Excitement

One-and-a-half months, 44 days; I can't wait. I already have all the places I want to go to figured out. I am sure there is no way I can fit all the stuff I will purchase in my luggage on the way back.

Preparing for the class is intense, though. I'm working really hard to have lessons on everything including assignments and video clips/pictures. A letter that Dr. Neal Luo read to the team motivated me to really want to rock the students off their base. The supervisor of the team that went to Guangzhou last year wrote a review of their performance; the previous group sounded unprepared and insensitive to the students. They did not have much of a lesson plan and they spoke too quickly. Overall okay experience, could be much better :(

Besides the excitement of being able to teach, I am quite thrilled about the friends I have made that have declared their commitment to taking care of me while I am there. It turns out that my eye doctor's brother and his wife are in Guangzhou, China teaching. He told me that I could meet him and that he could show me around. Some of my closest friends are from Guangzhou; Tiffany and Lauren. Lauren's parents are thrilled to meet me and have been planning ahead of time to take care of me. Surprisingly enough, her father is a Communist official being a high ranking officer in the military. He really likes to combine his personal friendships with business and is known for helping Chinese businessmen in America as well as with board members of booming companies. He also helps many of the local businesses with special favors that wouldn't be seen in America too often. I'm a bit afraid of being introduced to this way of life so closely; however, I know I can learn much this way and can tell people of this experience. It's not everyday that American college students get to become friends with a high ranking official of the Chinese Party.

I finally declared my minor in East Asian Studies. Why not? I already dedicate much time to learning Chinese, I'm going to China, and most of my friends are from East Asia. It would be anything but wise to not get a certificate that says I can officially teach Chinese and East Asian Culture.

Basically, life's good.

Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. --Proverbs 4:25