my life.... my plans... my everything 10 years from now...

Hello everyone!

It’s about 06:53 in the morning!

This topic is really tough knowing that it deals with my future; I had to come up with 3000 words (sir peace!).When I was about to write my reflections on this topic, the song “impossible dream” was in the air (what a coincidence!). The lines were “to dream the impossible dream……..” (hayz, is this for real?)

Let me talk about my experiences on how I land as an information technology student here in usep. (In every future, there is always a past… hehehe, sir peace! )

When I was still in high school, I was really unsure of what course I am going to take in college, I must admit that computing was really not my strong point or one of my strengths. I was undecided. I had my sleepless nights and all I did was thinking about what course I am going to take knowing that I am the one who will make or break my future. It all depends on me. In short, it is I who will be making my own life.

Honestly speaking, it is my classmates in high school brought me to Info Tech. they said, in usep, info tech is good (good? hehehe). I took the risk, not knowing what awaits me there. during the interview (actually it was sir val quimno who interviewed me) in IC, sir val asked me “why usep?”,”why info tech?” Why usep? I answered simply that usep produce quality and globally competitive graduates and I want to be one of those, my parents also have graduated in this university, they adviced me to enroll here, the tuition fee is also cheap. then why information technology? again, i answered, info tech will bring out the best in me.

Gladly I passed; I was really shocked and surprised on what info tech really is. When I looked at the prospectus of my course, I really do not know or I do not have any idea on those major subjects in my chose course! (tagam!)

Many mind-boggling questions filled my mind, whether I am sure with the course or am I willing to risk my future in this course and so on. So, I have decided to pursue Info Tech, whatever it takes, I have started it already, there’s no turning back (bantay bitaw!).

During my first year in this course, it went well, until the end of that semester, a tragic incident came into my life. I failed in one subject (that’s algebra!), that was a big slap on my face. It was the first time that I failed in a subject. I was so down that time that I was able to punch the wall of the engineering building without even feeling the hurt in my hand. I have been crying all night, that I kneeled down and I asked God what’s the purpose of my failure, asked Him to give me the strength and courage to overcome my failure. So I did overcome it, as they say “you can not go on well in life until you let go of your past failures”. I was able to pass algebra without taking the removal examination of Mam Maui (ONE of my favorite teachers in IC, yes! Really! We’re friends in friendster!)


In my programming subjects, I failed once (courtesy of Sir Ariel, Sir Peace again!)
But I conquer it (I have no choice but I have to pass the subject in order for me to still stay with IC), I passed Programming 1 with again Mam Maui around, she was also my teacher in Programming 2, I passed again (Mam Maui na gud!). But in my Programming III, at that time I got tired with what’s going on with my life. I was so frustrated with the subject, I almost failed, for the reasons that I am so tired with the subject, my classmates have no hopes if they can still pass it, they planned to shift to other course or some of them planned to transfer to other schools. And with that, my project in midterm failed, that Mam Teng (my instructor that time) told me about it without hesitation. I was so sensitive, very down that time but I refused to give up; I’ll give it one more shot, so, during our final project, I was able to finish my project on time and presented it to Mam Teng and Sir Michael. Gladly I passed. What else do I have to tell?
Honestly, I am really happy that I never failed for 4 consecutive semesters, so right now (though I’m one year behind) I’m a 3rd year regular Info Tech student in IC.

Last semester, during our Accounting subject, we were grouped by 4, we were tasked to do a simple accounting system. We are all girls in the group (Sheryl Caguimbaga, Cherry Ann Montejo, Mary Rossini Diamante and yours truly). That time I felt that our teacher (without mentioning the name) underestimated my group knowing that all the other groups are really good in making and developing a system (most of them are boys who are really good! No doubt about it!). I was challenged by the way our teacher treated us and the situation itself. So I talked to my team members about it, I assigned them to do the design and the documents in MIS and Accounting, and I will do the rest. I took the challenge, I expect the unexpected to happen, after the analysis, documents and design had already been done, it’s my turn to work. I must admit that I really had a difficult time doing the system knowing that the deadline is fast-approaching. For me, nothing can hinder me to do what I have to do. So, before the deadline, I was able to finish it and actually prepared for the presentation. Again the quote “expect the unexpected” prevailed. I was then shocked that our instructor admired what we have done with our system. Some of my classmates were not able to finish the system. At that time, my confidence boost to the highest level. If the boys can do it, the girls can do it also.
my classmates would always tell me stuffs like “you’re good!”, ”you have a good future in IT!”. It’s a really a humbling feeling (and also a pressure to me, hehehe) that other people would tell me these things. But what really matters to me is that I have tried and have given my best in everything I do.
And on my part, if my fellow ICEAN students (most especially to those students who underestimate their selves) will give their best and tried in everything they do, they will also succeed and conquer their fears in their respective subjects. As they say, “not everything is meant to be but everything is worth a try”.

