We're at T-minus 32 hours and counting until my departure. A month in China has been packed into two carry-on bags. There is a stack of art history exams to grade, and this must be completed before I leave. I am now going into hiding and will emerge either en route or in Chengdu. Cheers to all, happy holidays, and wish my kitties luck in staying at home with my husband for entertainment...... read more

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 ... read more