Eureka!

Everyone who is good got there by perseverance and hard work.

It is at once so humbling and so liberating to find out.

Really, I guess when we dig into stories of successful people, we probably won't hear stories of "get rich quick" or "learn how to write in 40 days" or "short cut to doing great work" but we probably will hear stories of pain, sweat and tears.

Update

One lesson I learned from my undergraduate studies is that if I have an opportunity to take more modules, I should do so and not worry so much about grades, but worry about learning.

So I was pretty sad, when I was not accepted to do a module as it was too specialized for me.

But it also has pushed me forward to complete my thesis ahead of schedule. I am hoping to finish it by this Semester rather than next as was my original plan. Because I think it's time to move on.

It was a blow to my heart, but I will learn to surrender my desires to God.

Right now, I am doing some analysis. I feel like an architect? I lay the plan before me and I am making markings and shifting texts around. It is fun!

Restlessness

There is one situation where I find it almost impossible to do any writing. That's when I'm restless. The heart that cannot be satisfied refuses to be still enough for any thoughts to pass through with clarity. Every thought is lost and muddled up. 

The hidden curriculum

I'm not sure if I gave the right title.

But one thing about doing a thesis is that you don't see or know what happens behind the scenes?

For example, I spend a lot of time locating materials and photocopying/scanning them. I have bought second hand books from the USA and have them shipped to another address before receiving it here in Singapore. This is the hidden cost as well. Knowledge cost not only time but also money. I actually do think that many people don't further their studies because it's so costly in terms of both time and money.

One more thing I would like to do more of is to invest time in helping other graduate students. And another that I am contemplating is to do another module, though technically I don't need anymore credits. Because I'm just thinking what next. In my heart, I desire to be a historian, but my thesis is more practitioner, educational type. And I'm thinking, I'm trained as a scientist, how will I get my training as a historian? Can I do modules meant for history students?

Noblesse Oblige

Something suddenly pulled my heart string and I have to write about it.

I suddenly saw the very close link between community service and elitism. The teachers in this particular school so STRESSED the idea of "noblesse oblige" (I just learned this term today). I felt it so strongly. In fact, I suspect that in a non-elite school, this factor may be downplayed. But the focus is more so on academics, in terms of what the teachers stressed.

People always talk bad about elitism and complain that non-elites don't have as much opportunities as elites... But you know, the elites have a greater burden to serve and be "slaves" to the rest of the population. We envy them, because we think of people who abuse their power and have unlimited riches, but if we ever do get there, we will realize the mandate of the elite is not merely to lead servants but more so to be the slaves of servants.

Analyzing Data and Reporting Findings

This week I'm going to spend doing this section of my thesis. I have roughly composed a sketchy draft of chapter 1, 2 and 3. And knowing that I often find 4, 5 and 6 the hardest to write, I think I shall not delay but move onto chapter 4 this week. Somewhat excited (thank God!).

"When you reach this point in the research process, it is essential to keep an open mind, remembering that qualitative research is all about discovery. You need to look carefully at all your data, seeking to uncover important insights regarding the phenomenon that you are researching. These are your "findings." The procedures you use to accomplish this needs to be well thought out, explicitly documented, and directly connected to your research questions. Subsequently, in the following chapter, "Analyzing and Interpreting Findings," you will synthesize all your data sources and insights, creating an interpretation that is holistic and integrated.

There is often confusion around the idea of data analysis in qualitative research and what it really entails. Qualitative data analysis is the process of bringing order, structure, and meaning to the masses of data collected. Broadly speaking, qualitative data analysis is the researcher's attempt to summarize all the collected data in a dependable and accurate manner. The process is based on induction: The researcher starts with a large set of data and seeks to progressively narrow them into smaller important groups of key data. There are no predefined variables to focus analysis as there are in quantitative research. Qualitative data analysis requires the researcher to be patient and reflective in a process that strives to make sense of multiple data sources. The analytic procedure falls essentially into the following sequential phases: organizing the data, generating categories, identifying patterns and themes, and coding the data." (p. 135)

Bloomberg, L. D., & Volpe, M. Completing your qualitative dissertation: A road map from beginning to end (2 ed.). Los Angeles: SAGE Publications, Inc.

A sudden realization

I just realized something that is not too good.

I realized I have been more attracted to research from the USA and Hong Kong and less to research from China, Russia and Europe.

And this has somewhat skewed my ideas and conceptions.

It's strange... But I can see a few reasons for why this has happened.

1. USA and Hong Kong are of relatively closer mental proximity to me. I have been to USA and Hong Kong. I know you might think this has no link to why I showed preference to works from these places. But it has for me. After I returned from a one day trip to Hong Kong, I sensed the sights and sounds and spirit of Hong Kong and was really inspired to write a piece of work for my boss. Having been to USA, I kinda like that country as well. And this explains why since I knew I would be visiting Europe for the first time in July, I started becoming interested to read articles on European nations.

2. I am more familiar with the democratic systems of USA and Hong Kong. So I find it easier to understand papers from USA and Hong Kong. I think I revealed this before that I struggle to read articles on Russia and actually China as well. With their long histories that scholars often have to explain the context first before getting to the meat of the study... It has caused some intimidation and reluctance to read these articles.

I feel kinda sad that I have placed such great spotlight on USA and Hong Kong and so little on others. Okay.

3. There really are more studies from these places than others, but that doesn't mean I should neglect the few from the latter that do exist.