Precursor.

I would like to be reading the US history book I bought today at half-priced books (yes, I am actually that big of a geek (and really need to brush up on the subject)), but should instead be reading my Chinese phrase book. I ought to be brushing up on my Mandarin skills, or serious lack thereof, but will instead write in here. Why? Because I just love procrastinating AND surprises! Forget being prepared! I shall make this whole living in a different country experience one giant surprise. Ordering in restaurants? Getting places? Who really needs to know how, when one could just be completely taken by surprise?! Plus, that language is flippin' tough.

For those who may be unaware, and thus completely confused by the preceding paragraph, on the first of September, I'll be flying from my native state of Texas and on over to the HKG. That's Hong Kong. But more one that later. First, let me tell you of my dear friend Anna.

I met Anna when she was a high school foreign exchange student from Germany. She was quiet, sweet, and played the violin. Of course, our rinky-dink school didn't have a violin, so she was given the bass to play...because that's similar. She soldiered through, made some friends, went back to Germany, and finished high school. Upon graduation, however, she didn't want to go straight into college, because once that's over, folks are known to enter the workforce directly. She wanted to do something and by some stroke of luck, something found her. She went to teach conversational English in China for 6 months. Many years later, she gave me the contact information for the woman who sent her and the rest is history. (For those who may be stoned while reading this or are just paying me half the attention that I desire, this means that I'm going to China to teach English like Anna. Day after tomorrow.)

I have saved up a pittance of what I should have and took the last month in America off to spend gallivanting across various parts of the country to see family and friends. I painted a tea set with my red-headed loves and saw my mother's uterus in Asheville. See below. Note: Uterus not pictured.


I spent time with my mini-me, Tater Tot.

^ I didn't realize I do that with my hands so much.

Also while in Virginia and North Carolina, I spent time with my 'ginia grandparents, along with my uncle & aunt, I rode a fancy motorcycle, listened to my grandpa preach (the only preacher I enjoy listening to), ate at Pie Works, and was urinated on by my new baby cousin James. But it's probably because I told him that I wanted to nom on him...and I do love to eat, so I could see how that could be at least mildly frightening.

I went to Denton to see my other red-head Kelleee Bean. I went to Abilene to visit Travis, Ginell, Joey Joy, family, and to tend to my now Lady-bitless madre. (She's probably thrilled that I have now mentioned her "down there business" twice in this entry). I stayed in Austin and Smithville to relish the last of my days with my friends at Barton Springs and out in Alum Creek. And now I am in Pearland, spending time with Tyler's family. Oh! I forgot to mention the best part. My Bison Biscuit is coming with me!

Now, back to Hong Kong. We are leaving on the 1st, arriving on the 2nd (after 21.5 hours), where we will meet the others who are to be teaching at a school a few hours from us and get familiar with the city until the 5th, when we fly to Guilin. Take a moment to Google image this city, because it looks gorgeous. A woman from the school will be there to pick us up. I have prepared a plethora of lessons and have no idea if a single one is any good and I had some gift cards to Office Depot, which I spent on small gifts for the students. The unfortunate part about this is that most of it was made in China. Soo....

Anyway, I am not entirely sure what to expect, but from talking to Anna, the school shall provide me with a small stipend and an apartment provided with spotty internet connection and a Western toilet. Ah, life is sweet.

And to answer the question of why I want to go do this, from what I can tell, I'm only going to get one shot at life, so I better make it a good one...make it an adventure.