and probably the last that I’ll be away for.

I just received an email from NUS confirming the receipt of my Uni. transcripts. Just another step forward, in this future I want. Now we’re waiting on GRE results, and John to submit his referee report as well. Degree Scroll goes online, as does personal statement, related application forms and perhaps a proposal. I will talk to Peter to organise a solid one, to help ensure the application success.

This decision, to do my PhD in Singapore, is not unwarranted, or poorly thought through.

Yes, I’d have an easier time applying for a PhD here. And a PhD here most logically would mean me in seagrass research again. Don’t get me wrong, I have developed an interest in it. But I never planned to work so extensively with plants. Its not what I wanted, and still just isn’t.

I took this honors project, despite my anti-plant philosophy, because it was logical at the time. Firstly, I got to dive. Secondly, I figured that in an honours project, grades matter,which depended on solid results. And plants are more reliable, any day of the week.

But I admittedly tapered off- Seagrass just doesn’t keep me motivated. And if I wasn’t motivated after just a year of it, how would I last 3, 4 years?

This PhD project really interests me, in the sense that it is the type of study I have always wanted to do. I feel its the way of the future, some really frontier ecology. I’ve always wanted to do ecology. this project is just that. Yes, NUS isn’t big on their Biological Sciences. The department is smaller than we have at UWA. But thats a good thing. Theres room to grow. Theres a closer group, more support from the supervisors and fellow students. Funding is not short. And NUS is a top school afterall, which means it’s not going to be too challenging getting recognised as a respected Department once we put some solid science out there.

This is what I want for my career. A PhD is just a ticket afterall. I will still be able to chase a job that i really enjoy, especially so, since I’m fortunate enough to have this project be so suited to me.

I will do everything I can to do that. And I wish I had more support or me to do this.

Now, life isn’t just all about a career. Because you need that one person, to share it all; life, with. I even feel that it’s more important. Life is about happiness. Without that, is a good job or career really worth it at all? And I’ve made it clear, what I want, and why, and how. We planned all this, life together. We promised, and I’ll keep my promises, because I really want to, and I really still want everything. Because thts what we are. Everything.

And since that life, by some blind luck or destiny, lined up with the career aspect, then I’ll count my lucky stars, and shoot for it.

thank you, dear.

Five Hundred and Eighty days. No matter where I was, you were on my mind.

I’ll be away for awhile, but will be back soon.. for much, much longer this time.

Thank you for the patience, the understanding, and above all, the love.

Happy 19th dear.

eighteenth. one and a half years of our lives.

i remember two years ago, sentosa beach. a weird pasty boy and a girl with awesome sunburn marks.

and a stinky starfish that said what words could not.

i wanted to get you another starfish today, to say..more than words could.

I love you more than i can say.

I know its hard but I know we can work it out, together.

I have a whole day planned.. it’s gonna be fun!

14th! and look, your second most favourite place =)

elevenn!