no matter how much they love you, you can't get a five-year-old to come to the phone when they are watching justice league on cartoon network. sarah came by long enough to say that she was praying for me every night and when is my exam and then scooted back to the tv without waiting for the answer. ariel wouldn't come to the phone at all (but politely, as usual. mom: auntie min is on the phone, who wants to talk to her? ariel: no, thank you.) but my cousin affirms that sarah is most diligent about their bedtime prayers. the list of people she prays for, i am told, is lengthy. (ariel: why does jiejie take so long to pray?) my cousin writes to say that "she prays that you will pass your big test, find good friends, be happy and eat properly. Sometimes it's quite amazing that she can anticipate your needs quite accurately." and my aunt, when i rang yesterday, said, nonsense, you're more important to us than any stupid old exam.

right then. chin up, girlie.