Fighting till the end...

So tomorrow's D-Day, the day I'd been dreading... The first day of exams.

In retrospective, the past weeks have really been extremely stressful. I don't know if I'd ever felt like this before but I felt like I was pushed to my limits. I'm certain that Hyeyoung too, will concur. The stress from deadlines and near-sleepless nights really took a toll on her, me and us. For once, I felt like I was struggling with life, struggling to just keep myself afloat.

But I guess what really helped was not simply my faith in God that He has my best interests at heart, but also the fact that Hyeyoung walked through this treacherous path with me. There's nothing as calming and reassuring as these two important elements and for that, I'm really thankful.

This nightmare will end in 3 days, on Wednesday. Till then, I need to gather up all my strength, both physical and mental, and... ファイト (fight)!

Moving on to a happier note, today is mommy's birthday! :) I haven't been talking to her much this semester and only on a few rare occasions did we have a chat that lasted more than an hour. But still, I know she'd always be there for me whenever I needed her. So thanks mom! You're the best! =)

A trying period

Finally, I'm done with 作文③. All that's left is to bring it to the print shop later in the morning and then submit it to my teacher. After that, I can concentrate fully on my take home which I can finish by Wednesday and thereafter I can revise for Written and Spoken Japanese.

It's going to be a looong 10 days till the end of everything.

I'd been extremely sensitive and emotional over past few days or perhaps even week and no doubt it has created some tension and stress on our relationship. Thankfully, Hyeyoung has been very patient and as usual, understanding and loving. Without that, I don't think I can get look beyond those dark clouds that had gathered above my head and gaze at the beautiful sunny sky that lies ahead for the both of us. Hyeyoung, if you're reading this, thank you.

Honeymoon period, I think, is over and reality is gradually setting in. We have sooo much in common yet at times we can be sooo different. While the exam stress isn't helping us in ironing out our differences, I'm certain, this is where love comes in, where love will prevail all.

God grant me the strength, wisdom, courage, faith and perseverance to overcome all obstacles that lies ahead for the both of us.

Meanwhile, I must announce that I'm still SOOOOOO in love with her. =)

Ignore this, I'm just talking to myself.

In by the time the hour passes, I'd be officially in my final week of my undergraduate career. This is regardless of the fact if I get into the hons program or not as even if I did, it'd be more like a semi-graduate program rather than an undergraduate one. Also, most of my friends would really have graduated, leaving no meaning to be an undergraduate. Instead, I should be a loner and concentrate on acing my hons.

But before that, there's this final hurdle I need to cross - the end of semester exams. 1 take home for Security and Strategic Studies and sit downs for Written and Spoken Japanese. It's been months since I last wrote a full essay and I fear that I might not be at my best to tackle the take home. Meanwhile, there's some stress to do well for spoken as I didn't perform up to my expectations for the mid-term. Written is just... SCARY. 1000+ Kanji words to remember and only 1/5 would be tested plus a mini composition component as well. DIESSS!!! And it totally doesn't help that I only have a day of studying in between the two Japanese exams. This means I have to plan my studying week fucking well.

SIGHS...

Luckily, Hyeyoung and I have another date planned this coming week. This time it's to catch Thirst, which was award the Jury Prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival, at the Canberra Film Festival.



Believe me when I say this is not my idea. Hyeyoung surprised me when she suggested going for the film festival. Perhaps it's the fact that they are screening Korean films but regardless, I'm glad to have found someone who enjoys going to the film festivals. :)

I want to make 汤圆 for Hyeyoung to try as supper but but I'm so tired and a magazine is waiting for me to complete. Argh. Time is never enough!!! :(

Korean curry for a change

Yesterday it was Hyeyoung's turn to make curry. Needless to say, she did it K-style. Same usual ingredients, except that we made a wrong move and decided to add lamb together with beef. Bad choice. Lamb and Korean/Japanese curry just doesn't go. In an attempt to get rid of the stench, Hyeyoung added more garlic. Unfortunately, the smell was still there. Sigh.

Hyeyoung insisted that we should eat it with Kimchi. (Note to self: iPhone camera is not meant for macro shots!)

In my opinion, Korean curry is extremely similar to their Japanese counterpart (since according to Wikipedia it was introduced from Japan during the 20th century when Korea was annexed to Japan), just that the curry is bolder and definitely not as sweet. No biggie for me since I grew up having Indian and Malay curry but it sure was nice to be exposed to the Korean side of things. Who knew that Korea were eating "Japanese Curry" since more than a 100 years ago?

One thing's for sure though. You MUST have it with Kimchi. Such combination though as weird as it may sound, is in fact, rather complementing.

Our first show, not a movie but a Broadway musical!

So despite being overwhelmed with assignments, Hyeyoung and I managed to squeeze out some time to catch Avenue Q on its opening day here in Canberra, or as Hyeyoung calls it, "Crapberra".

No photography was allowed but I managed to sneak a shot at the set. I <3 my iPhone!

Just avoid spoiling the fun of those who haven't watch it, I shan't do any form of review of Avenue Q. All I'd say is get ready for tons of laughter, don't concentrate on the puppetry but the songs and acting instead, and a great deal of unexpected fun.

Speaking of unexpected, I just want to make a short note about how unexpected life is. Avenue Q was meant to be THE date which I planned 2 months ago (while I was still woo-ing Hyeyoung) but life being unexpected as it is, turns out that it's a different kind of date last night. Not the one you go while wooing the girl you're interested in, but the one you go with your girlfriend. Needless to say, the latter (with no tension or stress,) is definitely more enjoyable. =)

"This doesn't feel like Canberra," said Hyeyoung as we walked out of the theater. Indeed, and I think it sums things up pretty nicely. You have really changed my Canberra. (Heck, I'm even eating some cereal that has sultanas and apples in it! Something I'd never have done.)

So thank you Hyeyoung, (thank you Avenue Q too,) thank you for making my Canberra a better place. :)