Now, after the long story of my life in IC, I will lay my plans on who am I 10 years from now, and worthy of being called an IT professional. Frankly speaking, I really wanted to work in Hollywood not as an Actress or a Singer (though I also know how to sing), but I want to collaborate with the best people who work for movies making great special effects and animations (I think Universal Studios is the place to be). I am great fan of James Bond, and the special effects are really great! Plus the action moves of the actors in the movie or what I mean is the exciting fight scenes. Just yesterday I watched DIE ANOTHER DAY (a James Bond movie), I really love the car of Mr. Bond (which it was given to Him), why? One of its feature is it has the camouflage effect (we all know what camouflage is, right?). The tire of the car has spikes, meaning, it can crawl and stick in the walls like Spiderman do. Someday, I could have that one (hopefully! If I’ll study well and stick with my plans). Why do I want to collaborate with those people in Universal Studios? Personally, I really want to learn from them, I may have creative things on my mind but nothing compares to them, with their years of experiences with their chosen career. But being a member in Universal Studios means that I am receiving big salary (but with the economic crisis happening in the US, big pa rin kaya?) Anyway, most Filipinos dreamed of becoming rich (with the crisis we are in nowadays, who the hell are those people who don’t want to be rich? Right?). On my part, nothing compares of earning money in my own way, my own efforts and as the tagalong quote “sariling pawis”. I myself is in indulge in business right now, I had experienced in doing computer services, tutorials in computer or even in Math subjects. Also, I would like to share to my fellow officemates in US (Universal Studios) one of the things that I have learned here that will truly make a great impact to them, the Green Campus Computing. Knowing that we are the great contributors on the Global Warming (or the energy we use) and also the usage of Free and Open Source Software.

Anyway going back on the topic (where did I go?), after being known in the Hollywood as one of the most brilliant ones (hehehehe) and after giving pride and honor to our country, one of my plans is to go back to my country, here in the Philippines. I (10 years from now), armed with the knowledge learned from Universal Studios and experiences outside the country, I’d like to bring Universal Studios here in the Philippines by planning to put up a company (same as Universal Studios but not to compete with them, maybe a friendly competition, hehehe) that will give opportunities to my fellow Filipino people express and show their talents. The company will collaborate with the Television Networks here in the Philippines (The Kapuso and the Kapamilya etc.) and we as Filipino people will show to the world that we Filipinos can do what the other countries can do in the field of special effects and animations. After that, since nowadays, outsourcing is the new trend here in the Philippines; when we say Outsourcing, it is the process of contracting computer center operations, telecommunications, networks or application development to external vendors. My company would also be called as a solution center, where we provide the clients with repeatable or reusable processes, models, and architectures for solving common information system problems. Our works can be outsourced. Probably with my connections in other countries, or maybe Kate Mariel who is in Japan and working as an IT consultant there(based on here blog) would suggest to her company if they can outsource their system (malay ba natin,diba?).

Also one of my plans (since I have a lot of experiences and I am a certified expert on this field) is to share my knowledge with other people (not chitchats or whatever). First on my list, I want to share it with the USEP community, not just with my co-ICEANS but also to other students that are really interested in my field of work. Share to them my knowledge in Green Campus Computing and Free and Open Source Software which I have learned during my college years (assuming that I have graduated already!)
And I want also to train them (with my whole commitment) in my own company, so, USEP, be ready! And as long as there are people who are interested with my field of work, I will be there, providing them training and opportunity (based on my experience in applying in a call center….hmmp! I have learned my lesson! I won’t do what they did to me! That sucks! ), it is still up to them (people who are interested) if they’ll grab the opportunity or not. In addition, I would want to train teachers in public schools on how to use technology with the way they’ll be teaching. In other words, I’ll suggest to them, incorporating technology with education to enhance their ability to teach and be able to encourage their students to study or simply to listen and learn from their lessons in different way. Because based on my observations nowadays, children are into technology and children can understand and retain new lessons more quickly if it is attached or anchored to a material which is exciting to them or visually attractive to them. The teachers can explain lessons using Animes or Cartoons (of course, the Animations are done by my company, ahaha). My idea would be my company can collaborate with the Philippine Government right? My visions may not be as the same as the others but what I have in mind right now is to help other people, in that way, I am able to provide the opportunities or I will be opening the doors to reach their dreams and also on my part I am able to reach my dreams also (not just rich in money but also in the sociological and emotional aspect of myself). This may sound funny, but this is what I want to be.

