I have a plan—and this is really going to happen. like, really, no-papers-have-been-signed-yet-but -all-parties-agree, this is happening:

The next four (+) years of my life:

1) graduate

· finish BA thesis

· make sure I have all the credits I need

· get someone to take over the lease on my apartment

2) return to Austin for a bit

· live with parents (only two months)

· look at/buy condo? --> if so find a renter until I return (I could be a landlord… that that would go down so interestingly with my soon-to-be Chinese contacts)

· Look at/buy furniture and other stuff for life in Austin? (discount mattress store)

· Teach Marissa Chinese!?! (hope!)

3) go to China for a year!

· teach English/exist as a westerner: "Act as a living resource for everyone at your school" (talk about no alienation from my labor)

· meet people and have fun (talk to law firms in Shenzhen?)

· (maybe make it back to the states for cuz’s (not-yet-declared-but-looking-like) wedding)

4) return to Austin for law school (and I would assume/(hope(?)) longer)

· do fabulously and have a 4.0 GPA

· study hard for three years while being the most fun, successful, fashionable, and all around rockin’ student in Austin. with my kitty-girl back, and access to parent’s washer and dryer, pool, TV, and occasionally food and liquor (but NO living with the rents)

· find a high paying job that I enjoy- and maybe a boyfriend

and I am content. No. I am pleased... Warm fuzzy smiles, pleased.