Answer to question one: Pi Xian, Sichuan, China
Answer to question two: A prof of mine got a huge grant for her survey archaeology project, and being the only archaeology grad student in the department, I've been invited to go with her for a month.
Answer to question three: No
So yes, on December 18th I will begin my journey to Chengdu with pit stops in Tokyo and Beijing, carrying two bags: one full of waterproof clothing, boots, and long underwear; the other full of patience, a good sense of humor, and possibly a twinge of insanity.
Yes, both Christmas and my birthday will be spent on the opposite side of the globe from my friends and family. Yes, I will miss hubby and kitties a LOT.
But I am a hopeless archaeologist who cannot resist the opportunity to dig up old stuff in random places, usually in the guise of thinly-veiled slave labor and "interesting" living conditions.
So Etruria will have to wait, because baby's goin' to China!