A Life Far Removed from Durian Trees

Not sure if they still show that at the end of Malay movies ("The End"). We finished the Arabic textbook today, yay! It was my last class... I feel weirdly happy even though (i) I didn't get a proper certificate and (ii) I wouldn't say I can speak fluently. But there it is. Something achieved. "Tammat dirasat al-arabi" (The study of Arabic has been completed) I'm guessing that's where the Malay word "tamat" came from. (Image from www.tate.org.uk : Pakistan 19th century, Victoria and Albert Museum)

Now, with the "end" in sight, my Arabic teacher and I are trying to finish the textbook before I leave for the Eid holiday. Starting chapter 15 tomorrow, to reach chapter 20 by September 8th. "I don't think so." That's what my driver said.

My Arabic teachers says I'm one of her top two students, the other being a guy that I know. She said he pressed her to admit who is slightly better ( wah! so kiasu! ) but she reassured me that we're both the same. I think he is better than me - we're not in the same class but I know he speaks Arabic very fast while I stop to conjugate verbs. Even if I were the better student, she'd favour him anyway because he's " nasheit " (energetic/hard-working) and " zhaki " (smart)...and is a tall & handsome Frenchman. Can't compete with that... Anyway, today I am sooooo S.M.U.G. because I got 19.5/20 and he got 12/20. Still, I cannot win against Golden Boy because teacher said he did the test in 15 minutes while I finished it in 35 mins. *sigh*