the calm before the storm

In case you're wondering why I haven't posted in the past couple weeks: year-end final exams for my Cantonese program start tomorrow. For the past couple weeks I've been a bit busy reviewing my notes in preparation. These exams count for 70% of my yearly grade for this program. Three semesters of work only count for 30% of my yearly grade. Since I have five days of exams, one exam counts more than one semester of schoolwork, tests, and so on. I'm told the Brits are to blame for this. Their universities also weigh the final examinations to a degree unheard of in American schools. I suppose I could also blame the ancient Chinese examination system for this. The mere mention of the Chinese word for "exam" brings smiles and nods of respect from people I meet. Anywho, back to the books...