It's now 5:45pm, and I've been sitting in this net cafe for the last 7 hours. I'm currently in Vienna, and I managed to see a lot of the city yesterday and I just wasn't in the mood to see anymore. Besides, I actually enjoyed being indoors and getting my fix of email, Facebook and catching up on TV shows. Will need to head off in an hour or so in order to catch my night train to Rome. But for now, since I have time to kill, and I've caught up on everything, I will blog. One last note, I know that my parents read this. A simple message to them: I am fine. There is nothing to worry about. I am the most cautious/paranoid person that anyone will ever meet (ask my friends). I am very responsible. I know how to take care of myself very well. And I will return home in less than a month safe and sound. On that note, let's begin the recount.
Showing posts with label Psych. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psych. Show all posts
Friday, 17 December 2010
Friday, 19 November 2010
I'd rather walk than wait...
Today was Day 24 (well technically yesterday since it's now 2am). I left the house quite late today, since there was a big commotion about Honours grades being released/emailed so I stayed for that, and chatted to all my psych friends who were online. Plus my clothes were still in the dryer so I needed to stay until that was done too. Didn't end up leaving the house until 1pm, which by then, the free tours had already begun so there was no point heading over there. Instead, since my cousin's place is very near the Louvre, I thought I'd go and check that out. Didn't go in though since the line was so long, plus I decided I should wait to get a museum pass so I can have entry into several museums for a cheaper price. Did the usual tourist thing and took some photos of those awesome glass pyramids.
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
Lab201 Crew, I will miss you...
Well it's the day after the thesis was due. To be honest, it's an odd feeling. I'm sitting at my computer and I don't feel guilty for being on Facebook. There's no sense of urgency anymore. There's just an empty feeling. For the past few weeks, my life has been all about the thesis, and now that it's gone, I feel so empty. Hahaha I doubt that this feeling will last, as I soon realise that Europe is coming up so soon.
The thing that I will miss most about Honours year is Lab201 and its motley crew. I can't believe I didn't end up joining this lab until second semester (not that I would have had room to test in first semester anyway). Either way, it's a shame that the whole bonding experience didn't occur until the last month of thesis writing. To think that in such a short period of time, everyone became such good friends. It certainly made the last month of intense stress more bearable. Just knowing that I wasn't the only one going through all that made it a lot easier. In particular, staying overnight with a lab full of people was definitely better than being there alone. If only we had been pulling all-nighters/weekenders earlier. We could have finished so much earlier!! Anyway, I'm sure we'll be keeping in touch. Our next gatherings will under less stressful circumstances (and we also won't be in PJ's lol). Much love to the 201 Crew!!
And although I'm finished with the thesis, I can't relax just yet. I have my interview for org psych at 9am on Thursday. So much for sleeping in. I'll be the guinea pig, since this is the first year that they're interviewing, and I'm the first interviewee. Hope it all goes well. But at least getting it done now, means I won't have to worry about anything once I'm in Europe. I'll just be eagerly refreshing my email in mid-November for the results of dentistry, and then again mid-December for the results of org psych. In the situation where I don't get either (which will be a depressing day), I might apply to do a Masters in Human Resources Management at USyd. Either way, it looks like I'll be studying next year. I just don't know what.
In terms of Europe, I now need to get a camera. My camera died. It was kind of symbolic. As soon as I was finished with my thesis, I took one last photo of my home (Lab Room 4) and then it vibrated in my hand and died. So I'll be needing to get a new camera. Possibly a laptop. Need to pack so much, and I have no winter clothing. Guess it's too late to buy any now, so I'll just have to buy it once I get there.
Anyways, I need to start researching org psych so that I'm prepared and awesome for my interview on Thursday. Plus I still need to find a restaurant for my farewell. Hahaha I'm kinda wishing I hadn't booked my flight to leave so soon after the thesis now.
HBL signing out.
