about 10 meters away, it drove off! Grrr!!!! With shaking legs and a growing frustration, I sat on the bench waiting for the next bus to come, which came more than 30 minutes late! I want to curse them all!

I know I could have just called a taxi but since I was being frugal, I held my ground at the bus stop. I could have just walked through the forest from the university to büsnau but I was too exhausted and I don't want to walk alone in that forest, not that it is dangerous but I just want to be safe.

So in the end, I waited for the next bus to come and I arrived at my destination at past twelve. I was lucky though because they haven't started yet.

That experience had me wishing I could drive and that we have another car. Hehe!

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Practice Makes Perfect

"Übung macht den Meister"

There is still so much to learn about the German language... Although I have been here for more than two years now, I still have got so much to learn. Since I don't really practice German at home because we want to speak in our dialect for the sake of our little girl, I can only catch new words or phrases from the TV while watching shows with my little girl. Reading German children's book also help, since I get some new vocabulary there. Still there is so much to learn... And as they say, "Übung macht den Meister"

So I guess beginning today, I will try to learn a new word or phrase to enrich my vocabulary and maybe share it with my husband so that everyday, we have something new to add into our vocabulary chest, which by the way is in dire need of filling. I love the German equivalent of vocabulary: WORTSCHATZ.... "Wort" literally meaning word, and "schatz" meaning treasure.

Perhaps I will also be taking a German course after all to fill this need to improve my German language skills. Hopefully, I get accepted to the lecture, which starts next week. There is a reason for everything after all. I hope I get to choose my lectures well for this semester and be able to manage my time wisely.

After all, "Übung macht den Meister."

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Can I Rant?

It has been ages since I last updated this blog... Gawd! If you must know, my time is spent mostly on studying for my final exams, which by the way is taking like forever to be over! I just had another exam this morning and it was by far the worst exam experience that I had. I thought it shouldn't be that difficult knowing that it's an open book exam but boy, was I very wrong! The idea that you have other materials to look at while doing the exam at first glance is comforting but in reality, it isn't much use since you don't have time to use the materials you brought in with you anyway.

And with only sixty minutes to spare? I don't think you would be able to even open your notes and books to find for the correct formula. I say why not make it a closed book exam but provide all the necessary formulas instead? That should save us some time.

I was shaking while I was writing and solving the problems for this particular exam in Mechanical Process Engineering knowing that I only have so little time. But to answer five problems with about 4-5 sub-questions is simply unmanageable for me. I think even the smartest person in our class will not be able to finish all of that in an hour.

The craziness of the educational system here. I guess it's a good training for me but I also have a life to live and a family to take care. Maybe this graduate school thing is not reallly for me after all? I guess I will have to wait and see if I passed the exams or not. Only then will I be able to decide whether I am cut up for this kind of thing.

Here's hoping for the best. :D

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Congrats Kat and TJ!

Isn't it wonderful when two people are united in the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony? I always find weddings beautiful and that of TJ and Kat's is certainly one of them....

Although I haven't been really close to my high school batchmates since I didn't go to the same university with them during college and had my own set of friends when I got into college, I still keep the Livewires as a part of my extended family and keep them close to my heart... After all, we have been together for four solid years in high school and have kept in touch through social networking.

I am always amazed at the closeness and the strong friendship that the Livewires share and although I usually consider myself as the observer and the silent reader in our FB group page, I can’t help but find myself immersed in the gossips and the excitement that the Livewires have been up to these past few months and found myself commenting and sharing some of my thoughts.

I must admit, I am always among those last to know the most important happenings in town, the wedding of Kat and TJ included. I didn’t even know that they have been going out! That is how clueless I am… But needless to say, I am really happy for both of them. Too bad I wasn’t there to witness their beautiful union. I can only wait for the photos to come flooding…



To Kathy and Timong, my heartfelt and warm Congratulations and Best wishes… Indeed, it's a beautiful day!

“May you live for as long as you love…

May you love for as long as you live…

And may the measure of your love…

be a love without measure.”

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A Study Haven at the Universum

August is a busy month for any student taking up a Bachelor's or Master's degree as it is the month of preparing for and taking the final examinations. With so many things to study and prepare for, a place where one can study and discuss with your classmates would be ideal. Of course, there is always the option of studying in the library but one needs to maintain a level of silence there as it is a place for reading and studying. One can also study in the comfort of his or her own room or home. But for someone like me who finds it difficult to focus studying at home because of a lot of distractions, e.g. housechores that clamor for attention, television, playing with the daughter, sleeping, a place that has enough room to study and work, an internet connection and power source, and not so noisy environment is just what I need.

Photo by Christoph Hoffmann, Source: commons.wikimedia.org

Thankfully, I found Universum, introduced to me by my colleagues from the Master Progam last semester when we did a group study in preparation for the final examinations for one of our subjects. I haven't got photos of this study hall yet but I will be sure to post them here when I get the chance to bring my camera with me.

The entire week, I have been going to the Universum to study for my exams. My husband is very supportive enough to take a week off from work so he can look after our little girl while I go to the university to study. I can say that I have neen able to study pretty well this week. My next exam will be on September 1st and I hope that by then, I have already understood and learned all that I need to learn and can confidently say that I am ready.

Thanks Universum!

The Universum can be found at the University of Stuttgart, Vaihingen Campus. It is located at the underground floor of the Mensa Buildig, and is beside Wittwer Uni-Buchhaus. See the modern art installation in the photo above? The door behind leads to the Universum.

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One Down, More To Go

I had my first day of exams today... I don't know if I should be happy about it or not considering the effort I put into studying this single subject. I thought I did okay but you can never really tell until the results are out. I guess I will just have to humor myself and try to stop thinking about what I could have answered.

I have studied all about the possible things that would come out in the exam but when I was sitting there and answering the questions, I was always bound to forget some important details which are key to answering the problems. It's funny really, how one single word can ruin everything for you.

My professor said that the results will come out in ten working days. Hopefully, I will have earned a good score so that I wouldn't have to retake the same exam in September. If I pass, that will definitely one weight off my shoulders. I will just keep my fingers crossed...

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A Grueling and Watery Thursday

Yesterday was the longest and most grueling day of my graduate student life. And I know that it is just the beginning because I will be going to those Thursday classes in the next three months.

The Institute where we hold our classes. Located at the foot of the forest.

A small-scale wastewater treatment plant is also housed here.

Now that the Summer Semester 2011 at the Universität Stuttgart is in full swing, I need to attend the lectures and seminars of my chosen specialization and some related electives. Thursday is "Büsnau Day" because we hold our classes for the modules in "Urban Drainage and Design of Wastewater Treatment Plants" and "Water Quality and Treatment" at the university's Institute for Sanitary Engineering, Water Quality and Solid Waste Management in Stuttgart-Büsnau, a good 3.7 kilometers away from the Universität Stuttgart campus in Vaihingen. Yes, everything has got to do with water: from clean water to the dirty one.

From 10:00 AM until 7:00 PM, we had to sit and listen to the lectures of our professors. Although there were fifteen-minute breaks in between and a forty-five minute lunch, you could easily doze off to lalaland. With the lights in the lecture hall dimmed, cool spring breeze entering the room from the outside and the absence of an automated coffee machine where you can buy coffee from - these are just perfect sleeping conditions. 

Yesterday was a really long one for me. Although I was able to endure it, it was just too much information to take in in one day. And just thinking about having to go back there next week makes me want to skip it altogether. Toinks!

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