T minus 64 days

64 days. July 5, 2011. That is when my contract officially begins with the Chinese Society of Education Training Center (CSETC). It feels like forever from now, but it really isn't very much time. I've got a lot of work to do between now and then, such as: graduating from college, getting my visa and other travel info straightened out (including waiting for my passport to arrive: frustrating!), and saying goodbye to friends and family for a year. I haven't really even had much time to sit down and absorb what has all happened and what I will be experiencing yet; I've been busy with passing classes and finishing up my work with the Saint John's Senate and RedGage, and enjoying my remaining days with my college friends. There are a lot of things happening at once here, but luckily I have friends, family, colleagues, and professors who are willing and able to help me through all the hurdles I face as I race towards 7/5/2011.

One other thing to get used to: writing the date as 2011/07/05. That's how they handle it in China, and on all their legal documents.

I'm going to try to document the days leading up to my arrival in China here, and continue to blog while in China and throughout the entire process, up until and perhaps after my return in August of 2012. I'll try to keep it interesting.


EDIT
I should also note, for posterity, that Osama (or Usama) Bin Laden was killed last night.  And there was much rejoicing across the SJU campus, including many flags, three different rallies, one pick up truck, a flaming dumpster, various fireworks, and a flare gun.  My roommates and I only participated for a short while, we spent most of that time watching the news reports on television.