The thing that I will miss most about Honours year is Lab201 and its motley crew. I can't believe I didn't end up joining this lab until second semester (not that I would have had room to test in first semester anyway). Either way, it's a shame that the whole bonding experience didn't occur until the last month of thesis writing. To think that in such a short period of time, everyone became such good friends. It certainly made the last month of intense stress more bearable. Just knowing that I wasn't the only one going through all that made it a lot easier. In particular, staying overnight with a lab full of people was definitely better than being there alone. If only we had been pulling all-nighters/weekenders earlier. We could have finished so much earlier!! Anyway, I'm sure we'll be keeping in touch. Our next gatherings will under less stressful circumstances (and we also won't be in PJ's lol). Much love to the 201 Crew!!
And although I'm finished with the thesis, I can't relax just yet. I have my interview for org psych at 9am on Thursday. So much for sleeping in. I'll be the guinea pig, since this is the first year that they're interviewing, and I'm the first interviewee. Hope it all goes well. But at least getting it done now, means I won't have to worry about anything once I'm in Europe. I'll just be eagerly refreshing my email in mid-November for the results of dentistry, and then again mid-December for the results of org psych. In the situation where I don't get either (which will be a depressing day), I might apply to do a Masters in Human Resources Management at USyd. Either way, it looks like I'll be studying next year. I just don't know what.
In terms of Europe, I now need to get a camera. My camera died. It was kind of symbolic. As soon as I was finished with my thesis, I took one last photo of my home (Lab Room 4) and then it vibrated in my hand and died. So I'll be needing to get a new camera. Possibly a laptop. Need to pack so much, and I have no winter clothing. Guess it's too late to buy any now, so I'll just have to buy it once I get there.
Anyways, I need to start researching org psych so that I'm prepared and awesome for my interview on Thursday. Plus I still need to find a restaurant for my farewell. Hahaha I'm kinda wishing I hadn't booked my flight to leave so soon after the thesis now.
HBL signing out.
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Almost over...
89 HOURS TO GO!!
As of this point, I've finished redrafting my intro and Expt1. Expt2 is taking a while since I had the whole idea of the rationale wrong, hence all my predictions and results are not worded correctly. Word count is a bit hard to say since everything is being redrafted, but a rough estimate for my intro and experiments (when it's done) should be around 10500. My discussion section is currently 800 words (although it might be more since my supervisor told me to move some stuff from my Expt2 into the general discussion).
Anyways, this weekend will one hectic ride. Planning to stay there Friday and Saturday nights to hopefully finish by Sunday evening. Actually not hopefully. I will finish by Sunday evening. Come Monday 4pm, I will officially have finished my degree. I will be a graduand!!
In other news, I have just found out that I will be having my interview for org psych before I fly out. They finally got back to me. But the good news is that I won't need to change my departure date!!
HBL signing out.
As of this point, I've finished redrafting my intro and Expt1. Expt2 is taking a while since I had the whole idea of the rationale wrong, hence all my predictions and results are not worded correctly. Word count is a bit hard to say since everything is being redrafted, but a rough estimate for my intro and experiments (when it's done) should be around 10500. My discussion section is currently 800 words (although it might be more since my supervisor told me to move some stuff from my Expt2 into the general discussion).
Anyways, this weekend will one hectic ride. Planning to stay there Friday and Saturday nights to hopefully finish by Sunday evening. Actually not hopefully. I will finish by Sunday evening. Come Monday 4pm, I will officially have finished my degree. I will be a graduand!!
In other news, I have just found out that I will be having my interview for org psych before I fly out. They finally got back to me. But the good news is that I won't need to change my departure date!!
HBL signing out.
Friday, 24 September 2010
Psych trumps dent...
Currently on 6000 words for my thesis, and it's due in 17 days. I'm starting to really freak out. I know I've left things to the last minute before, but this is just so major that it seems that there's a possibility that I might not finish in time. In order to get myself up to speed, I've imposed a mini-deadline, and told my supervisor that I would send him a completed intro by Sunday night. That gives me 48 hours to write another 3000 or so words, plus fix up my method and results.
