A NEW SEASON

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeah! Finally, I've had the chance to update this blog. Surprisingly, I get to upload one entry per month. Am I that busy? The answer is ABSOLUTELY YES!

A new season in Melbourne has begun. It’s already Autumn; Americans call it "Fall." Having said this, I’ve already started to feel (and combat) the “freezing” and “windy” weather. In fact, just two weeks ago, I had the “privilege” to experience, in a “pre” or “teaser” state, the upcoming winter season. But since it’s just Autumn, its best to savour the “not-so-cold-yet” days before the harassing winter comes in June, which apparently is my birthday month and so I’m hoping not to get sick in that time. I admit that I’m not used to a cold weather and so I’m now preparing for the “worse” possible “freezing” scenario in the upcoming days.

However, if there's any consolation that one can get from this cold weather is to enjoy the diverse and unique Autumn/Winter fachion of the people. It's in here that you can play around with "layering." In my case, I'm fine with a scarf and a jacket. I guess a gloves will come handy, soon. At the moment, I'm pretty much satisfied with "layering" a shirt and a jacket. 

Truth be told, there are things that I want to share (to vent out, actually) which I’ve experienced for the past days. While I am consistent with my research, I realize that I’m “stressing” myself. To say the word “stress” is an understatement. Perhaps it’s more of “hara-kiri” (yeah, that much?). With a self-imposed deadline, I am pushing myself too much to finish essays and meet submissions. Apparently, a stressful life or not giving myself enough rest is not good for me. In the end, I just end up grappling with writing. And so I’ve decided to take some days off for a few days, which happened over the Holy Week or holidays.

What’s with the stress?

ENGAGEMENT

Wow! I've been so busy for the past month that I haven't updated this blog for a month now. As usual, I was busy with researching, reading, synthesizing, writing, and meeting with my supervisor on my PhD Research. On a lighter note, I've been busy as well with my "offline" world which I somehow present to the world by updating my Facebook account. I've been uploading pictures in my FB page and I've been Instagramming loads to keep everyone posted witn my adventures here in Melbourne.

I've been enjoying adventurous and exciting life here in Melbourne. I couldn't deny that. And for those who have been following my Facebook page, yes, you can feel that vibe! In fact, in the past month, apart from working in my new office, I've been going out as well with my friends (old and new). On a different story, was I dating for the past month? you'd be the judge. *wink wink*

MOVING IN, MOVING ON!

Hey, hey, hey! It's been a while since I posted something on this blog. A lot of things have happened in the past weeks and obviously I've been so busy, well, up to this point. But I'm taking a break in reading a pile of books and journals for my PhD research because I want to update you my dears readers.

One of the highlights in my life for the past weeks is the "moving in" to a new place. Finally, after weeks of house hunting, which I find so interesting and disappointing at some point, I've found a house near my University. Way way cheaper compared to the room that I rented for the past two months, the room that I've signed up is near Monash University (Caulfield) and it's homey.

Did I say disappointing? For real. I found a house which looks like a haunted house with a creepy landlord. I also found another house which is about to fall. Coolness right? On to my story!

LIFE OF E!

How's everyone? Last night I went out with some of my friends to catch the movie Life of Pi. It was a spontaneous activity we agreed upon as to not only socialize but to relax as well; we just need to veer away from the pressure of Postgrad studies.

Unimaginably, on the 22nd of January will be (officially) the second month of my stay in Melbourne. Happy 2nd monthsary to me! Yey! Can you believe that? Oh well. I must say that in the span of almost two months, I've come to a point of (inevitably) missing my family and friends. In fact, I miss my friends and somehow (simple) lifestyle in Brunei. There are just days that I'll wake up and think of my family and friends. I guess the laid back and serene (paired with the cold breeze) environment contribute to the feeling of nostalgia.

Anyways before I cry because of homesickness (don't worry, it won't happen soon), I would like to talk about, yes, The Life of E! Yes, E! as for Earvs or Earvin Charles (that's me.) And before I blabber about my sentiments let me share with you all my encounter with the movie, The Life of Pi.

IT'S 2013 AND WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO!

Yey! It's my first post of the year. Thank God, I've finally had the time  to update this blog. As you all know, my schedule has been so tight for the past weeks (I guess yours too) because of the holiday season. Positively, despite being away with my family and friends, I'm able to celebrate Christmas and welcome 2013 with a bang!

