2 jobs + studies = sudden death: I miss writing for myself.

This Macross model — apparently driven by the very first protagonist, Hikaru — was placed on top of my desk by a fellow producer, Dino, who thought that my work area looked bleary. LOL.

As I write this blog entry, I am actually waiting for some software to install itself into my work laptop so that I could work. Right now, I am trying to find my balance. I’ve placed so much on my plate, nearly forgetting the fact that I am supposed to be concentrating on what I want to be the last year of my graduate studies.

It’s not the first time that I’ve actually had two jobs while studying at the same time. I did the same thing while I was aiming for a master’s degree. Unfortunately, those two previous jobs are nothing compared to one full-time job in a video gaming company. (I’m also considering the fact that I have a higher position now than in my last job. Therefore, handling a much larger scope than before.) And master’s studies is a far cry from getting a doctorate. But then I also write for The Philippine Online Chronicles on the side, which is something that I should be enjoying, since it’s supposed to be only a once-a-week task…but if one would consider the depth and breadth of all my responsibilities, the only way I can actually write for it is on Saturdays.

On my day job. As I have mentioned before, I am now in an environment where every move you make is part of a larger strategy. I look at it as if it were a game where I have to check all my resources and my time allocation. I am also handling more departments than what I am used to. There’s a lot of learning to be done and the consequences are unforgiving. Yup, I always go home feeling like I need to get reacquainted with my bed immediately. I cannot even muster the strength to blog. (Hence the lack of updates you’ve been witnessing recently.) BUT I am still loving where I am because it has been a while since I have encountered challenges that ultimately drive me to do better. As I have also said before, it’s been a while since I’m surrounded by so many workaholic men and this actually motivates me.

On my studies. In a way, I am envious of my prolific friends, Rowena, Jenny and Rod. I cannot believe that Rod can still blog right after writing more than 20,000 words on our comprehensive exam. (I only managed to cough out roughly 12,000++ words but I was already yearning for rest right after that.) When I got home from the exams, it was all I could do to not fall quickly into bed and sleep. The papers I write for school are figuratively rocket science. Just to give you an idea, this is one of the small papers I submit to my professors on a regular basis. It’s a short paper, but it took me every brain cell available to process. That’s why it zaps me completely of brain power. Imagine that I actually now have to write about a thousand pages worth for my dissertation (there go my Sundays), to be submitted by the end of the school year.

Me and (what’s left of) my classmates, right after finishing the comprehensive exam. To our credit, the four of us were among the rare working students who’d take heavy school loads.

On my part-time writing job. This should have been easier if I were gifted with my sister’s stylistics and language use. But hey, I work with what I have and what I know. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed writing for Vibal Publishing immensely. However, I kind of miss writing for me. I have no weekends left and my coherence completely disappears after 6PM on weekdays. T.T

Anyhoo, I will still try to update as often as I can. I owe it to myself as well as to my readers. I’m just thinking about how to manage my time without killing myself in the process.

Thanks for reading! =^.^= Do share your thoughts or maybe tips? Hehe.

(And now that break time’s over…)

6 Comments

  1. Jenny Ortuoste

    May 20, 2011 at 5:02 am

     Ey, am not so prolific, wala lang akong lovelife kaya. And after that compre  my brain bled profusely. Kaya ako nakapatiwarik ngayon para ma-replenish ung blood supply to my brain. 🙂 Let's look forward to making our proposals! 🙂

  2. skysenshi

    May 20, 2011 at 7:48 am

    Feeling ko kelangan ko rin tumiwarik para mag-flow ulit sa brain ang blood. Hahaha!

  3. John Ray Cabrera

    May 21, 2011 at 4:30 pm

    i haven't gotten to a point that juggling too much in my hand took a perpetual process. while i have my day job, i am working as commissioned writer for some PR firms because it pays higher than being a magazine contributor. and week ends for the scientific community where i work as a lecturer on astrophysics. so essentially that is just two jobs on week days, and one job on week ends. but i kinda get used to the idea of stint multiplicity as i disc jockeyed/anchored on a radio while studying in college. my tip? try to study and work in a cozy environment once in a while. it will speed you up. the closest one that i can suggest is tagaytay. 

    you look lovely on your pic. your sideview signature pose, you really have mastered that craft. hahaha. good luck bea. 

  4. skysenshi

    May 22, 2011 at 12:43 am

    I actually overestimated my capacity haha. Because I've always been a working student with more than one jobs. This overestimation is completely my fault. It's just that the job that I have now (like in any other gaming company) is a lot more grueling than any other job I have ever had (and I have not even gone beyond hours yet…not yet at this time but I know that will begin soon). The same is true for my studies. My doctorate is about 3x harder than my master's, which was 5x harder than college. I actually have not attended meetings in my organizations (GDAP and IGDA) for quite some time now and have been declining blogger event invitations left and right. Wah! Even on events that I really really like…oh and…I am also in the process of making a brick and mortar business out of Sarimanok.

    I guess it's harder to juggle things when I get home really tired that my brain can no longer function at the end of the day. Sometimes nga my body refuses to work on Saturdays na eh. Haha!

    Anyhoo, thanks for the compliment. 🙂

  5. MrsMartinez

    May 27, 2011 at 4:05 am

    waaaaaah Bea I miss you na!
    Good luck with your new career…xoxoMrsM

  6. skysenshi

    May 27, 2011 at 7:30 am

    Oo nga miss ko na kayo. Most likely mga Friday night events na lang ako makikita kayo.

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