You're only [a few] days away..!

So this is my first blog, ever. I saw Julie & Julia the other day (FABULOUS movie by the way - I'll be the millionth person to say Meryl Streep is the most talented actress around) and was inspired by the way Julie Powell's blog "moved" so many people. Now I'm not trying to impress any publishers to make my blog into a book deal which will then turn into a movie but I do hope I'll be able to keep up with this blog enough to keep everyone informed about my studying abroad in China! Aah! So enjoy, comment if you like, and know I miss you!

So I am leaving for China in almost exactly 2.5 days. I am proud of the fact that I am actually still breathing and doing okay, even if I have a LOT of packing left to do. The house is kind of a disaster zone - I've been taking up my parent's chairs and the washer/dryer, as well as the entire upstairs hallway. But I figure I'll be done very soon.

I think part of the reason I'm feeling pretty great about going abroad is due to how amazing language school was. The picture is of all the San Nianji's (I'm on my computer right now that doesn't recognize/read Chinese characters) or third year's this summer. I never thought spending 4 hours in class plus another 6-8 hours (more or less) doing homework and learning characters would be as fabulous as it was. We all agreed it was due to our teachers, who were forced to live with us, eat Atwater food (which got worse and worse as the summer progressed), and hang out with us all the time, that made the most difference. I plan on meeting up with as many teachers as I can after Hanzghou when I go to visit Beijing/Shanghai. I'm definitely thankful for that experience, and for knowing that I won't make as huge a fool out of myself as I might have had I not been through that intensive immersion experience.

But for now, everything's pretty much ready. I (or more like my Dad) bought the paper back Deathly Hallows, so I'm hoping that tides me over for the majority of the flight. Let the games begin.