I just have to write about this day. Nothing really special today, except that today was the first day of speed drafting lessons. I took the course in hopes of improving my drafting abilities. Although come to think of it, what I need is to improve how I think. Anyway, nothing to lose if I attend right?

Most of the drafting techniques taught in college were debunked by our instructor. For example, neat drafting. Our instructor told us to make our construction lines visible then just freely outline in ink over it. When we drafted a plan earlier, we were instructed not to use an eraser, relying solely on the power of visibly (and fastly) done construction lines. We also got some pointers on what sheet to do first, then in order until the last.
He taught us how to do ink lines that squiggle, much like what my boss does on his sketches. Then our final outline should extend a bit. I’m still adjusting to this new technique.

Anyway, I just have to write about this day because I felt so lazy over studying structural. I attempted to get out of the house as soon as I finished lunch so I could clock in some study time in the review center. while waiting for our 6 pm class to start. As in drag, I slept over my notes and drooled over them in the process. (I know, yuck.) The other subjects I could somehow psych myself into studying, but structural…if I didn’t take the speed drafting class earlier, I would have considered this day a total waste. Should I be panicking?! Anyway, just have to mark it on this blog whenever I feel like slacking off.

RAMBLINGS

I’m currently on break from all the info stuffing activity I’ve immersed myself ever since I went on leave. Well, actually it’s not a break break -- I’m researching on what each crane on Arch. Venus’ excerpt of the mechanical code looks like.

My typical study day is like this: I wake up, have a long and leisurely shower, (enjoying my new shampoo that smells so….citrusy and summery.=) ) try to have breakfast (or at least whatever’s left after everyone else has eaten), read the newspaper (entertainment first, opinions last), saunter around the lanai a bit, read a bit into where I left off the previous night, shift from the study table to the solid bench by the big window and back, sometimes I bring the reviewers to my room and then back to the study table. I eat, take catnaps, read a no-brainer book in between studies to prevent information overkill, visit the cute baby girl next door, and next thing I know, it’s already night time.

I’ve found out I could hardly stand to read in one sitting an entire subject. I don’t know if I’m utilizing the time I have efficiently given this short attention span problem that I have or I could still exert a little more effort at doing things in a more continuous, fluid way…oh well. Anyway, I’m trying my best to stick to a schedule. Hopefully I could follow through.

There are still a couple of errands I need to do for the boards, like follow up on my logbook and my diploma, and the actual filing for an exam permit. I’m actually quite nervous about filing for an exam permit. What if one of my requirements would be found null or something? And if ever I do get the permit, ok…that’s it. No backing out of this exam. No backing out of another adult decision. (My, they seem to get more plenty by the year.) *sigh*

Anyway, I do what I can on the time I have.

***
Sometimes I wonder what awaits for me after the exam has passed. I’ve been reading some of my friends’ blogs and well, what most of them have in common is the ‘search’ their place in the sun. It’s kind of …. ironic? Odd? Expected? ‘Search’ and ‘struggle’ seem to be intertwined no matter whose experience it may be.

In a way I’m a wimp. I feel reluctant to face challenges in my life, especially uncertain ones, even though I do recognize they’re inevitable.

In a way, that’s one of the biggest reasons why despite the hardships brought about by the exams, in a way I’m a bit happier to be on leave, if only to temporarily avoid challenges at work and the struggle to make it there. A temporary respite from everything (well, at least until June arrives) and at least I’m back to a role that I can relate to the best – being a student. At least with taking the exams, I can only predict two things - either I pass the exam, or I fail. Whereas work, the greater things in life…I still am clueless on what to do next.

On my leave of absence

Today is the second day of my 3-month leave, and although I’m excited about it, I’m also apprehensive about what’s going to happen in the next 3 months. I’m supposed to make the most out of my 3 month leave. I really want to do well, not just for me and the people close to me, but for my officemates and bosses who support and believe in us. It’s not really a long leave, at least as compared to our friends in other offices, but for me it is long considering that there are 4 of us taking out a leave of absence from the office, and that our leaves were granted out of concern. So there. I feel pretty touched as it is.

On our last day in the office, we went out for lunch. I found it quite touching that our friends from the office want to see us do well in the exams. They even gave us send off cards. The card said that they will miss us and they hope we’ll come back soon. Although hastily made, it was still enough to elicit a tear or two.

Oh well.
***
I’m currently on break doing my logbook. I’m thinking…gosh, it’s so difficult to balance my hours.=( I’m already at that point wherein I already computed most of my hours and I found out that I lack man hours in most of the categories in the logbook.=( I have extra hours but I have yet to figure out where to place them. I couldn’t place my extra hours in one firm into the time period occupied by another firm. And I have so many coordination hours with the engineers that most of the other categories have been cast into shade.

At first I got so frustrated over my logbook. I mean, I’ve been through three firms and some horrendous and disappointing experiences, and it still isn’t enough. I know the logbook’s aims are not realistic, but still! Wala lang, I thought that all those experiences can at least count for something trivial like the logbook. Guess again.

Anyway, I’ll try to get some sleep first and figure out what to do when I wake up.