懐かしの記憶

I seriously don't think I can ever be a teacher... For the simple reason that I'm so attached to my students!

優加ちゃん (Yuka) replied my message today, 2 days late. Still, I was very happy to hear from her. It feels just like how it was in Japan - how we would text each other (pretty) furiously.

From her messages, it does seem like her English has improved. For that, I'm very proud of her. Just as how the 3 months in Japan really helped me in improving my Japanese, I hope this year here in Sydney would do the same (if not more) for them.

Meanwhile, I tried this today, with major modifications of course.

I'm very surprised to find how tasty chicken seasoned with balsamic vinegar, olive oil, oregano and black pepper is. Also, how yummy baked eggplant that's slightly soaked with olive oil taste. I think I just broke the code in cooking eggplants today. :)

This coming month is going to be extremely busy - deadlines for my papers as well as preparations for 2 Japanese oral presentations (one solo and the other, a team of 3). I'm hoping that I'd be able to go to the Kokoda Foundation's Young Strategic Leaders' Congress at the end of this month. It's probably one of the main motivations for me to finish up my work in time to go. And if I do, I might pop by Sydney for a while since I'm going to rent a car to get there. This is because the congress is held at ANU's Coastal Campus Kioloa. Besides the contents of the congress, it's a perfect opportunity/excuse to visit ANU's Coastal Campus. Something which I doubt I'd ever do.

Having said all that, I think it's time for me to hit the books!