Hi Mike,
Don't apologize. I like it when people are making fun of me in such a friendly manner. The tears are fake! (And have in mind that I am joking 99,999...% of the time. If you ever sense a perhaps evil tone in my words, then something implicitly or explicitly rude that I can't ignore must have been said previously). Did I tell you the "gym story"? I went to a gym because I had issues with my back due to improper posture in front of the computer. A member of the staff is showing me around. At some point I am finished with an exercise and must go to the next, but can't find the staff member. I look at the paper they gave me and locate the next equipment. I'm thinking "come on, how hard can it be?". I sit and try to do the exercise. Not many kilos there, but can't lift them. I gradually reduce the weight to the smallest possible. Still can't make it. A member of the gym approaches me and tells me "you are sitting in the opposite direction"! So, it seems I repeat the same mistake in various contexts
In my country people are not generally paid a lot of money (10-15 thousand euros is typical yearly income, while cost of living is rather high). Getting a degree is easier than in other countries, because parents usually support their children financially and most schools are free. There are many people with degrees and post graduate studies having a hard time getting a job. In any case, whatever you choose to do in life, chances are you might wonder what would have happened if you had done something else. I don't get proud very easily, which is bad sometimes. Most of my current joy is due to the fact that the master-era is over. I kind of regretted doing it. At some point I interrupted my studies and got a job. I went back to get it only because I had done most of the work and didn't want to quit like that. I don't like the academic environment very much. A lot of stress and no production system. Also, the people in academia are sometimes too typical, other times snobbish, and usually care more about "great ideas" instead of making things work. One of the main reasons I like these forums is the fact that people here are resolving real issues every day.
Kind Regards,
Maria
