I pitched a bunch of stuff last night, and my apartment is looking emptier and emptier. I also made what was probably my last trip to the supermarket here ... I can safely say that that is one thing I won't miss about Taiwan. But there are a lot of things that I will miss. Despite my seemingly constant bitching and complaining, this place has been my home for over five years, and it's what is familiar to me. So much has changed in America since I've been gone, it's going to take some time to adjust.

I've edited my last blog entry to describe more of what I'm feeling and expecting when I move back, so you can go and re-read that one if you haven't yet, and maybe leave a comment to cheer me up!

I went out for tea this afternoon with one of my close friends here, who is a classmate of mine. He's also gay, and really cute, but unfortunately he already has a boyfriend. But, since I'm leaving, that's not really an issue ... although I have to admit that I wouldn't have minded a little romp in the hay with him ... you know, to satisfy my curiosity and all! hehe But it was nice to have the chance to talk to him and say a proper good-bye. I have a good professor friend who I'd also like to see before I leave, and we'll probably have tea together at this really nice, traditional Chinese tea house next weekend or something. He's been one of my best friends since I've been here, and a fantastic mentor. I'm going to miss him a lot. Fortunately, there's still e-mail, and I'm sure I'll be asking him for lots of advice. He's also got lots of contacts that can help me get acclimated to the world of Sinophile jobs in the D.C. area.

I've finished making the first set of corrections on Chapter 21. Kitty spent an especially long time editing this chapter to get it just right, and even added some own parts herself, which I think work very, very well. I know the past few chapters have been really rough for some people, and I can't say whether or not it's going to get any easier. Just stick with it and wait until the story is finished to decide how you feel. Like I said, in my last entry, I'm going to finish SOOTB before I start posting chapters of the new story. I'm also working on finishing my Summer Anthology story. I kind of like writing short stories, as it can be a nice break when you're in the middle of writing a very intense serial novel. It will be a much more "happy" story as compared to what we've been going through over the past few chapters of SOOTB, so I am looking forward to hearing everyone's thoughts.

And please remember, the next few weeks will be really tough on me ... there is so much to arrange for an international move, and then getting reacclimated back in the States, so if there is a week or so delay between postings, please bear with me. I'm trying my best to keep up with my obligations to my readers, but at the same time, I also have my own stuff that I need to take care of. So, please keep that in mind! Over the next few weeks and months, I'll need a lot of extra support from my friends here, since I don't have any friends left at my old home.

Anyway, that's about it for now. I have another dentist appointment tomorrow afternoon, which should be fun. No one seems to understand how I can actually like going to the dentist, but it doesn't bother me at all. Maybe I'm just weird ... :wacko:

to Vance, Ben, and Kitty for all being such wonderful and supportive friends. You guys have been great, and have taught me that "online buddies" can actually become "real" friends. I don't know what I'd do without you guys as I'm going through all of this stuff, so just know how special and important you all are to me. And, also, special thanks to Nicko, who has been really sweet lately, and I'm happy that he's enjoying the story so much ... and to Shadows as well. All the e-mail messages, PM's, etc. really mean a lot to me. So, thank you, from the bottom of my heart.

And ... don't forget to go check my last blog entry again, since I've added some stuff.

Anywho, that's it for now ... I need to get back to work on Chapter 22, so hopefully it will be ready to post without too long of a delay. But I promise, it won't be long. You guys have all been great friends and readers, and I feel really blessed to have found GA, and found a hobby that gives me a sense of accomplishment, and it's a great feeling that I know that I have touched some people with my story. I just started out writing it for fun, to see if I could actually write fiction, and it has take off beyond my wildest expectiations. So, THANK YOU to all of you. It means the world to me!