The Construct

I so swear that, when I get to have kids, I wouldn’t scrimp out on their health. Given the possibility that I might give them some of my crappy genes, at least I’d owe it to them to make sure that they will be in tip-top health.

My folks used to think that dental work (braces and such) were just for. Frustrating to have to deal with these issues now that I’m 26 and paying for, I don’t know, 20 times more today for stop-gap treatments.

Last Friday, I had to undergo a minor operation to get one of my impacted molars out. I have four but my age and the complicated placement of that molar made it quite a tricky process.

I used to think that root canal therapy is one of the most uncomfortable things that a dentist can do to you. Found out that was wrong. At least in my case. Having that impacted molar out was the worst experience of my life, well, at least physically. And I already broke an arm.

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Would you look at that. It’s May already. A third of the year’s done. How quickly time flies. And surely, the first four months of 2010 hasn’t been without occasion.

I have to be really thankful that I’ve finally bagged my master’s degree. I actually consider it my consuelo de bobo as many of my friends are now living my shitty pipe dream of being a lawyer. No point in wallowing in self-pity. It took me five years but, at least, MA’s in the bag.

I haven’t really broadcasted it yet outside my friends (and through Facebook) but the bigger thing that’s happened to me so far is that the Dearest and I are engaged. Yup. Wedding bells a ringin’. As for the wedding date, it’s still yet to be determined. It’s going to be a long engagement but at least we’re one step closer to being together.

Now these leave me with the future to take on. It’s quite tricky really. UP wants me back full time. But going back means pursuing years of study for a PhD and getting a PhD means a life sentence to the academe. Quite honestly, I haven’t really figured if I want that.

For now, my motivation is preparing for the future especially with the financial part. Married life isn’t a joke. I wasn’t really able to maximize my money-making efforts working on my MA for the past five years. Now that’s done, maybe now I can.

One of the final touches a thesis writer puts on his thesis is the acknowledgements page. I find it interesting how many others (particularly the undergraduates) find it so sentimental to express their gratitude to people. And I do understand.

Much like long-winded Academy Awards acceptance speeches, acknowledgement pages would list all the people the writer considers “instrumental” (even those very remotely instrumental) to writing their thesis, religious deity, parents, siblings, clan members, advisers, panelists, teachers, lovers, friends, and pets included.

In my case, unlike my 150-page exposition, my acknowledgements page is made up of only a few lines. Just about a third in length of my BA thesis’ ack page. And I can think of a number of possible reasons why but I can’t pinpoint the exact one.

Maybe it’s the nature of the study. The graduate degree is basically “optional” and it isn’t what I would consider my “greatest achievement to date.”

Maybe it’s because there aren’t really many people who helped me finish my degree in the first place.

Maybe it’s my own devolution as a social creature for the past five years. God knows that many of the people I thanked in my BA thesis aren’t my friends any more.

Still, I feel that I have to give credit where credit’s due. That even if I refer to some people in vague generalities, my heartfelt thanks will always be sincere.

March 26. 2010. A day which will not live in infamy. At least in my book.

Today, I got my approval sheet signed by my adviser. After five long years and fucked-up repugnant adversity, my graduate degree’s practically in the bag.

Today, I guided two students to successfully defend their undergraduate thesis.

Today, my best friends Jason (and Cheska, couple’s package deal :p) and Felai got the results that they passed the bar examinations.

Tomorrow would be one of those days when we can all pause and say, “This is the first day of the rest of our lives.”

To these special people, congratulations.