Today is the 364th day since my longtime girlfriend departed me for a purpose of studying abroad.

It is one hour to noon here in central Europe, and she comes back to me tonight after 364 days of separation. How am I feeling now? I can't really tell. I am excited and happy that she comes back at last, but at the same time I am a little nervous. Today is a big change in my life. My life of yesterday and tomorrow will be completely different. I am nervous of this difference happening. I guess I just let it be...

I still remember how it was at the airport on October 2nd 2005. I was very sad, and it was a good-bye with full of tears. And that day happened to be my birthday. Yeah, what a birthday it was.. I didn't care about my birthday.. It was rather a day when she departed for another step up in her career. Actually I was the one who encouraged her to do so. She is a very hard learner and did deserve to receive this govermentian scholarship which enabled her to go abroad and study there for one year. She got the chance to do so thanks to her studying hard and successful exams. But, it was the decision of whether taking this chance or not. Taking this chance means that we would be separated for one whole year. We both were aware of that. I knew she was interested in doing so and that that was very good for her career, because only chosen people could do this. Therefore, I encouraged her to take this opportunity. At the same time, I knew it was going to be hard for me, or I should say both of us.

She should be sitting in an airplaine by now, hearding for Europe. Hopefully she can sleep there, but I know she is very very bad at sleeping in an airplaine. About 12 hours of flight without sleep... She will be very tired when she gets here. All I hope is that she gets good movies to see on board.

Well, the apartment is also getting ready to welcome the other master. There are still works to do here, but by the time of her arrival, it will be completely ready to have her back where she belongs.

I want to use this opportunity to thank all of you who supported me whenever I was down. You were really great to me. Especially big thanks to Yvo, Steffi, Nienke, and Xin Yue.

SP