a colored spectrum

work week

work has been rather busy this week.
quite a few reports to rush, especially now both my advisers are going away.
so i'm pretty much on my own now =/
i really really don't want to search on the wrong track...!!!

for last 2 days, collected some stats, theories and publications,
gonna need process the figures and summarize findings.
yep, that's what i do for my job basically.

fitting findings to theories (or vice versa), seeing how they fit into the reality of Spore,
what's the correlating factors, analyze social structures such as age, education, parents, occupation, social class and how they affect religion (both atheist or conversion) etc etc,
and how these phenomenon has changed over time...
yes, this is what i do for even term period.

though it's mind boggling and a test of patience,
i enjoy my job alot =)
and maybe that explains why i am in social sciences.
many people said right in my face that i don't enjoy research work,
let me say i have proven you wrong.
it is a fun and enriching job,
if you are clear of what you are searching for and what conclusion you want to present.
i am sure Ryan had that experience too.

but of coz, i also love working in the Food & Beverage service industry.
firstly coz my family has a small business in it.
secondly i really enjoy meeting people, testing new products, marketing them
and ultimately, jus brew a good cup of cappucino or serve up a toasty chilled wine.
i miss Melbourne so much!!! those wineries there, good weather and vast acres of vineyards.

have been reading thesis on religion, education and occupational aspiration among Chinese teenagers in Spore. it was a thesis written in 1969.
the findings were that Protestant teens were the most driven bunch,
with the highest aspirations, aiming to be white collar middle-upper class and professionals.
(relate to Calvinist theory by Weber.)
Catholics were not as driven, but they were the most optimistic bunch.
as long as they have a secure job, can get by, they are happy people.
Buddhist are as driven as the Protestants, aiming to be white collar middle-upper class.
no-religion were not driven nor have high aspirations and believe in fatalism.
these are based on controlling factors such as both father and mother's religion; educational levels and social class. bear in mind that the sample was only 1500 teenagers from 12 schools.
however, it proved an interesting piece of work.

which brings me to this point, i will preferably marry a Catholic as compared to a Protestant.
especially an Episcopal Methodist.
religious denomination is more that just a doctrinal difference.
the church also has diffferent hierarchical structure or the lack of it.
different expressions of worship and thanksgivings.
fundamentally, religion is a lifestyle.
the way you coexist with others, how you live your examples, how to interact with non-believers,
how you bring up your children... all these are intimately intertwined with religion.
as much as Catholicism receives its teachings from the Vatican II,
here in Spore, most parishes accept liberal theology or they simply cast aside sensitive issues.
what is important is that, i like the Catholic way of life, of harmoniously interacting with non-believers or fellow Christians. unity in peace and love.

posted by Veen @ 21:20