Life Docs

In 2024/2025 I was reading books/research papers essential to my success in school. I read at least 1 or 2 books a month, dealing with ridiculous pressure for PhD-level work.

Both my parents didn't pass highschool (recall I was also fatherless until my mom married) and no nearby family got a college degree so I had to figure a lot of stuff out without family guidance.

Where my efforts went...

I probably read 7 books on academia alone lol and minimum over 500 research papers (Like actually read, understood and synthesized to a written paper) in various fields in 2024/2025. I also wrote 4 research papers so far in my PhD program.

I read a bunch of psychological works about psychological competence, sleep, burn out etc. to adapt to schooling with a tough advisor.

Not only that company client meetings, classes and conferences, its quite a lot.

Its gotten easier...

However I have gotten to a point where it is becoming second nature and am wishing to dedicate more time to Christ here. Were also halfway through the program, praise God.

• I read way better than I listen by audio.
• Under sufficient motivation I learn very very quickly.
• In every effort I put, I generally make every mistake under the sun. On mistakes even I couldn't predict. After the event I reflect and think-"how I could do better next time?"
• I am always trying my best.

• Student on a very limited budget
• No car — limited to nearby small grocery store
• Cannot cook / never learned to cook
• All food is pre-made (cheaper than cooking for one)
• Fish is too expensive

Standard Christian fasting (vegan + no oil/wine on strict days) is not straightforward given:

• Medication-driven hunger makes calorie restriction dangerous/impractical
• High protein need conflicts with vegan fasting days
• Pre-made food limits control over ingredients
• Budget and access limit specialty fasting foods
• Fish (usual fasting relaxation) is too expensive

Must discuss with priest to determine a realistic, blessed fasting rule that accounts for all of this. The Church has always adapted fasting for medical needs.