Lotus' Excellent Adventure

Final Week

lotusl888 — Mon, 28 Aug 2006 06:12:26 +0000

I’m down to my final week in Seattle. I spent the last two weeks visiting my family in Houston. The highlight was meeting my new niece, Jennifer (isn’t she the cutest?). Jennifer just arrived in the states from China about a month ago via adoption by my sister and her husband. I wanted to take her with me to China, but I’m sure there would have been a bounty for my head if I had.

I’m spending the last few days figuring out how I’m going to pack everything I want to take with me. I’ve already shipped three boxes and will ship another one before I leave. I’m also having a few last non-Chinese meals since that will be my primary staple for the foreseeable future.

I’ve worked out some of the previous technical problems. Thanks to my technical guru nephew, Geoffrey, I’ve got a link to photos on my flickr site. My apologies for the infrequent postings but there’s not a lot to write about until I get to China. I’m sure I will have more to report once I begin my adventure. So until I get settled in and have some experiences to report, I’ll say “Zai Jin” or “goodbye.”

Countdown Begins

lotusl888 — Wed, 16 Aug 2006 03:48:59 +0000

With a little more than two weeks before I leave for China, I’m not sure what to feel — excited or scared. Right now I’m feeling a little of both. I spent the last few weeks enjoying Seattle summers. I went on a few more hikes, kayaked in Lake Union and mountain biked in the Methow Valley. I don’t want to give the impression that I’m always this active. Again, I’m just trying to soak it in while I can.

My apologies for the dearth of updates to my blog, but as I noted above, I’ve been busy doing as many fun things as possible. I’m also trying to work out some technical difficulties, such as links to a photo site. I’ll have to have my technical guru nephew to help so I hope you’ll bear with me until I get it figured out.

Five Weeks and Counting

lotusl888 — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 16:12:01 +0000

It’s five weeks and counting before I depart for my Excellent Adventure in China for the next two years. In the past couple of weeks, I have become homeless and car-less. I rented out my house and have been living out of a suitcase like a vagabond at various friends’ homes. (A special shout out to my gracious friends who have taken me in.) I sold my car over the weekend and now can’t even live out of my car. I feel a little discombulated, but I’m relieved to have completed these two very big tasks. Now I’m just enjoying my last few weeks in Seattle soaking in the sunny weather, blue skies, mountain scenery and other picturesque views. As my friend who I went bike riding with last week said as we rounded a bended and caught a glimpse of Mount Rainier, “Soak it in while you can.” So soaking it in, I am. I spent my first week as if I were on vacation. I stayed with my friend, Marilyn, who lives across from Green Lake, my favorite local place where I spend many a day walking and where I conjured up my upcoming adventure. I went hiking at Talapus Lake the first day, rollerbladed around the lake the next, went for a bike ride the next, kayaked on the lake one morning and had breakfast in our kayaks and ended the week with another hike with Christine at Annette Lake. By the end of the week, I was pooped!

I don’t think my last few weeks will be as action-packed but who knows? The weeks aren’t over yet.