Off to China!

Tomorrow, I am off China! This week has been great- starting with the awesome surprise party (see below), then a great breakfast with girlfriends yesterday morning and one of the best meals I've ever had with my Matt. Tonight, my parents, sister, Matt, and I are heading to dinner somewhere in our 'hood and having cake at our house. The best birthday gift (although I've had some great ones:)- has been seeing family and friends this week and reminding myself how lucky I am!

I really only started packing today, although I've been running around town for a week getting gifts for my host family, essential toiletries (portable toilet paper), and getting the students ready for this trip as well. I'm pretty much ready to go, since I'm keeping the clothes, etc to a minimum (a feat for me). Although it definitely won't be relaxing as I am essentially 'in charge' of 8 students, I know that it is a wonderful and once in a lifetime opportunity. As long as I get through the flight, I know it will be great!

Stay tuned for photos and flip video that I will try to post while I am gone.
Thanks again to everyone who helped me make my bday so sweet!

Surprise!

It is not often that people can surprise me, because I am very nosy and like to plan everything I do myself (OK, Type A, I guess)

So, I was SO surprised last night when we walked into No Mas Cantina with Matt and my sister under the impression that we were just meeting up with my lovely friend Sarah and her boyfriend Dave and SO MANY other friends and my parents were there waiting. Crazy! It was really a big surprise, even though right before we left our house I got an idea since Sarah kept texting me telling me that she 'was dressing cute' and wearing a dress because that was the only clean clothes she had- she knows me well and was trying to tip me off to dress up a little!

Matt pulled this whole party off so well, with the help of my sis and Sarah. What a great night! Great friends, some really fun presents (I am really excited about my new Flip camera thanks to my parents that I can take to China), yummy banana and caramel cake, and most of all the reminder again that I am so blessed and lucky!!

I have much more to catch up on with posting...and will post even more pictures soon!

Exciting stuff!!

So, it's all over (or maybe it's all beginning).....Yesterday, I successfully defended my prospectus! It went very well, better than I expected. I felt very nervous before I began and then as soon as I started talking, I felt fine. It lasted a little over an hour, including questions and comments from my committee. I didn't think I answered their questions very well, but I got tons of helpful insight into how I can improve my study before I begin. It was a great feeling and it's a nice milestone to have done.
Now, the fun begins! I have to get all the permission and details ready to start collecting data in August until next March. It will be very time intensive in addition to my teaching roles, but I am very excited to do this. So, now when people ask me when I will graduate I can actually give a pretty good estimate- December 2010....and that actually seems close!!!
Thanks to everyone who send emails, messages, etc with their prayers and positive thoughts!

So, now, I need to do all the getting ready stuff I have been putting off before I leave for China March 28. There's lots to do teaching-wise before I leave. This weekend, we're heading to Louisiana for our friends' Allie & Brad's wedding. We are excited and hope to spend a few hours eating good food in New Orleans before we head home Sunday.