Hey, Hivers! This is makiyumee and I am back here again with another blog to share to you all. September has been really tough for me and my classmates. It feels like this month hit us with more challenges than we could handle. We managed to work through some of them, but there are still so many left hanging over us. One of the biggest ones is our research paper. It's like this never-ending task that just keeps weighing us down. We're pushing through, though,step by step, trying to stay focused but it's definitely been a hard ride.
Our midterms are coming up fast, and with them comes a lot of pressure. One of the biggest things we need to get done before the exams is finishing our research proposal. It's been on our minds for a while now, but with the deadlines getting closer, it feels even more urgent. We still have to consult with our adviser about the paper and get their feedback to make sure we’re on the right track. Plus, we need to conduct a pilot test before we can even begin working on the actual midterm project, which is all about collecting data from our respondents.
It’s starting to feel like everything is piling up at once, and we’re trying to balance it all—studying for exams, finishing our research, and keeping up with other assignments. But we know we have to keep going, step by step, even though it’s overwhelming at times. The good thing is we’re all in this together, and we’re doing our best to push through, knowing that once we finish this proposal, we’ll be one step closer to reaching our goal and that goal is to finish this paper before the second semester.
It was such a relief that my best friend and I ended up being groupmates for this research paper. Honestly, it’s one of the things I was most thankful for. We’ve always been good at lifting each other up, especially when things get tough. Whenever we hit a wall or feel like we’re stuck and can’t move forward, it’s so much easier to keep going because we motivate each other. Just a little pep talks or a joke, and we’re back on track.
There were moments during our research when I’d come across a really interesting study, something I knew would be perfect to support our work. But then, just as I was ready to dive deeper, I’d find out that the study was no longer available, or the website couldn’t be reached. It was frustrating, to say the least. I’d feel this wave of irritation, like all that time spent searching was wasted on a dead end.
But at the same time, I know this is just part of the process when you’re doing research. Sometimes, you’ll find gold, and other times, it’s like chasing shadows. It happens to every researcher, those moments when you think you've found the perfect study, only for it to disappear before you can even use it. It’s annoying, yes, but I’ve learned to accept that it comes with the territory. Doing research isn’t always smooth or straightforward. There are highs and lows, and this is just one of those bumps along the way.
In the middle of our super stressful study session, out of nowhere, a little furry baby suddenly jumped onto the table. I nearly jumped out of my seat from surprise! But before I could freak out, I burst into laughter when I realized it was Mavi, the adorable kitten owned by my best friend's close friend.
Mavi was the cutest little ball of curiosity. As we scrolled through websites, his tiny head would follow the cursor on the screen, as if he was on a mission to catch it. And when he did, he'd swipe at it with his tiny paws, almost as if he thought it was a toy. Every time he caught the cursor, I couldn’t help but giggle in surprise. His playful antics totally lightened the mood, giving us a much-needed break from all the research stress.
When Mavi gets tired from all his playful antics, he has this cute way of asking for attention. He'll nudge us gently, as if asking us silently to pet his head. We can’t resist, so we end up petting his soft little head, which he clearly loves.
But once he’s fully recharged, the peaceful Mavi we’ve been petting turns back into the playful kitten we know. Out of nowhere, he’ll start catching our hair, giving it a little tug like it’s part of the game. It always catches us by surprise and leaves us laughing, breaking the tension of our work. His energy and playfulness keep things light, reminding us to have fun, even when we’re buried in our research.
One time, as I was deep into reading a study, totally focused, Mavi did something unexpected. Out of nowhere, he gently placed his little paw on my hand, catching me completely off guard. For a second, I just stared at him in surprise, but then I couldn’t help but chuckle at how adorable he was. It was such an innocent, sweet moment. I playfully told him that if he doesn't behave, he'll have no treats later. Of course, I didn’t mean it, but it made me smile, and he just looked up at me, probably wondering why I wasn’t petting him instead of reading.
Having Mavi around has made such a huge difference for my best friend and me. Every time we feel the stress creeping in while working on our research paper, Mavi is there, lightening the mood. His playful antics, his quiet company, and even those little moments when he rests beside us have this amazing way of easing the tension in the room. It’s like his presence alone helps us breathe a little easier, making the whole process feel less overwhelming. He’s truly been our little stress-relief buddy throughout all of this.
Thank you for reading my blog and that would be all for this part. I'll see you all on the next one, dear Hivers!
