I'm alright...

I just wanted to write a quick note in light of the current situation in China.  I am okay.  The effects of the earthquakes on Beijing were minimal, and although some people did report feeling the tremors, I didn't notice them.  Life goes on in Beijing as usual.  However, the sentiment of Beijingers towards the devastation of the earthquakes is probably much the same as where you are: one of dismay and helpless remoteness.  One of my teachers' families lives in Sichuan (the province hit directly by the quakes).  She has as yet been unable to contact them, since the telephones are still down.

I am in the middle of writing final papers and preparing for final exams, which is why I've yet to tell you about my trip to Inner Mongolia and my overnight stay and hike at the Great Wall.  What's more, I was not surprisingly told about a month ago that my trip to Tibet had been canceled.  Since then I have been working to put another trip together myself, and had just about finished working out all of the details when the earthquakes hit.  Since a good deal of my planned travel was to take place in Sichuan and surrounding areas (including towns directly at the epicenter of the earthquakes), I have to go back to the drawing board to figure out Plan C.  What's more, with little more than a week left in my study abroad program, I'm rushing to figure out my travel, spend time with my friends, see all those sites I forgot to see, and buy all those last minute souvenirs.  So, I'm busy. -- But okay.  (Now, back to my 3000 word sociology paper...)