It's 3 o'clock

And I'm still not asleep.

And no, the insomnia is not kicking in.

And no, I didn't go out clubbing.

And no, I didn't come home from work.

I've been sitting in front of a computer for ten hours straight working on my IMC project.

What's an IMC project you ask? Integrated Marketing Communication Project.

It's for my marketing communication course. I had to develop a specific product and I have to talk about how to market the product to its prospective target market in a span of 12 months.

I thought it would be easy. I was even excited. But then I read the course outline and it said that I have to actually write a 5000-word formal report about my proposal.

What is my proposal? To market ZURK motor oil to its target market which is people living in urban and suburban area in the age bracket of 18-35 years of age with an annual income of $48,000.00 and are car-owners.

I have to differentiate ZURK motor oil from Castrol, Pennzoil and Valvoline. I have to look at the motor oil industry as a whole. And how the environment today would affect the performance of the motor oil.

I have to make an estimate on how much a television ad would be especially if the advertisement will be aired on primetime hours.

I have to research about the audience and the different types of research in making sure I'm targeting the right audience.

I have to decide which advertising vehicle I have to use - radio, newspaper, magazine, television.. the works.

I have to create a campaign evaluation. How my ad did in reaching its target audience.

I have to do a lot of things and it's three o'clock in the morning. I can't keep my eyes open and I'm still typing away.

Why are you blogging then? you ask.

Well, looking at my document at Microsoft word had given me a headache. To me, it's just one big blur.

I tried editing my paper but I can't seem to find any errors. Which is not possible because you always, always find errors when writing - especially a 5000-word paper.

It's either I'm a very good writer or my eyes are just too tired to function. Not to mention my brain.

I have to hand it in at 12pm tomorrow and I have to go to work at 3.30 til one in the morning.

I have yet to reference my paper. I need at least two pages worth of reference and three-fourths of it should be journal articles.

I'm having the best night.

To make matters worst, Bernie's in Melbourne and I'm stuck here trying to create a bright future for myself.

Haha. I think I've gone crazy. No more red bull for Nikki.


In a split second of insanity

Was talking to Bernie an hour ago. She wanted me to come over to Melbourne because she misses me.

Come over, she said.

I can't. I have to work, I replied.

Call in sick and catch the next plane here, she pleaded.

So to humor her, I surfed the net for cheap airfares. $428.00 return for five days. Not bad.

I told her I struck gold.

She wanted me to book the flight and jump on the next flight to Melbourne. I was about to.

There was a flight that leaves at three in the afternoon. It would be awesome going to Melbourne with Bernie. Like our trip in Sydney back in 2003.

But my conscience got the better of me. Not only will I be broke for the next year of my life, but I'll be in deep trouble with work. I've been doing really well and calling in sick for two days just so I can have an impromptu holiday is not going to help my career.

Oh my God, I'm actually being responsible for once.

Too much studying for Nikki. I'm not even going out this weekend. Amber and I are going to have a quiet one. We're saving our energy for next weekend - Baby Amber's twentieth!! Yay!

Can't wait.