Hi there,

Just a quick, little update on upcoming days. I am excitedly looking forward to the upcoming weeks! First off, we get to see a friend tonight for a movie we haven’t seen in several months. Isn’t it peculiar how relationships work? Some friends you won’t see for months or years and they are still “my friend so-and-so”. Isn’t it fun! We’re planning on steam cooking brownies. (yes, it is possible, and yes, they taste amazing!) Also… tomorrow is my birthday!! Monica and I are going out to a “cultural breakfast”…whatever that means… with some of our friends. FLASHBACK to Christmas: our Christmas gift from Sam was a surprise destination day trip. NOW: I truly know nothing about what is going on tomorrow, and I can’t wait! It’ll be a lively event for certain!

This coming week is also my last official week of work for nearly one month! For those or you who don’t know, Chinese New Year is…monolithic to the Chinese. It is not a trivial la-de-da holiday. Think Christmas in NYC…everywhere. Basically the entire nation is closed for at least two weeks (including banks and some government offices) and most schools have the entire month of February off. I work for a grand total of five and a half days in the whole month of February. The whole vacation is unpaid, and if I make it through the month with my saving mostly intact, it’ll be a miracle. The holiday, however, will be well worth it! So much free time! In this free time, Monica and I are going on a holiday!! Yep! we’re off to Beijing for four days. We’ll stroll the Great Wall, ski learn how to ski fall often while learning too ski, eat at Cold Stone, shop, and so much more! Also, we won’t be alone. Monica’s friend and old co-worker will be taking time out of his busy work schedule to schlep us poor souls around the mammoth city. PTL for that or this trip would be exceedingly difficult.

I know that none of these things have happened yet, but I am just so excited that I had to share! A prayer for safe travels would be extra appreciated. God Bless!