Packing 101: Feeding the Ivar's Seagulls and Other Such Seattle Adventures

August 12th is only a week away! It's so weird to be counting down to such a big event and have it be almost here -- remembering when it was 187 days away...now it is 7. I suppose I should start packing.

. . .

This time last year I was preparing for my first trip to China. At that time I had traveled farther within the U.S. than abroad. (Canada really isn't that far away.) I had no idea what to expect besides knowing that a 2 1/2 week study abroad session would surely be enough. I was dead wrong. This trip changed everything. Within a few days I had fallen in love with China. I couldn't go home. So, long story still long, with a return flight to Seattle scheduled only 5 days away I enrolled at Xi Nan Da Xue (pronounced "she nahn dah shway" Southwest University) in Beibei (pronounced Bay-bay). *A big thanks to all who made this possible!*

But, I guess, 3 months wasn't enough... As I was packing to finally come home, I had already made up my mind -- I would be returning next school year, but this time to teach. (Mom & Dad weren't too thrilled to hear that their little girl was leaving again. Maybe the airport parking lot wasn't the right place to tell them...)

. . .

So here I am now: 7 days away. I will be teaching at SWU for an entire year but not before a stop in Beijing to watch some of the Olympic games. 2008 is said to be the year of China and it will be an exciting time as the world watches closely and pressures for reform. 8 is considered a lucky number in China -- with the opening ceremony being scheduled for 8 pm on 8-8-08 we'll see if that holds true.

While I can't wait for my time in Beijing, I am more looking forward to my time spent in Beibei and becoming immersed, once again, in the Chinese culture -- to know more about these people and their country, their culture, their thoughts, their hopes, and their lives. I am ready to embark on this adventure. Now if I could only remember where I put my passport...

. . .

I will miss you all greatly! Please send me your stories and updates.