summer niiiigghhttsss

i got an unexpected monday off today... AWESOME! This was the best monday. It's how all mondays should be. Part of the weekend. No work.

This afternoon, i went with my friends Trey, AJ and Lydia down the White River in canoes and kayaks. (No pictures. Didn't want to ruin the new camera! You never know going down river). We paddled down river, made a few stops and relaxed, had contests, talked and giggled (well, Lydia and I, haha) Afterwards I came home, showered and went with the same group plus the rest of my friends for a summer night cookout. the weather has finally cooled down so it was perfect. Fresh grilled veggies, cheeseburgers, home-made potato salad and beers. Oh, and the best friends in the world. Perfect.
I don't know if I could've asked for a better summer honestly before I leave for China. I am blessed :)

doing a "skit" haha

original "skit"

one. month.

i leave for shanghai in one month. i can't believe that's all that's left of summer, and even nannying! i'm gonna miss home. i'm going to miss it more than i even realize now. right now, i am sitting on my couch, a candle burning, watching the office on tv,  blogging on my laptop, with Macey sitting beside me chewing on a bone. I love moments like this when I am in the house alone. nice and quiet. just my dog and i :)
anyways... it will be the little things like this i miss.

i ordered my travel insurance card today and big suprise, still no visa letter. if it's not obvious, i am very impatient.

i have one month to say goodbyes, prep my thoughts, PACK (aaahhh.... so much), and then i'm ready to start my adventure.

 & yes, my dog is licking me. deal with it.

沃尔玛特 (Chinese for Walmart)

16 Items They Only Sell At Chinese Walmarts

 oh Chinese Walmart, how i love (laugh) at you.

for those of you who care (eh hmm caryn crevinston)

i will not be switching to tumblr.com for my blogs. i have figured out how to add all the "widgets" (god i'm a nerd) that i wanted as in:
skype
flickr
twitter
now, everything is in one place! when i am in china, you can just look on my blog to see all my:
posts
if i'm on skype! (please, add me! talk to me!)
tweets
ALL my pictures (by clicking on my Flickr photostream)
*I upgraded to Flickr Pro so i can add all my pictures. I won't really have facebook over there (I have heard so... just being prepared)

you won't have to go anywhere else to contact me! nice.

my travel insurance information was emailed to me today so that i can order my insurance ID card.
still no letter from new jazz for my visa app.
come on.
34 days, people.

first time eBay-er.

i just lost my eBay virginity. i had NEVER bid on anything on eBay before and i had this urge that i should. so, i found a camera that was a great price, the bid had 6 minutes left and i won! it was such a rush.


and now, i have a Canon sx120is camera for my trip. i am super pumped!!
now, who wants to buy my nikon coolpix? somebody! please! haha


i cannot spend ANY. MORE. MONEY until i leave. (yeah right) but this week, i can't do any spending. seriously.

38 days.

Almost one month to go! Recently, I went out and bought some toiletries, a new hoodie and a cute leather messenger bag/purse. I am also wanting to buy a new camera. The camera I have takes pretty good pictures , but i hate it. haha It takes forever to turn on, has a horrible focus feature, i don't like the digital zoom and ... that's it. I want to try and sell it. I really talked up its wonderful features though, right? It is a GREAT camera for someone who just wants to take fun pictures with friends, portraits, etc. But I am really looking for something to take more professional shots, and i guess more "artsy".  I have found the camera I want though... it's a Canon sx120is. It takes wonderful quality pictures, turns on quick, has wonderful zoom and focus, also has face recognition. I am in love. I found one online that is refurbished and about $100 less expensive than it's normal price. Buying refurbished makes me nervous, but I don't see why I couldn't trust it? In the next few weeks, I will most likely buy it. It will be my last BIG purchase before China. I have already bought a new computer. (Still lovin my mac :) I'm just movin on up :)

a possible switch

i recently discovered Tumblr.  I am not sure whether i will for sure make the switch or not. i actually really like the set up and how easy it is to post things (pictures, text, links, etc). I also like the aesthetics more than blogger. It just FEELS better. sooo... those of you who follow me here, in the next few days, maybe be prepared to follow me somewhere else. right now, i am giving it a test run.
i dont think anyone really follows me (i act like 100s do). love my friends who do though! :)

been awhile since i have posted anything about china. well, i guess not too long, but here is an update.
i still haven't received my visa materials. i am starting to get a little nervous since i leave in a little over a month (42 days to be exact. yes, i have a countdown on my calendar that i mark off everyday :). i got an email last week saying they would be "arriving shortly". basically, i am waiting on my letter of intent from the school saying that i will be working there for 5 months, and i have permission from them to stay in the country since i will be employed. i am also waiting on my Lonely Planet China guidebook!! i can't wait to get it and mark places i want to see, maps, important pages, etc. little by little i have been buying items for my trip. i purchased a really nice, lightweight North Face rain jacket. China's humidity is usually out of control so i wanted something lightweight that would not be sticking too me... as much. i ordered it off of Backcountry.com. this website is great because they have an awesome return & exchange policy. quoted from the website " If at any time -- now, next month, in 30 years -- you're not 100% satisfied, send your gear back for a full refund. No questions asked " I talked to a customer service rep online and he said, if it gets a rip, i don't like the fit, the color, the weight, ANYTHING! return it. and they'll send a replacement or a full refund. that's so awesome. so basically, true lifetime warranty! i was pumped up.
the last couple weeks have flown by! my weekends have been full of activities! (sooo mannyyy activitiessss - stepbrothers :) haha it helps the time go faster. i think right now i dub july the "excited month" but once august hits, it will be the "nervous month". for now though, i am enjoying awesome adventures with my friends from all over the state and having a great summer. 


there is ONE thing i wish i could change... but that's life. "God never slams a door in your face without opening a box of Girl Scout cookies..." -Elizabeth Gilbert (Eat Pray Love)

i've got the golden ticket

not really. :) BUT to me it's golden. haha
one way ticket to shanghai china - arrives aug. 23 at 6:25pm. I leave aug. 22 at 11:30 :)
AND i found a ticket $200 cheaper than what i planned!!! i almost purchased a ticket on monday evening but the american airlines website was down. God totally knew what was going on. Delta Airlines - you rule. Oh, and, God too. haha

how is it already july?

July 1st. YEESS! i could not be happier for the beginning of a new month! I also get a four day weekend. EXACTLY what i wished for when I had my 3 day weekend last week. haha this nanny family spoils me. :) I have been basically laying by the pool, eating ice cream, playing outside and watching iCarly with these kids and getting paid for it. I seriously have the best summer job ever. I am so excited for this weekend. I am going to good ol' Winchester, IN with Jennifer and Michele (their hometown). Michele lives on a reservoir (or lake, something like that) and we will be just laying out, having brews and jet skiing all weekend. Oh, and fireworks. My absolute favorite!


52 days.