Once that's all done by Sunday night, I should start studying for my two final exams on Wednesday and Thursday. The exam on OCD and PTSD should be OK. There's only two lectures to study. As for the exam for my elective, there's twelve or so articles to study, and memorise. And the annoying thing is that the article I presented won't be tested. But I guess with some solid study time, I should be able to get both these exams done with relative ease.
Then comes Friday. My interview for dentistry. I'm not really sure how to prepare for this. I've done a few interviews before, and the only one I can truly say that I was successful in, was my Yellow Shirt interview when I first got selected. I've failed at all other interviews. Not a very good track record. However, I do now have a lot more examples of initiative, leadership, communication and teamwork examples because of Yellow Shirts. Although, I'm not sure whether they'll appreciate constantly hearing about Yellow Shirts. But we'll see.
Being a dentist was something I'd always imagined myself doing. However, I just can't picture myself going through another four arduous years of study. But I guess it's nice to have options just in case org psych falls through. Dentist or organisational psychologist? I know I'd definitely prefer being a psychologist. I'll know the results of dentistry in early December, and the results of org psych in mid-December. That's gonna be a nerve-wracking few weeks for me. Luckily, I should be somewhere nice. I anticipate that I'll be somewhere in London at that time (or Lucerne, if I need to be Skyped for my interview). Either way, I'll be a lot happier when it's all over and I know with a bit more certainty what my future path is. Please give me at least one of them!!
HBL signing out.
Once that's all done by Sunday night, I should start studying for my two final exams on Wednesday and Thursday. The exam on OCD and PTSD should be OK. There's only two lectures to study. As for the exam for my elective, there's twelve or so articles to study, and memorise. And the annoying thing is that the article I presented won't be tested. But I guess with some solid study time, I should be able to get both these exams done with relative ease.
Then comes Friday. My interview for dentistry. I'm not really sure how to prepare for this. I've done a few interviews before, and the only one I can truly say that I was successful in, was my Yellow Shirt interview when I first got selected. I've failed at all other interviews. Not a very good track record. However, I do now have a lot more examples of initiative, leadership, communication and teamwork examples because of Yellow Shirts. Although, I'm not sure whether they'll appreciate constantly hearing about Yellow Shirts. But we'll see.
Being a dentist was something I'd always imagined myself doing. However, I just can't picture myself going through another four arduous years of study. But I guess it's nice to have options just in case org psych falls through. Dentist or organisational psychologist? I know I'd definitely prefer being a psychologist. I'll know the results of dentistry in early December, and the results of org psych in mid-December. That's gonna be a nerve-wracking few weeks for me. Luckily, I should be somewhere nice. I anticipate that I'll be somewhere in London at that time (or Lucerne, if I need to be Skyped for my interview). Either way, I'll be a lot happier when it's all over and I know with a bit more certainty what my future path is. Please give me at least one of them!!
HBL signing out.
Thursday, 23 September 2010
Back on the table...
Well there's been an interesting development. It appears that my heartfelt email has convinced the course convenor that it was indeed unfair to only announce the addition of a selections interview with such little notice. She has offerred me the opportunity to have an early interview. However, this doesn't guarantee anything, because I still need the marks to get shortlisted. Once I get shortlisted, there'll be another interview, possibly over the phone or Skype. Seems like there might be hope after all. Although depending on when the early interview is, I may need to push back my departure date a week or two, which I'm fine with just as long as I don't need to return to the country for an interview.
In other good news, I'm gonna be a Yellow Shirt again!! More fun times ahead!!
HBL signing out.
In other good news, I'm gonna be a Yellow Shirt again!! More fun times ahead!!
HBL signing out.
Possibly no future in psych...
