- I have absolutely no motivation for classes anymore. Can't remember the last time I had a week of perfect attendance for every class. I am ashamed (but only very slightly) to say that I am skipping class right now. It doesn't help that I can cover the material perfectly well at home (which in my defence, I do). Note to self: must break habit before starting grad school in the fall.

- Finals are three weeks away. Flight out of China is eight weeks away.

- Craig has arranged his return trip to the US via Toronto, specifically on my flight. Sweet! We just need to arrange the seat assignments we're sitting together. Here's to hoping for emergency evacuation seats - he's a tall guy and needs the legroom.

- The government has ratcheted up the firewall. Since Friday, Google is blocked more frequently than usual and for some inexplicable reason, Gmail is occasionally blocked too (although there is some discussion as to whether this is a network issue rather than a firewall issue). This block is worse than usual - my usual proxy can't get around it. Have redirected any mail sent to my Gmail address to my (new!) Carleton University email so I don't have to break the habit of compulsive email-checking. My mother wonders if it has something to do with this week being the anniversary of the iananmenTay assacreMay. Yes, I just used pig-Latin to avoid triggering the block to my own blog.

- An exchange about biking and fashion
Me: Do you think I can bike in this skirt?
Craig: That depends; do you want to bike or do you want to bike AND retain your modesty?
Me: I'm going to change into pants.

- I desperately want a digital SLR camera (possibilities are the Canon Digital Rebel line, Nikon D50 or D70, or the Pentax *istDL. I've craved one for, oh, three years now and seriously considered getting one last spring... until I realized I was saving for this year China. Will have to see what I have left from my travel funds by the end of this summer - and if I can suppress my Scrooge-ish nature for saving. Maybe this will be my treat to myself for securing enough funding (Teaching Assistantship and scholarship) to cover tuition for the entire duration of my Masters?

- Craig has hooked me on to Lost. I bought Season One DVDs (price: 10 USD) last weekend and we blew threw the entire season (18 hours) in one week! We watched five hours on Sunday alone. And I wonder why I don't achieve things like getting a book published!

- Going to Chengde tomorrow afternoon!