3 weeks to go!

Where to start?? So much has happened this summer, I have no idea where to begin! I have...
- Enjoyed spending time with my family, including camping with my extended family last weekend,
- Worked 20-30 hour weeks at McDonald's (they seem to like me there - I keep getting called in on my days off to fill in for absent people),
- Picked fresh fruit and veggies from our yard. I have even experimented - for you cooks out there, gooseberry applesauce is a very delicious discovery!
- Visited the Experimental Aircraft Association's (EAA) airshow in Oshkosh, WI - it makes all other airshows pale in comparison. What can beat loud explosions, an aerobatic helicopter, fireworks and a jet-powered pickup??

As far as preparations for the upcoming semester go, I have gotten several details taken care of, but it is going to be an interesting 3 weeks while I try to remember everything I have forgotten to do. So far, I have received my visa, so I can legally enter the country. My round-trip flights are also taken care of! They were rather inexpensive, and fit my schedule well. I have a direct flight on August 22, landing on the 23rd, and am returning on December 17 - it will be a VERY long day!

I have received most of the details of my program at this point. For those of you who do not know, I am studying at Minzu University in Beijing, which specializes in ethnic group studies. There will be 4 other students studying with this program, which is not surprising because this will be its inaugural semester. The first week will consist of orientation-type activities, but we will take 2 days to tour Beijing - Tienanmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall, the Beijing Opera House, etc. We will be taking 9 credits of Mandarin language, and 3 credits on the 56 ethnic groups, which I talked about in my previous post. We also have the option of taking another 3 credit class at Peking University, with subjects ranging from business to history. I have chosen to take a course on the history of Beijing, which I think will be very interesting to study as I experience the city in its modern state. My program also sent me a Lonely Planet guidebook to China, which has information on attractions, food and pricing. I think it will come in handy ;-)

These next few weeks might be a little hectic. There are so many little details to work out now with my bank, packing, scheduling, and making sure I have everything I need without over-doing it. It is finally sinking in that I will be out of the country. I am excited and nervous at the same time, but I know it will be one of the most memorable experiences I will ever have. I really appreciate all the encouragement and interest I have received from many of you. It means a lot to me to know that there are so many people supporting me and cheering me on.