it finally happened

I got that email I'd been waiting for: I've been cleared to buy my plane ticket to China! Definitely excited. The only thing now is that I have to get my visa, on my own, which I didn't really understand before this happened; I thought all this paperwork that was taking months equaled visa. This paperwork actually equals a work permit and invitation letter from the government, which must now be taken to the nearest Embassy/Consulate and processed, along with some other papers, and somehow a visa comes out on the other end. The minor issue now becomes that said Consulate is in Houston and I can't ask for time off from what will be two jobs starting next week, so my amazing mother is using her week off from work to go to Houston, be my proxy, and get my visa. Problem (hopefully) solved! I have been waiting for that email to buy my first Chinese-English dictionary, which I did today with the help of Susie Dumond. I also bought a book on Chinese culture, and checked out library books on Chinese history. It's hard to put into words what all I'm thinking and feeling. Other good things right now: I had a great day off and I'll have another tomorrow; this is my last full week ever at the Chick, and I start the Rep next week!

"we were meant to be untamed"