Oops.

Dear readers,
My apologies for having neglected you for the past week. I've been studying for the GMAT and getting into a slightly more intense mode than the weeks leading up to this one. I recently purchased a pack of 5 full-length GMATS which I completed over the course of a week or two, in various degrees of intensity. First in chunks and, more recently, all together. I also woke up at 7am today in an attempt to mimic this Wednesday's course of events. So yes, I do think that sufficient rest is important on GMAT day.

If that wasn't the most proper and uptight paragraph on this blog, I don't know which is!

Anyway, I didn't do anything too interesting last week. I went to class Tuesday and Thursday and put up with horrible teaching on Monday and Thursday night class. [The one really fun thing we did in morning class on Thursday was make Valentine's Day cards for our friends! I made 3 and an impromptu on a coaster that evening at Pub Quiz.] Please don't ask me how my Finnish is - it's on hold. Saturday was the infamous kyykkä world championship, for which Juha awoke at 6:45am and proceeded to drink and play the day away until about 9pm. I did a practice GMAT so I didn't get a chance to witness the event [sadly.] Then I went shopping and treated myself to a new sweater and shirt from H&M. I'm likely going back today for a hat! [They're having sales until Wednesday! ...yes, this excites me.]

Sunday was ystävänpäivä [=friends' day] or as we know it in Canada, Valentine's day. Juha had to work so I kept him company and then after his shift ended we checked out 2h+k [a restaurant/bar] because I heard they had an amazing goat cheese salad.
Oh.my.god. I've never had a goat cheese salad before and this was DIVINE. Apart from the fact that it wasn't very filling, the cheese was incredible. I'd really like to go there again... or even start making my own goat cheese salads at home. Why not? I've been making salads all over the place for the past 2 weeks anyway!. Speaking of which, today is day 14 of my diet! The past few days I've been cheating without cheating and eating a bit too much of the foods that I CAN eat but shouldn't be eating all the time so, I gotta lay off on the bananas.
BUT speaking of bananas, I made a Kenyan breakfast this morning [yes, at 7am.] [I hope Amos isn't laughing at me.] It's called plantains in coconut milk and it tasted quite delicious. I think I made it right but definitely think I could've enjoyed it more had I not been afraid that it was too sweet for what I'm allowed after every bite. Either way, it was fun to make and I didn't even mind waking up so early to do it [before GMAT start time.]

Today! I want to register as an official searcher of employment at the employment office, and go buy that hat. Ah yes, and study. And go to my evening class and visit Juha's dad tonight, who's in town from China.

Tomorrow, I'm off to Helsinki to write the GMAT and stay with Matti and Anne!
Wednesday around 12:30pm, I'll be done the GMAT!

And some more randomness that doesn't fit anywhere in the illogical flow above...
- Juha and I are planning a trip to Romania for Easter this year. I'm pretty sure we're buying tickets tonight! April 2nd - 6th: Bucharest and Galati.
- Our housewarming party is next weekend and I can't wait to see our guests bestowed with out-of-town/out-of-country honour: Veera, Essi/Xevi, Jose.
- I called University of Admissions Finland and they received my application AND my supplements so one of my apps is complete and I can sleep better at night. [Next deadline is Feb. 26th.]

So yes, lots to look forward to.