I received horrible news yesterday. I found out org psych at UNSW now required an interview. I guess it wouldn't be anything that you would consider serious, but to me, this was a big part of my future plans. I was OK with not attending Macquarie interviews because I still at least had UNSW. But when it was announced that the system was changed, my world actually fell apart on the spot. The inital shock then became anger. They had known for so long, and yet only now did they decide to inform us of the change. I wouldn't have booked my flights if I had known I would have no postgrad psych options.
I was ruminating and venting to everyone who would listen. It just seems that with every step you take in psych, you're hit in the face with another restriction/obstacle. Sometimes I wish I had taken the Asian route and done a commerce degree. Sure I'd be conforming to the stereotype, but at least I'd have a job. But what's done is done. No point in counterfactual thinking. Let it be known that you should never drive angry/upset. You know how people say "I'm gonna go for a drive to clear my head and cool off"...yeah that doesn't work. If you're that angry, you will be ruminating, and your attention to your surroundings will be markedly decreased. Take it from me. I almost had three accidents yesterday on the way to and from work.
Coming home, I had a nice long vent to my mum. She suggested that I just fly out as planned but return in time for the interview. But I don't know how enjoyable my "holiday" would be if I knew I had to return for an interview. So who knows what's gonna happen. Do I still go or not? What's more important? A Eurotrip or a chance to do org psych? It's not even guaranteed which is what is so annoying. I can't plan my life around a maybe. Sometimes I wonder whether this is really worth it? How do I even know that being an org psych will make me happy in the future? It's all just wishful thinking at this point. Only time will tell.
A good night's sleep has helped clear my head immensely. The anger has subsided and is now replaced with my usual calm self. The thoughts of "what if" and "if only" are gone. Now it's more a matter of what can I do now. What is in my control? We'll see how this all pans out.
And yes, I do realise that this post is very angsty. But I'm an angsty person. And I don't cope well (not at first).
HBL signing out.
I was ruminating and venting to everyone who would listen. It just seems that with every step you take in psych, you're hit in the face with another restriction/obstacle. Sometimes I wish I had taken the Asian route and done a commerce degree. Sure I'd be conforming to the stereotype, but at least I'd have a job. But what's done is done. No point in counterfactual thinking. Let it be known that you should never drive angry/upset. You know how people say "I'm gonna go for a drive to clear my head and cool off"...yeah that doesn't work. If you're that angry, you will be ruminating, and your attention to your surroundings will be markedly decreased. Take it from me. I almost had three accidents yesterday on the way to and from work.
Coming home, I had a nice long vent to my mum. She suggested that I just fly out as planned but return in time for the interview. But I don't know how enjoyable my "holiday" would be if I knew I had to return for an interview. So who knows what's gonna happen. Do I still go or not? What's more important? A Eurotrip or a chance to do org psych? It's not even guaranteed which is what is so annoying. I can't plan my life around a maybe. Sometimes I wonder whether this is really worth it? How do I even know that being an org psych will make me happy in the future? It's all just wishful thinking at this point. Only time will tell.
A good night's sleep has helped clear my head immensely. The anger has subsided and is now replaced with my usual calm self. The thoughts of "what if" and "if only" are gone. Now it's more a matter of what can I do now. What is in my control? We'll see how this all pans out.
And yes, I do realise that this post is very angsty. But I'm an angsty person. And I don't cope well (not at first).
HBL signing out.
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Uncertainty's a bitch...
I've now got 4500 words of my thesis done, which is my method and results section completed for both experiments plus a little bit for intro. Progress is painstakingly slow. I really wish I found my topic interesting, so it would make writing it up so much easier. Staying at uni til 9 tonight to try and get more words down on paper.
But at the end of it all, what do I get? I get a single degree for four years of study. There's so much emphasis on having that degree. And then there's the need for a postgrad degree as well. If I were brave, I would just venture out into the world with only my Bachelor's degree and see where that takes me. It's been drummed into my head since that very first day of uni that I need that Masters degree. Well if I need it so badly, why not just make it a 6 year degree then? Why make it so that not everyone who starts the road to psychology can finish it? To me, this is a stupid system, and one that has given me so much grief over the past few months.
