The time has finally arrived that I make my way home back to America. I leave by night train to Beijing, arrive there tomorrow morning, take a United flight to San Francisco at noon, make another layover in Denver, then finally arrive in Tulsa. I should get to Tulsa around 8 PM on Saturday night. I actually gain time since I come from China. In total the trip will take about 48 hours…and the first thing that I will want (after a bag of Cheetos) is a nice, long shower.

This year has been the hardest for me in terms of motivation. I’m not sure why, but I’m surprised I’ve felt this way. I realize that being in a foreign culture can be hard and extremely difficult in ways that a person’s not normally used to. Perhaps this is just one area…or maybe I’ve recently become extremely lazy. I’ve always handed back homework to student quickly, but I’ve struggled this year to do that. Even my blogging has not been enjoyable or punctual as usual. I’m really looking forward to this summer in having no Grad class and will simply be able to be around family. No agendas and no harsh schedules. In the meantime, I’m packing up and compiling final grades. This Friday night I board a night train for Beijing where I will be flying out Saturday noon en route to the States. Ah, home sweet home!