Catch-up

Well, the fact that I can’t even continue a monthly blog while IN the states probably isn’t a good sign.  Nonetheless, I will do my best from here on out. 

A note about the Visa.  I didn’t really need to freak out.  Sacrificing a weekend to the Finger lakes and $700 later, I merely walked in and out of the NYC China Consulate within five minutes, and repeated the process the next morning with perhaps a two minute lengthier stay.  Barely a word once I handed my documents; my life; over to the man behind the glass in a sort-of bank-like looking reception.  “Pay tomorrow” were his words; a small receipt and I was on my way.  The next morning I stood in the small ‘queue’ (since that seems to be the Chinese-English choice for the word ‘line’) behind about five people and got my passport that now had a full page sticker labeled Chinese Visa, Z on it.  Entries; 1.  Duration of stay; 000.  I wasn’t gonna question it. 

Then, some few weeks later, I was saying goodbye to my love so he could get his visa across the seas, grading final coursework for my summer grammar and writing course, going to farewell parties, visiting my little in Rochester, spending one last Sunday at church, and finally my cousins wedding (my last ‘event before departure).  Barely packed, clothes in a pile and nothing quite thought through thoroughly, I attempted to get ready to leave.  Of course, my loving and considerate mother that I have, insisted I spend the week prior to departure cleaning and sorting through all my belongings in my parents’ house.  “One Bin!” I was allowed.  Well I got it down to about 4.5, not counting the stuff in my bedroom.  That’s just gonna have to wait.  Between Sunday night and Tuesday afternoon, I was prepared to leave with two massive bags, both carefully weighing 50.0 lbs and 50.5 lbs, my travel book bag, and an oversized computer/ hand luggage case.