Right now, my only option is Masters of Organisation Psychology at UNSW since Macquarie doesn't conduct interviews over Skype. But what if I don't make it? I will only find out whether I'm in or out in mid-December and by then, all of the applications for grad positions are closed anyway. Not that I could apply anyway given that I'll be somewhere in Europe. But nevertheless, the whole uncertainty of the road to registration as a psychologist is something that annoys me so much.
But whatever happens happens. I'm not a big enough person to say that I won't rant and rage if I don't make it, because I know I will. That's just how I am. Anger management is not one of my strong points. And it will take me a while to get over it. But eventually I'll be able to move on from it, by justifying that I never really wanted to a Masters degree in the first place. But hopefully, it all works out for the best. If not, I'll still have my back-up option of dentistry (assuming I can get into that).
HBL signing out.
But at the end of it all, what do I get? I get a single degree for four years of study. There's so much emphasis on having that degree. And then there's the need for a postgrad degree as well. If I were brave, I would just venture out into the world with only my Bachelor's degree and see where that takes me. It's been drummed into my head since that very first day of uni that I need that Masters degree. Well if I need it so badly, why not just make it a 6 year degree then? Why make it so that not everyone who starts the road to psychology can finish it? To me, this is a stupid system, and one that has given me so much grief over the past few months.
Right now, my only option is Masters of Organisation Psychology at UNSW since Macquarie doesn't conduct interviews over Skype. But what if I don't make it? I will only find out whether I'm in or out in mid-December and by then, all of the applications for grad positions are closed anyway. Not that I could apply anyway given that I'll be somewhere in Europe. But nevertheless, the whole uncertainty of the road to registration as a psychologist is something that annoys me so much.
But whatever happens happens. I'm not a big enough person to say that I won't rant and rage if I don't make it, because I know I will. That's just how I am. Anger management is not one of my strong points. And it will take me a while to get over it. But eventually I'll be able to move on from it, by justifying that I never really wanted to a Masters degree in the first place. But hopefully, it all works out for the best. If not, I'll still have my back-up option of dentistry (assuming I can get into that).
HBL signing out.
Friday, 17 September 2010
Dear Diary...
Blogging is strangely addictive. I was never one to keep a diary or anything, but I can now understand why people do it. It's not like anything interesting has happened but having somewhere to write your thoughts seems to be quite therapeutic.
Just finished my presentation for today, so that means I have no more assessments (apart from two final exams) until the thesis is due. Aiming to get my intro, method, results and mini-discussion done for Experiment 2 today. We'll see if that actually ends up happening though. Most likely, I'll get halfway through and then reward myself for working so studiously with a Facebook break (which will last for hours). Or maybe I'll just post on this blog.
Currently at uni now, and I'm all dressed up since I have a party to get to tonight. It's weird to be wearing such dressy clothes to uni. I keep getting looks from randoms. But the compliments from friends are worth it. OK I have four hours before I should leave for dinner. Time to get serious!!
HBL signing out.
Just finished my presentation for today, so that means I have no more assessments (apart from two final exams) until the thesis is due. Aiming to get my intro, method, results and mini-discussion done for Experiment 2 today. We'll see if that actually ends up happening though. Most likely, I'll get halfway through and then reward myself for working so studiously with a Facebook break (which will last for hours). Or maybe I'll just post on this blog.
Currently at uni now, and I'm all dressed up since I have a party to get to tonight. It's weird to be wearing such dressy clothes to uni. I keep getting looks from randoms. But the compliments from friends are worth it. OK I have four hours before I should leave for dinner. Time to get serious!!
HBL signing out.
Thursday, 16 September 2010
I refuse to change my plans...
