I know, I know, it's been almost a month since my last post, but I knew this blogging business would be hard to keep up. I'll give you a little update about life in Beijing since my last post.

The great wall was nothing less than amazing. I'm pretty sure I've put pictures up of the trip but if not, will do soon! It was something I've always wanted to do and it was really great to finally see the legendary great wall of China. It was a fun trip with two of my good friends from Germany, who I got to know really well and have really made a strong friendship with them since.

I feel like I've assimilated into Beijing life, moving through daily life as if there was never anything before. Things seem so routine now and the things I encounter don't really annoy me as they did when I last wrote. I've gotten it into my head as - that's just the way things are. It's almost like a second home.

I've re-booked my ticket home to the US for December 29th. I've also booked a trip to India (Bangalore and Udupi) for mid-December and also Dubai for 3 days in late-December. I'm really excited to go back to India and visit a good friend from college and go to my cousins weddings in Udupi. Dubai, what can I say about Dubai, of course I'm excited to go stay with my roommate in his home town and live it up!

As for Beijing, I finally feel like my time is coming to an end. Although I still have one solid month here, I feel as though I'm on my way out. One of my classes has already ended, I have a final exam next week for another, and yet another ends in 2 weeks. After my exam next week I will have 5 day weekends. Yes that's right Deepa, I will have more days off than I know what to do with but don't worry, I am appreciating it and know I'm very spoiled.

As for all those free days, I think I'm going to plan a trip to Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou, and a separate trip to Hong Kong and maybe Macau. I also want to make it out to Xi'an to visit Mr. Terra Cotta Warrior, and I'm sure I'll have no trouble fitting that two day trip in somewhere amongst the free days.

As my time grows clower to an end I want to start writing some reflections pieces on my time here in Beijing. What I've noticed is that I really miss being home. I miss being in Oxford, around everything that is so familiar to me. I wouldn't change this experience for the world because I've learned a lot about myself, but I can't say its easy to maintain friendships and relationships while abroad. Was it all worth it?

Who knows?

So here's to a strong last month of blogging. I hope I can at least manage to squeeze one post out a week, I don't think that's too much to ask, although I am a very busy man over here. =P