Wow

I'm officially DONE WITH Sem 1 of university! Haha, my Thai coursemates are still in the hall answering their paper. I left after an hour. :-)

Anyway, quick updates, gotta rush off to pack some things for Aus.

1. I'm leaving tonight, gonna travel some 6000km? Alone! Haha. Such an adventure that I'm looking forward to. My bro is worried my handphone won't work in Aus, cause that's what happened to my relatives yesterday, 1 out of 6 hps worked. So he says if mine doesn't work, I'm a gonecase. Haha. Ok la, he didn't put it so crudely/brutally. But hmm, if it doesn't work I'll have an exciting time. ;-)

2. I got out of my hostel. :-) My hostel has been.. well, an interesting place. Much as I like my roommates, I had responsibilities at home that simply didn't allow me to stay on and on in my hostel for days/weeks/months on end. My friends used it as a refuge/run-away place from home. I never had that privilege, because running away from home is simply too selfish an option for me. Haha, how many times have I longed to run away? I still look back on my Kedah days with fondness, despite my short stint there, being away from home was awesome.. some other aspects weren't pleasant, but staying away from home? ;-) But back then I didn't have responsibilities at home.. I only had to worry about me, myself, and I. I think of the universities I could have applied for with my STP results. But sometimes, running isn't an option. Despite how much your heart yearns for it. And it's safe to say that God has been gracious to me, especially when you put others ahead of your own selfish desires. :-)

3. Bro's convocation tomorrow.. I remember how my dad so proudly insisted that he would attend his convocation last year, from his hospital bed. I remember the fleeting doubt I had when he said that. And when he continued to fight for his life early this year, we always thought he was fighting on to make it to Aus, for tomorrow's event. (To say he'll make it for mine was a far-cry, but ko's convo still seemed slightly, slightly possible last year.)

Anyway, before I get all emo-ey, despite all that's happened, ko's gonna graduate! And I'm so darn proud of him. Don't play-play man, ANU Actuarial Science! Hahaha. It's been a horribly struggle for him the past 3 years, and this past year has been especially hard on him. Still, he made it, and became the man of the family when he had to eventually step up in that role. :-) How many sons would actually become man when horribly painful trials come? He didn't whine, that's for sure. At least, not to us. And for that, we're grateful.

4. Learning to be not-so-independent has been a strangely weird task for me lately. Since I got Joash in my life, I've realised that sometimes, we don't have to go through life alone. :-) He's been taking care of me in ways I've hardly experienced before.. always been independent since young I guess, it's a pleasant change! :-) Hehe.

Ok, I'm off to pack stuff.

God bless,

Jo