What an adventure...

... and life altering experience. In the winter of 2002/2003, Andre left for Denmark to pursue his Master's degree in what started as Artificial Intelligence, and ended up as Robotics instead, converging into the final topic of Multi-Agent Robotic Network. When he left, the only promise we had with each other was to tell the truth, no matter how difficult the truth ended up being to the recipient. There were no promises of return and as I like to call it, we started on a "wing and a prayer". When in fact when we agreed to see this relationship out rather than give up we weren't sure what we were in for, but there was nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

In those 2 years, he participated in two Robocup competitions held at DTU in Copenhagen. The first year, unburdened by an approaching thesis deadline his team won 9th place and a cash prize to be used towards the price of robot parts. The second year, their robot went and royally fried itself, but surprisingly enough it came back enough to run the race but without the stellar results of the year before. He also successfully defended his thesis with a grade equivalent of an A. I raced with a dragonboat team known as Water Dragons and although our placement wasn't too bad, our team spirit was admirable, and got in 3 dance competitions, to place a variation of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th in categories of Newcomer, Bronze, and Silver.

I also visited Denmark 2x and found a family that was willing to accept me as one of their own and a country so gorgeous that my love affair with Europe has only strengthened. It has been four summers in a row that I've been there. Maybe I was the only dark-haired Asian there, but in their hearts I was an adopted Dane. The same developed the other way.

And above it all we realized the depth and strength of our love, forged and tempered with the sands of time and the anvil of trial and distance. Restricted to occasional visits and the phoneline we learned to communicate, to talk, to be honest to the very bottom of our heart to each other; we learned just how much we loved each other; and how secure we felt in each other's arms and apart because regardless of time and distance we are still together and will always be.

Adios to a chapter closed and memories forever sweet, and Aloha to a chapter beginning with memories and smiles lurking just around the corner. I love you Andre -have a safe flight and welcome home to Canada.