I'm 22! This year's birthday was quite different from last year's. I got my presents super early last year, when the Big Unknown crew was over here...and there were a lot of people at my "fake" birthday party...by a lot, I mean more than just me and my neighbours. This year, it was just my neighbours and me. And I didn't have a "hot date" on my birthday this year either. Well, this weirdo offered me "pocket money" for sex but I obviously turned him down.

But I still had a good time. The weather's great!! No snow and clear blue skies! It was still cold, but not as bad as the rest of the week. My cold's letting up too. Still have to blow my nose every now and then, but I don't feel as awful as I did initially.

I got a couple of SMSes and emails wishing me a Happy Birthday...and I am very grateful for all of them. It is really nice to know that people haven't forgotten about you. I even got emails from one or two unexpected people...people I haven't heard from in eons. It was really sweet.

I opened all my presents today...I loved the stuff from my family! I got 3 pairs of earrings, Monchichi ear muffs, a Monchichi passport cover, a banana hp holder, a monkey t-shirt, a key chain and stickers...they're all so cute! The things kinda made me think...maybe I never wanna grow up. Sure, the numbers in my age will increase, but I don't think I'm ready to let go of the child in me. Growing up is painful. With knowledge comes responsibility...responsibility that maybe I'm not ready to take on. While I panic that many people I know are graduating soon and thinking about getting jobs...I am still kinda glad I have 2 1/2 more years to think about what I wanna do next. I'm not exactly the kind of person who can see what they will be doing in 5 years' time...sure, I have plans for days and weeks, but not for longer than that.

Anyway, I also got pretty flowers from Ruth, Lee Ting, Xizhen and Azman...and a book. And Fu Wei gave me a belt...which I am not sure how I am supposed to tie...either that, or she totally underestimated how thick my waist is.

Took some silly photos yesterday...they'll never see the light of day...but it was kinda fun at that point.

Was supposed to continue working on my report...but who wants do write a report for a lecturer she positively cannot stand on her birthday? So, I shall continue to slack...but just for today. Tomorrow my special day will be over and I'll go back to being Samantha the workaholic. Let me correct that...the wannabe workaholic. I had a plan, but I sabotaged my own plan...so I will just have to be flexible and go with the flow.

I went to Prohlis with Mai this morning, around 11am or so. I collected my photos...I have erm...more than 500 photos now...maybe even more. I haven't really counted. Yipes. But I am beginning to love photos a lot. The older you get, the more memories you want to hold on to. Maybe when I am 80, I can look at my photos and try to remember what my life was like as a little girl or a young woman.

Phuong and Mai are going to celebrate CNY eve (well, Spring Festival eve) later...it won't be a big thing, but I appreciate any chance to celebrate a little. :D

21 was a very interesting year...and I hope 22 will be a interesting and fulfilling year as well, with new challenges and new joys.

These are the photos of Fu Wei's and my baking efforts this weekend. We baked pizza on Saturday evening, and watched Deutschland Sucht Den Superstar together. It was an interesting show because one guy who, unfortunately, can't really sing dropped out...and was replaced within 24 hours, by a guy who used to be a girl. He's cute though...and has a likeable face. Our pizza was really meaty. We had sausage AND ham...and we also had mushrooms, onions and A LOT of cheese. Yummmmmmmiiiiieee!

On Sunday, we baked chocolate muffins with chocolate bits inside. I was trying to use up my butter and the chocolate Fu Wei and I bought for her birthday cake. It turned out really nice. I loved the hot, melty chocolate so much that I ate six of them at one shot!

And the rest of the time, I spent revising for Swedish and doing some translation work. I am beginning to like translation a fair bit...especially when I am working for a systematic and thorough boss. Very impressive!

The Swedish exam was today. It wasn't very easy, unlike the last exam, but it wasn't so hard that I had to cry or tear out my hair. I think I should be able to pass without any major problems. In terms of grammar and stuff, I think my Swedish is not too bad, but I really really really need help in pronunciation. I sound AWFUL when I try to speak Swedish. Same goes for Czech, actually...

It is positively freezing over here. It was -20 degrees Celsius yesterday. I kid you not. And right now, it's still a negative temperature...and I now know what it feels like when you are chilled to the bone. And I had 2 sweaters and 2 jackets on! Man oh man!! I refuse to go out if I can help it...but I have to go see a lecturer soon, in about 1 hour's time...so no choice. I am just thinking about whether I should go watch "Memoirs of a Geisha" after that. If I watch it today, I save 50 cents, but I'll have to rush my preparation for my German class tomorrow. Dunno why, but I feel totally unmotivated to teach this week. Maybe cos I have so many other things on my mind. Like exams and reports, and lecturers to see and all that. It's not an easy time for me...but on the up side, one exam is over...only have 2 more to go...and the damn lesson report. Time may not be on my side, but I'll take things one day at a time and eventually, I'll be back in Singapore and enjoying myself like crazy by the pool or wherever. That's my light at the end of the tunnel fantasy anyway.

Fu Wei's flying home today. How sad :( One less person to hang out with and have fun with...have to find other distractions for the next 6 weeks or so...but I'll survive!