Shulian was a colleague and a friend. I loved how, despite being so dedicated to her work, she'd still put up with me whenever I asked her silly questions like whether or not she'd ever adopt a robot and she'd gladly defend the merit of Jackie Chan as an actor and a role model, despite my claims to the contrary. When I dipped my toes into the world of gambling earlier this year, she immediately began discouraging me because she feared I'd become addicted and lose everything. Fortunately, I listened to her and quit while I was still (just slightly) ahead. Not to say she didn't gamble though because the only time I ever baked a cake was when I lost a bet to her. I can't remember what the wager was exactly, but rather than accept money, she wanted me to bring a homemade cake into work for not only her but for everyone in the office. And I did. She ate a piece and lied sweetly when she said it was delicious. Whenever I arrived at work in the mornings and saw her car with that telltale P-plate parked outside the office, I felt happier to be there because I knew Shulian would be sitting next to me that day. I'd think of new things to say or do to make her laugh, but I fear most of my attempts resulted in her being more annoyed than anything else. The reality is that I was a distraction to her, but then again, so was she -- a pleasant distraction that kept me from working. With Shulian next to me, all I ever wanted to do was talk to her, show her things, play a game, make her laugh, even make her cringe if only to hear her say "Je-re-meeee" as she shook her head and then turned back to the computer and continued her work. I'll miss her terribly now and that hurts, but I'll be telling my Shulian ancedotes for many, many years to come to people I've yet to meet and that will ease the pain somewhat. Finally ... about six months ago, in one of those quiet moments at work, Shulian asked me where I thought I would be in five years time. I told her I had no idea, but she seemed to have a pretty good idea. So she proposed we'd make a date to meet in summer 2014, she with her husband and daughter and me with whoever I might be with at that time. It was supposed to be a dinner date and she said she'd only come on one condition: that I'd cook the meal. I accepted and promised that, given 5 years notice, I'd learn to cook. And I still will.