it is my last day of work today. unbelievable to think i have worked here since 1998! thanks for the good reference rach! it has been such a fantastic job and i have made a lot of friends, not to mention learnt heaps (about students, about lecturers, about equation editor...). so thanks to everyone in Statistics Department at Auckland University for being so welcoming and friendly and taking a genuine interest in my dreams and plans... and i will keep in touch!