Between Boss and Books: A Tragicomedy
You know how people say, “You can’t have your cake and eat it too”? Well, I found myself not just without cake, but also awkwardly holding a spoon in a room full of forks.
Let me paint you a picture. On one side: my Master’s class, intellectually fulfilling, soul-nourishing, and occasionally stress-inducing (because, well, assignments). On the other side: my job, pays the bills, funds the capati addiction, and keeps me from living under a metaphorical (and possibly literal) bridge.
Enter conflict. Like a Netflix drama but with less attractive cast members and more WhatsApp messages.
You see, tomorrow I have class. An important one. The kind that you can’t just “watch the recording later” because there is no recording and missing it feels like skipping a chapter in an already complicated novel. But… plot twist!.. My boss is coming over. And he doesn’t yet know that his reliable, smiley, always-on-time staff is also a part-time political science student with dreams of academic glory and limited annual leave.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to live a double life. I’m not some MDA version of Hannah Montana. But balancing these two worlds is like trying to play badminton while holding a hot cup of kopi o. One way or another, something’s going to spill.
So here’s my plan: today, when my boss visits, I’ll come clean. Face the music. Admit that yes, I am moonlighting as a student. And no, I don’t think “policy theory” is more exciting than “regulatory updates” but it does come pretty close.
But before that showdown happens, I have to send a humble, apologetic, slightly guilty text to my dear lecturer. Something along the lines of:
“Salam Dr., I’m really sorry but I won’t be able to attend class tomorrow due to unavoidable work commitments. I truly value the class and will make up for it. Terima kasih atas kefahaman Dr. (and may the academic gods forgive me).”
Honestly, I’m sad. Torn. As if I’m betraying both my future and my present at the same time. But I can’t pick both. Yes, I’m choosing the job today, but I’m still fighting for my academic dreams tomorrow. (Maybe literally if I have to fight traffic to make the next class.)
This isn’t a blog for solutions. It’s a confession. A reminder that adulting is 60% guilt, 30% scheduling conflicts, and 10% googling “can stress cause hair loss?”
But hey, at least I’m trying. I can’t choose both, right?
Wish me luck.
—Wira, master of multitasking and minor breakdowns.
