welcome

hello friends,

most, if not all, of you who're reading this probably received my farewell text. looking forward to the national day long weekend before i leave and won't be updating much until i reach stockholm.

thought it'd be fun to post about my exchange experience, albeit a year later than my peers. if inquiring minds wish to know why i'm going on exchange in my final year, it's because i was holding out for something that wasn't to be and forfeited my exchange place in year 3. when what i was hoping to get into fell through after a year of uncertainty, the faculty was extremely supportive and understanding. the powers-that-be i.e. the vice dean, could've said that i couldn't have my cake and eat it. he could also have said 'too bad. deal.' but i'm grateful that he instead broke protocol and exceptionally allowed me to go on exchange in my final year. the regulations are that i need to spend my final semester back at my home university though so i can only go for a semester, which works for me because i'm quite happy to come home after half a year, or so i say now :)

that said, it does feel vaguely unusual to be embarking on something my peers have just returned from. just as everyone is re-adjusting to life back home and settling down for final year, i'm packing my bags and readying myself for some fun in the sun. not like i'm going to see much sun during the nordic winter. however, i do have the pyschological benefit of going on exchange after securing a training contract. i know where i'll be starting work at! it's such a bonus to leave for a semester without a care in the world and i'm almost delirious that there's so much to look forward to in the months ahead.

how does this sound:

august '09 - january '10 6months exchange (pass / fail)

january '10 - april '10 4months final semester

may '10 - july '10 2months graduation trip

july '10 - december '10 6month post-graduate course (pass / fail)

january '11 start work!

techincally there's nothing exceeding stressful or demanding for the next 18months. what a luxury :) and then i start work! which i'm excited about but not in any hurry to begin. so yay to anticipation and yay to having what looks like a glorious 18months ahead.

so if you want to keep tabs on me (oh how i flatter myself), return to this page as and when you wish to indulge me.

best,