Reading back

I was reading my posts from long ago, back when this blog was less than 6 months old and I have to admit I had more direction before than from where I am now. It has been 6 months for me working and I am enjoying my work. I learn something new every day.

I see now at a larger view a working computer network where a thousand computer are communicating with one another compared to my previous concept of a network during my 145 class where 12 computers where wired and only a chat application was being used. Before, I took for granted putting SQL statements together. It didn't really matter how long the statement was as long as it is working but now I find out that there is such a thing as Query Tuning so that queries would run faster and thus increase the performance of an application. Before, I can build an application in 2-3 weeks but now I realize how limited the functionality of my applications where. It takes 2-3 years to build a decent application and it would need constant releases of updates and regular maintainance to make users happy.

Aside from technical work, I learn to deal with people. I meet with people in the office, work with developers and deal with key users, meet with application owners, and handle change managers. Put this in a global scale and you get to meet people with different work habits, different accents, different cultures, different ways of seeing things. Every once in a while, you get to appreciate the beauty of a global business and the advantages of seeing things at a bigger whole and see the how much you can affect change in that.

Really, I have learned a lot from this short period of time. But I want to get involved in something outside of work - a sport, a volunteer group or something that I have interest. I want to do something different outside of work. Something that is on a smaller scale but I don't know yet. I tried doing that inside the office but I am still playing a role too small to really make an impact and besides, I don't want to be limited to HP alone.

Reading back, I remember how much of a visionary I was. I had a lot of dreams. I still do have those though, but it is somehow blurred. I guess it is because I have always found people who could realize those dreams for me. Now, it is either I realize those dreams on my own (which I don't think I can) or find people who have similar dreams as mine and see if we can work something out.

I remember my mission-vision statement before: To guide, inspire and empower myself and my circle of infuence in order to create a relationship of growth, understanfing, excitement & fun. This was the first draft of that mission-vision statement I made during the Team Building we had for the council when I saw myself a bringer of sides. I guess it is time to build on that 2nd draft now because I have a larger range of possibilites.

I also have my 10 dreams that would fulfill my mission:
1. Fix my biological time clock. [check]
2. Graduate on time. [check]
3. Build a house for my family in a nice village.
4. Thank people that have influenced & helped me in my life. [in the process]
5. Be a smiling face & a listening ear. [loosing this one]
6. Solidify CS department and students. [wait and see status]
7. Pursue higher studies on something that would have impact on Philippine society.
8. Build a forest; be part of an environment advocacy
9. Become a teacher or professor.
10. Build that scholarship program.

2 out of 10. Not bad in just a year. I guess it is also time to update this dream list. I have to do something to remind me of these goals of mine...

I hope reading back on my blogs and papers will put me in a better direction much like if not better than what I had before. Wish me luck!