Now that I have laid my visions in life or who am I going to be 10 years from now, the next question would be “how am I going to do that?”

As what I have remembered, Sir Randy (during his homily last November 24) brings in the idea of SWOT (an acronym that means STRENGTH, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES, THREATS). The acronym above will lead me on how am I going to achieve.

Well then, let’s start with the letter S-Strength. When we say strength, it is where we are good at, attitude, ability or skills. My strengths (hmmm..) first, I am optimistic. Optimism
Or being positive all through out is what I have. I am a type of person that never gives up on anything, just like my team in PBA (the fact that I really love watching and even playing basketball) the “walang kamatayang” Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings, they have this motto “never say die”. Even if there star player a.k.a Mark Caguioa is not around, they still battle out with all their best. Just like in my life, I’ve gone through a lot, ever since during my grade school years up to now. These were really tough problems (not to mention it, I’ll post it on my blog,hehehehe) and I never thought I’d be encountering those. Nowadays, it takes a lot of patience and courage to look or find for a job, but if you give up that easily, then you’re a loser. I do not want to be called a loser. I believe that life is accompanied with problems, challenges whether it may be small or big rocks but for me, those rocks will make strong and tough, it has its own purpose and will be my climbing tool to reach my goals in life. And that’s on my first strength! Next would be, I am willing to know and learn new things or venturing in to something new or I am open to something new. Of course, in this fast pace digital world, everything is changing, from diskettes to USB or CD, from desktops to laptops and even viruses in our PC’s. They say nothing is constant except change, right? On my personal side, I love listening to other people because when you listen you will be able to learn something new from them or learn something from their experiences. Also, I love to venture in to something new. Actually, I am into business right now. I am into direct selling, this type of selling is not my specialty, but I just want to try it, conquer my shyness and some other insecurities.
Of course with the guidance of my parents who are also in to business.
I just have to enumerate the rest. I am a risk-taker, knowing that life is also a matter of risks. It is just an issue of guts and how do you look at your problems. And lastly, I love to conquer my fears just like in Pinoy Fear Factor. Actually, there are lots of what if’s on my mind, but I simply ask myself, how am I going to solve those what if’s if I won’t try to work on it or even deal with it? Finally, one attitude I am truly proud of, I know how to “makisama” with other people.

Anyway, let me point out my weakness. As of this time,My shyness is the primary factor. Right now, I am going out of my shell, taking one step at a time (though there are times that I am shy at first but as time goes by there goes the confident Mariechelle, ahahahah). Then

Let me go now to the opportunities, well, there are lots of opportunities when it comes to IT, specifically in other countries, as what the news said, Australia needs IT professionals. Even here in the Philippines, there are also opportunities. As what I have remembered, during our company visit with MyndTech Management Services, they do outsourcing and they emphasized that people do not need to be away from their families to earn or go to abroad. But here goes the threats, because of the in demand of IT, there will be competition among individuals just like in nursing, they were overpopulated and other countries does not need nurses anymore and lastly, as what Sir Randy said, CHED did not expect that outsourcing will boom in our country, I think the threat here is the UNEXPERIENCE of the individuals. I myself am agreeing with this.

On my part, I still have lots of things to improve on myself, not just in academic view but also in my personality and attitude. On the academic side, as of this time, I want to give my best in all of my subjects. Since I am a frustrated animator, I would not give up and will take the initiative to explore the softwares available in the internet (just like blender, and it is an open-source software), join forums that discusses those topics, be indulged in seminars, ask questions to my classmates who knows about it and lastly never stop learning. And many more!

To end this, I just want to make a statement: “our future will always depend on our decisions today, so plan and prepare ahead of time, of course be prepared for the consequences or the problems that you will be encountering. Dream what you have to dream; be what you want to be, because you only have one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do!” God Bless Everyone!