EXACTLY one week...

I don't even know if I can make it.

Shawn did the smart thing and didn't look at any of the Camp Croix pictures that were e-mailed or blogged,(and told me not to look at them) but I couldn't help it. What a mistake. I can't believe we've gone 10 months without seeing any of the kids (or any of you Wollers). I can't believe I have to wait yet ANOTHER week to see them again. I could have cried, and I am NOT a crier.

I'm not usually one to get stressed out, but I've definitely been feeling the effects. I've been having crazy dizzy spells and just general fatigue and weakness. (And I'm CRANKY!) However, all of our bags are completely packed except for a few clothes and the Wii. Our flat is totally cleaned except for the ridiculous amount of sand in Ningxia which leaves our flat looking as if I haven't swept in months about 5 minutes after I've finished. The upside of my stress for Shawn is that he hasn't had to clean or pack a single thing. I've been so intent on keeping myself busy and distracted so he's been able to play video games, learn Chinese Chess, and almost finish season 10 (or 11, 12??) of ER.

We were going to leave for Beijing on Thursday and have 2-3 days to maybe go see the Wall and hit up the Silk Market, but our school "didn't realize" that we had already bought our tickets for America and that they couldn't ask us to stay 2 extra weeks to take care of visas. So, we will get our visas, but we will have to stay in Ningxia until Saturday. Our actual flight out of Beijing leaves the 30th, and we're scheduled to get home on the 30th around 12:40pm. We simply can not wait to be home.

We should be sprinting to the finish here, doing our "work" with a burst of energy, but it will be really tough to not just hide in our flat for a week solid. We've got a few more classes to teach, but we're just watching movies, so our showing up is just a formaility. You should all know that Shawn has a much better attitude than I do right now. I'm working on it.

Point being, we are very much looking forward to seeing ALL of you.

Eric, if I cry and hug you when I get off the plane... don't judge me.

I should go sweep the floor... again.