Speaking of a "bang," well, last week, I posted my New Year's resolution. Upon review of what I listed, I can say that everything's achievable this year (really? like diet?). One of my priorities for this year is to "basically" and "must" get my confirmation for my PhD Candidacy. At the moment, I am (same with first year PhD Students here at Monash) in a Probationary status, and so I'm labelled as a "PhD Student." Once I get my confirmation, I'll qualify as a PhD Candidate. And as they say, that's the tough and rough part commences. But since I'm still on the probationary status, it's better (as recommended by my supervisors) to settle down and read as much as I can. Of course, once my candidacy is confirmed, yeah, well, uhm, okay, let's see.

HIGHLIGHTS IN 2012

It has been a tradition for me to look back on the "positive" highlights of the passing year. For 2012, I can say that I've been blessed with bountiful surprises from God. Not only that I got what I've always wanted (to do a PhD Overseas with a scholarship), but I've been showered with loads of surprises since January of this year.

Before I proceed with my goals for 2013, let me share with you the goals that I set in 2012. So far, Im proud to say that I achieved what I envisioned.

EMO-EMOTIONS!

Let me take a respite from the line-up of books and journals that I have to read. Allow me to share with you some of my sentiments on my third week in Melbourne.

I am happy that I'm surrounded with great people who has been helping me to adjust in Melbourne. First of all, there's the presence of my co-Filipino scholars in Melbourne. Second, I've met Leo, a friend of Ms. Jing and Sir Joey, my "nanay-nanayan and tatay-tatayan in Brunei; Leo toured me in some amazing places in Melbourne city. And lastly, I have Ben, a close friend, who has been so patient in assisting and touring me around. On the other hand, homesickess sometimes kicks in. Thankfully, I know how to manage it.

ON TO MY SECOND WEEK

Tomorrow will be my second week in Australia. So far, I'm enjoying my stay in this lovely country. It seems that everything's readily available and organized. Of course, I still miss the Philippines, my home country. But thanks to technology, I can watch news over the Internet.

For the past days, I've been, well, coping with the Australian accent. In my recent Facebook posts, I shared some funny encounters, which I personally feel and think "crazy." Positively, through listening to Australia's radio stations, conversing with my supervisor and some co-PhDs and meeting locals, I'm now able to understand the "twang!" On one hand, I sometimes really don't get what the other person says. I just answer back with, "I'm sorry?"

A NEW WORLD TO EXPLORE, MELBOURNE!

Just last week I arrived here in Melbourne. If you've been flollowing my life (if following is even relevant to counterfeiting the end of the world, chos!), you already know that I moved out of the Abode of Peace and moved in here in Land down under, yes, Australia.

Weeks before packing my bag and saying goodbye to my family and friends, I was preoccupied with what to bring in order to survive in Australia. With an understanding that this time of the year in Australia as said to be in summer season, I was confident to bring clothes fit for a "warm" weather. On one hand, I also brought some warmer just in case the weather slams me with a cool surprise.

TOURING THAILAND: TEMPLE VISIT!

Finally I'm back in my blog. Before I proceed with my "late" post on my adventures in Thailand, let me tell you that I already moved in Australia. I will be here in Melbourne to do my PhD for the next 3 years. And with my visa, I'm allowed to stay for another 10 months after I finished my PhD. Having said that, I'll be really staying for long in this vibrant and lovely city. Seriously, I'm in awe with Melbourne's beauty. I'm not only inspired to do my research here, but I'm also excited to explore Melbourne.

Going back to my Thailand adventure, yes, this is a late post, I was in Thailand last October 25 to 28 for a 3-day Conference on Media and Communication. I presented my paper on OFW Blogging in the Conference organized by Asian Congress for Media and Communication. Well attended by scholars all over the world, the conference was held in Chulalongkorn University.

Apart from putting my heart into the conference, I also had a grand time walking around in selected temples, experiencing Bangkok's night life, shopping for souvenirs, bargaining, dining with Thai's irresistible delights, riding the tuktuk, and a lot more. So in this post, I will share to you a short chronicle of my fast yet fun-filled adventures.

TRIP TO THAILAND: CONFERENCE ON MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION

Last week I was in Bangkok Thailand for a 3-day conference on Media and Communication, organized by the Asian Congress for Media and Communication. I presented my paper entitled “Blogging Away from Home: Blogs as Discursive Platforms for Empowerment among Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) Bloggers. I was also tasked to chair the New Media and Education session in the said academic gathering.

I didn’t expect that I will extremely enjoy my stay in Bangkok. In my mind, apart from being focused to properly present my research in an International conference, I couldn’t see myself on the streets of the Land of Smiles as with he conference’s tight schedule. Surprisingly, I found a way to experience the wonders on Bangkok, in broad daylight and at night. Thanks to newly-found friends in Bangkok, I gained lots of unforgettable experiences around Thailand.