The preparations for my move are coming along pretty well. I've managed to pitch some more junk and trash (since I'm such a pack rat), done some cleaning, and tomorrow I'll box up some books to take to the post office on Monday. I'll be sending them via sea, since it's a lot cheaper, and if I send them, they might even be waiting for me when I get home in July. Less than three months left to go now ...

The mosquitoes are still invading full-force, as vicious as ever. I swear, they must be specially bred or something ... maybe genetically mutated from the pollution here or nuclear waste. They're wicked and relentless, and no amount of mosquito repelling incense seems to keep them at bay. My legs are totally covered with mosquito bites, and it's driving me insane!

Chapter 10 of SOOTB has now been posted, and I was pretty pleased with how this chapter turned out, even though it went from intense feelings of joy to intense feelings of sadness at the end. But it provides a good lead in to Chapter 11 (which Kitty has already completed the first edit of). She's also started working on Chapter 12 and has "ordered" me to release the next two chapters closely together, so everyone who's been enjoying the story can look forward to that in about a week or so.

I want to say a few words about Kitty. Over the past couple of months that we've been working together, I've gotten to know her as not only an editor, but a friend as well. And it's both an honor and a privilege to be able to call her that, my "friend." Not only does she give me excellent advice (and encouragement) on my writing, but also about various problems, situations, or decisions I've had to deal with in my life. She's proven to be a very wise and thoughtful person, and I always, always take her advice to heart. And without even knowing me in real life, or how my mind/personality works, she knows just how to say things in such a way that makes me listen. Being a Buddhist, I don't believe in "coincidence," and I feel that Kitty and I got together for a reason, and that has been for her to teach me. And I am very grateful for that.

I get most of the credit for the stories, but Kitty deserves as much credit as I do. It's a team effort, and the stories wouldn't be nearly as good without her input, and I probably wouldn't be as confident as I am about making such large, life-altering decisions without the support and input she has given me. I can't think of anyway to repay her for everything she's done. So, Kitty, if you read this blog entry, all I can say to you is a big "THANK YOU." You have no idea how much you have done for me and inspired me, and not just in the editing of my stories. You're a phenomenal person, and an example of the kind of person I hope to be one day.