Thanks to everyone! 

Last weekend, I was very excited because I passed my Qualifications test. It was hard to find time to study for it, since I worked during the day and then took night classes. Furthermore, the test date was moved up by two weeks. That was really bad news! Then, I was certain that I was going to fail it! Even worse, we hadn’t completely finished the class syllabus yet at that time!

My friends always believed that I would pass the test. Whenever I felt tired and wanted to give up, I just remembered what they all had said to me, “You can do it! I know it! Just believe in yourself!” I found their words to be inspiring! I then thought to myself, “You cannot fail the test no matter what! Regardless of how you feel you must continue to study!” Finally, as a result, I did it! I achieved what I set out to do and passed the test! So now, I want to thank sincerely all of my friends for their encouragement and moral support. Thanks to all of you! Thanks to everyone who has always believed in me!

Tracy, "Congratulations!" (again!) While I know that you've been busy studying for your test, please take your time when composing your essays. If possible, review and edit it at least twice before posting. Again, watch your tenses, and try to keep similar ideas together rather than apart and in different locations.  Perhaps you do think that way (your original thought "...no matter how hard it is.."), but most English speakers would say it as I wrote above. Since you have had some exposure to the language now, it might be a good time to review the basics again since you may understand it better now. As always, should you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. Jonathan (p.s. Thursday is a holiday here, so I may go out of town over the weekend!).