It amazes me to think that I’ve already been here for three months. How is it possible that I’ve nearly equalled last year’s stay so soon? Last year felt like an eternity, this year but an instant.

I taught my last kindergarten summercamp classes this morning. I will see the children again tomorrow, but I won’t be teaching; we’re going to a science-aquarium complex (so far as I know), where they will put their newfound English skills to practical use.

Linda, the American from Florida, left China last Friday. She didn’t even say goodbye; she just left. That after all her complaints about how rude people are here, and how careless people are, and how…….anyways, she left.

With Linda gone, I’ve had my Chinese classes rescheduled. Previously I had a class on one of my days off. Now I get two entirely obligation-free days. Thus, today and tomorrow I will have Chinese class, rather than Wednesday-Thursday.

And did I tell you? I’m visiting Canada in October! I’ll be there for about five days, from September 29th to October 5th. I’m looking forward to it mightily. See all the people I care about, eat fresh (unfried) vegetables – even a salad or two, go for quiet walks on a quiet road on a quiet night, then sleep quietly. And if I’m not going to see you in October, buy your tickets to Beijing, I’ll meet you there.

Chris