Prelim Papers I Still Have Left To Study For : NONE. Nien. Niet.

"Relief" is probably my most favoured word today. After writing letters to Christine on my mcq paper having finished it in half an hour (because i'm terrible about checking my papers and most likely made a mountain of mistakes) , stressing with Andrea over International History, breaking my hand with literally 30 pages of essays in a single day ... it is over. As I prognosticated, I would feel incredible relief. Actually, I expected elation, but that emotion was overwhelmed by a tremendous sense of ... relief.

I was free to talk about frivolous things like Singapore Idol and Wade Robson with Sam without running through Vietnam War timelines in the back of my head. I was free to mock Benjamin Eio's dancing on the bus with Sam and eat my fattening, huge burger and coo over puppies, all without thinking of words like greatpowerrivalry or Linebacker. As much as I love history, or literature, or even - dareIsayit - econs sometimes, I am also ready to dispose of it once exams are over. I can read Dave Eggers and Marquez now without stressing. Short term leisure is always greatly appreciated.

Funny tidbit : Told Andrea that NSC-68's NSC stood for National Security Council, or at least I think it does. I achieved said enlightenment while watching Spy Game, which, as I told Wen Xian at the bus stop, was therefore educational while featuring Brad Pitt pre-skin cancer-tan-of-Troy. I haven't watched Troy, incidentally. I do not - I stress - watch movies solely for Brad Pitt, but he makes a good sort of side-dish in a movie. I will, however, watch Ryan Gosling movies simply for him, The Notebook being blatant evidence of that. I must justify myself : its only because even in pieces of crap like the Notebook, Gosling acts brilliantly. Also, his performance from The Believer is indelibly seared in my brain, destined to remain there forever as one of the most spellbinding things I've ever seen, thus constantly compelling me to watch everything he acts in, barring Young Hercules. Not many people can play a Anti-Semitic White Supremacist Jew and make him look sympathetic and sexy at the same time - you have to give him credit. I also give credit to Henry Bean's super screenplay. Man, it was great.

Is it me, or do I talk about movies too much? Anyway, it is only because I love them so. Dear friends, I sympathize with all you sods that still have prelims coming up. Love you.