standards of success

Standards of Success

My text message to *Gallant in China:

Guess what? I'm getting my second class honours after all. (I was paranoid that I would fall into third class honours)

His reply:
I never doubted that, dear.

(a little later)
I missed out on a perfect score. I got five As and one A-.

Yes, *Gallant is (occasionally) a dean's lister. That and how he gets through exams practically effortlessly and at last minute cramming at that. And I know this wasn't a particularly easy semester... he had to put in a lot of time in his lab, complete six modules, resolve his club politics, organise the World Bank student conference, play basketball (a little too routinely) and be boyfriend to a very demanding *young lady.

Sour sentiments aside, let me disclaimer that I am very proud (and still very amazed). I'm more disappointed in myself.

Couples tend to match each other and achieve what the *old folks like to call *compatibility*. Similar wavelengths, a matching *appearance (admit it... you tend to point out couples that have one obviously much better looking than the other), capabilities, etc.

I know modern times do not equate this measure and *Gallant himself has told me how different our academic faculties are, but how I wish we could be equals this way (it would make job application much easier too!).

On a side note, my *perfect dear is now interning in China for a law firm. His life science background did not stop the associates from appreciating his English language capabilities and quickly gave him contracts to translate and bring him along for numerous client meetings with the ang-mohs (btw, Chinese law is a highly self insulated practice... the lawyers do not need to immerse themselves (unlike other countries) in English law. This is why most lawyers in China do not even speak English).

And my biggest achievement this week was that I did a full backbend yesterday at yoga class. If parents, fellow classmates and finances wasn't pressure enough, my own love has become a new factor for the oh-so-competitive me.