Goodbye Beijing

Oh Saturday..how I love you! I actually didn’t really sleep in the morning (it is very loud in the hostel) but I enjoyed knowing I didn’t HAVE to get up for anything. I had my cereal and took a shower before heading to Costa Coffee. I wanted to get a muffin for lunch and then a few for traveling tomorrow..but they only had one! What a bummer! After I also went to the English bookstore in the hopes of finding some guidebooks that weren’t too heavy. No such luck..everything weighed about 50 pounds. Oh well!

Now I am at Starbucks uploading pictures and videos! So the pictures will be new and I had to delete the old videos to add these new ones! But I hope you enjoy! I also wanted to let you know..you are on VACATION next week! Woo hoo!

On Sunday (tomorrow) I am leaving for Chengdu, China and will not have internet access which means no blog updates for the week. So rest those eyes because NEXT weekend you will have a weeks’ worth to read! My plan is to leave the hostel by 7:00am and take a cab to the airport. My flight leaves at 10:00am and should arrive in Chengdu at 12:30pm. I will then be picked up by a driver for the 3 hour drive to Befengxia Panda base. I will spend Sunday night-Saturday morning working with Pandas (probably picking up poop!) I really have no idea what to expect and am a little nervous, but also excited.

One thing I am definitely not looking forward to is no internet..which normally wouldn’t be the END of the world (and still isn’t) but I will be there for my birthday and am a little bummed that I will be all alone. Although who better to spend your birthday with than yourself! I am definitely going to miss being home for my birthday..especially because I keep getting emails from places giving me coupons for my birthday! Fire & Ice and Dairy Queen have BOTH been emailing me! Mom & Dad DO NOT steal my DQ coupon..ok ok I GUESS you can have it!

I am definitely sad to be leaving Beijing. I love it here and am so happy. I have met the most amazing people and have made great friends. I am finally comfortable here..which I guess it means it is time to go!

I am used to (to some degree) the amount of spitting in China. I am no longer phased when I hear someone hawk up a loogie, although it still grosses me out.

I have a better appreciation for literacy since being in Beijing. It is AMAZING to be near the school and realize I CANNOT read anything, nor can I communicate with anyone. I also have a greater respect for those people who can speak more than one language and those who are able to quickly translate from one to another.

When I studied abroad in Italy..the two things I wished I had brought were a blanket and my DVD’s. I brought both this time and am SO happy I did! The blanket is wonderful and it is so nice to snuggle with at night. I actually have not watched ONE DVD which is good because it means I have been so busy. But I think they will come in handy next week when I don’t have anything to do at night.

Tonight was great..we all went out for dinner at a hot pot restaurant and then to Coldstone for dessert! I am definitely going to miss my friends when I leave Beijing!

I am beyond frustrated right now. It’s 2am (I need to be up at 6) and I was hoping to post all my pictures and videos since I won’t have internet next week. I still have more videos to post (of the Temple of Heaven) and the pictures are a MESS! They posted in NO order..which is driving me INSANE! Really it is..BUT I am learning..and you know what?...you are JUST going to have to deal with pictures that are NOT in order and make no sense..because I realize it is wasted energy to take the time and effort to put them in order (and I still wouldn’t be done at 6am). Also, my iPod doesn’t work because it told me it is corrupted. Wonderful, just wonderful! Ugh! Haha ok well I HAVE to laugh at my life right now.

Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, blog comments, emails, etc. I have had SUCH an incredible time in Beijing and I am so glad you are all able to share this experience with me. My next blog update will be from Ho Chi Minh City and I will make sure to fill you in about my time with the Pandas.

One last round of hugs and kisses from Beijing.