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As DanielHenry pointed out to me on Facebook, it's not like I won't be back. But when it comes to living in Singapore, this is in fact my last weekend.

I gave my final exam last Monday and it went OK. I only got my research paper grades turned in that day so I decided not to grade exams but instead take the afternoon off from grading and resolve some other administrative things. Grading kicked off Tuesday and lasted until Thursday evening, so it did go faster than the research papers but not by much.

As Friday rolled around I went into school for my final day there. That morning I wrapped up the last of my paperwork for grades, turned in my keys, took some final photos, and headed out around 1pm. My experience at the university was really a great one, and the feedback I got from students (except for the one who was crying about her grade) made me feel really good. It's not often in life that you KNOW you made a difference, but this is one of those times.

I'd already had one farewell dinner earlier in the week, but heading into my last weekend I had a few more final meetups planned. First, though, I needed to have dinner with one of my students...I wouldn't normally spend my last Friday in town at a dinner like that but he's a diplomat here and I figured it was good for keeping up good relations between our countries. Plus, he was one of my more interesting and challenging students and I thought we'd have some good conversation, and I was right. I figured I'd head out for a drink afterwards but I drifted into a nap onto my couch after getting home and woke at 1am. I took that as a sign and went to bed.

Saturday was a gym day, followed by lunch and a movie with Derek. I said it last week and will say it again: I'm really happy to have finally gotten to know Derek in person after following his life for years online. We expect to see each other when I visit here again later this year.

Afterwards I met up with Ed, who took me to the Night Safari. After 3 times in Singapore I still hadn't been so he wanted to make sure I experienced it. Unfortunately it was raining, so the shows were cancelled, but we got to take the tram ride and see plenty of animal who were out enjoying the rain, and once the rain died down a bit we also walked some trails, and did not get eaten. We headed back to town, dozing in the back of a taxi, and grabbed some nasi lemak before heading to DYMK for a bit to meet some friends. I called it a night about 1.

Today I met up with Jasen for breakfast around 10:30 and we got caught up on what's been happening since we saw each other 2 weeks ago, and had a chance to say our farewells. A second friend cancelled out on me so I got some work done before meeting gary the Bubble Tea Guy, who's been running the stand at school that I visit everyday. This was the first time we hung out away from the university and it was pretty fun, even though the sudden rain made things a bit messy.

Tonight I'm out to dinner with my trainer from the gym, then am hoping to go clubbing later (though if the rain doesn't stop I don't know how excited I'll be about going out again). Starting tomorrow I need to be settling things around town, visiting with more friends, and doing anything I have been meaning to do but haven't done yet.

I'm also learning that Chinese people don't like long goodbyes, and I'm OK with that.

Labels: Bars, Friends, Living in SG, Teaching