Ready, Set, Blastoff!

It's hard to believe that it was over a year and a half ago that teaching in China was just a far-off dream and now in 3 days it will become a reality!

I think I have successfully shoved, squished, and coerced my belongings into two 50 lb bags (which may seem like a TON of room and weight, but it's not...).

I'm excited to be immersed in a culture so different than my own and hope that I can use the time that I'm over there to embrace the differences that make the Chinese people unique.

Oh and for an update on my goals that I made for myself:

1. I have learned a few Chinese phrases, nothing too impressive though :)
2. I did not learn many dishes...but I am bringing over my own spices, so that I can disguise the flavor of any food that I might mess up.
3. I checked out and read several books on China that I renewed for the entire summer (much to the chagrin of the library workers). I don't know that I'm ready to explain all the emperors' accomplishments, but it gave me a better understanding of their history and culture.
4. I did not inhale exhaust from my car. Something kept telling me that it wasn't a good idea...

Anyway, I am not sure if/when I will be able to access my blog once I get over there, but if I can't, I'll find some other way to keep in touch.

I hope all of you are enjoying the last few days of summer!

Blessings,

Leslie

Sentimentality

Well, first let me say that I can officially go to China now that my visa is in! Wahoo!

I am still very excited to go, but lately, I've been feeling sentimental. There's a lot to look forward to, but there are many things that I will miss...

I'm going to miss my little terror of a dog, Blazerboo. He chews up my shoes, has eaten more of my highly anticipated leftovers than I care to think about, and I'm actually allergic to him, but I'm going to miss that happy little face that greets me when I walk in the door (he's always excited even if I've just gone out to check the mail...)



And I'm going to miss my sister's quirky Saturday morning routine where she wakes up, and then comes in my room to ask me to wake her up, so that she can have a more pleasant morning greeting than her alarm clock.




I'm going to miss hearing my little nephew Garrett tell me, "I like your eyelashes, Aunt Lee Lee" (which I promise I did not tell him to say...he's so complimentary!)



I'm going to miss my mom showing me her thoughtfulness through simple gestures such as making me coffee every morning.



I'm going to miss getting together for a family dinners and then playing games afterwards (which more often then not turns into disagreements about whether or not guessing "coat" is close enough to "jacket" in Guesstures).



There are many little things that I know are going to make me homesick from time to time, but I am confident that those times will make me rely more on Him and that they will bring an even greater appreciation for the many blessings in my life.

Only 20 days left!