Showed up late to my tute today whilst they were in the middle of a discussion about moving the final exam to after the thesis is due. No way was I gonna let this happen when I'm due to fly out the week after I hand in my thesis. Why would you not discuss the idea of moving the exam when the tutor told us about the exam six weeks ago? Why wait til now (when my travel plans are set)? Obviously I objected to the idea of a change in date, although I wasn't the only one. Got a few death stares. If it's not unanimous, it's not changing. That was the deal. You didn't even get the majority. Deal with it.
HBL signing out.
HBL signing out.
Wednesday, 15 September 2010
You don't scare me...
So the travel agent got back to me today. Couldn't match my quote of $280 from iTrek and offered $400 as their best price. However they then tried to scare me with a $250 administration fee, saying that if a third party insurer ever contacted them for documentation/information, then I would be slugged with this ridiculous fee. Being the resourceful person that I am, I promptly emailed iTrek about this issue, and they said that wouldn't need to contact the travel agent if I had photocopies of my tickets. Dodgy travel agent trying to scare me into purchasing my insurance from them. Simply dodgy.
In other news, Macquarie Uni got back to me about their org psych program, and unfortunately they wouldn't be conducting Skype interviews. Looks like my only option now for org psych is UNSW. No pressure.
HBL signing out.
In other news, Macquarie Uni got back to me about their org psych program, and unfortunately they wouldn't be conducting Skype interviews. Looks like my only option now for org psych is UNSW. No pressure.
HBL signing out.
Tuesday, 14 September 2010
A way to procrastinate...
Editing and posting on this blog is a great way to procrastinate. Same with planning a holiday. My thesis sits unopened on my desktop, feeling neglected.
At the moment, in terms of travel plans, I've got my ticket booked and that's it. I haven't even sorted out my accommodation at my uncle's place in Switzerland but I assume it's all good. Still waiting on an email regarding travel insurance from the travel agent to see whether she can match the quote of $280 that I got from iTrek. It's been ages. But if she matches the price I have, then that's a saving of $370 since she initially quoted me $650. Dodgy. As for my travels around Europe, I bought "Lonely Planet: Europe on a Shoestring" online which should be enough to direct me to all the good sites. Finally got dispatched yesterday. Here's hoping that it arrives before I fly out (which it should, otherwise it's the worst delivery company ever).
And at the moment, it looks like I might be travelling with a Texan who is also travelling solo, whom I met on CouchSurfers (great website for finding other travellers and finding hosts to show you around). Sending my Texan cousins over to check him out, but it should be all good. Anyways, that appears to be all that I've done to prepare for my trip so far. Here is a checklist of things I need to have done before I fly out:
HBL signing out (still) from Sydney, Australia.
At the moment, in terms of travel plans, I've got my ticket booked and that's it. I haven't even sorted out my accommodation at my uncle's place in Switzerland but I assume it's all good. Still waiting on an email regarding travel insurance from the travel agent to see whether she can match the quote of $280 that I got from iTrek. It's been ages. But if she matches the price I have, then that's a saving of $370 since she initially quoted me $650. Dodgy. As for my travels around Europe, I bought "Lonely Planet: Europe on a Shoestring" online which should be enough to direct me to all the good sites. Finally got dispatched yesterday. Here's hoping that it arrives before I fly out (which it should, otherwise it's the worst delivery company ever).
And at the moment, it looks like I might be travelling with a Texan who is also travelling solo, whom I met on CouchSurfers (great website for finding other travellers and finding hosts to show you around). Sending my Texan cousins over to check him out, but it should be all good. Anyways, that appears to be all that I've done to prepare for my trip so far. Here is a checklist of things I need to have done before I fly out:
- Finish the thesis
- Finish applications for postgrad courses
- Sell Bon Jovi ticket (any takers?)
- Borrow a spare netbook/laptop from someone so I can Skype and blog easily using wifi
- Buy winter clothing
- Sort out accommodation with my uncle
- Organise my farewell dinner
- Sort out whether I need to buy snow gear or I can just borrow
HBL signing out (still) from Sydney, Australia.
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