Holidays at Home

Merry Christmas -- I can't believe it's actually Christmas Day, it sure doesn't feel like it.

After two cancelled flights, a bit of anxiety, and a tearful goodbye, I finally made it home. I've been here now for about 6 days, and it's flying by.

The last couple of days have been filled with shopping, family time, and trying to prepare for Christmas and my trip to China. My sister came home a couple of days ago, and this is the first time my whole family has been home together for over a year. It still hasn't completely sunk in yet that in 4 short days I will be leaving for China.

It seems like people spend weeks preparing for Christmas, and in a couple of short hours, it's all over.

I have spent months preparing (mentally) for China, but I've realized in this last week that I have waited till the last minute to do a lot of things. Sometimes I think I work best when I procrastinate. I just bought travel insurance yesterday, and I haven't even started to pack. Luckily, I convinced my parents to buy me a lot of travel related stuff for Christmas, so I think I almost have everything I need. I am only bringing one bag -- as I told myself I would pack super light so that I can travel for months afterwards and not have to worry about having big suitcases.

I am hoping to be able to have enough money to travel until around November, since I told my sister and parents that I would be home in time for Thanksgiving. Between the end of June and that time, I don't know exactly where I'll go and what I'll do. I am trying to talk my sis into meeting me in Thailand, which I'm hoping she will at least consider. If anyone else will be in that area, or are willing to come out to Asia, let me know because I'm up for anything!

I'm not sure when I'll be writing again, but Happy New Year to all, wherever you may be. I'll be in Beijing with Mollie and Shaun (other interns who I'm meeting out there), and I can't wait!