The beginning of the end

So we're down to the last 10 days of the trip. While I've immensly enjoyed my time in the city, I can't wait to get back to the states and eat all the foods I can't eat here. I'm not sure how the last 10 days will play out exactly. Our lab is still planning a trip to Inner Mongolia sometime (don't know when yet). The guys in my lab asked me if I was bringing my "girlfriend" along on the trip (I don't have one right now). So I just might have to bring someone with me on this trip...we'll see what happens. I think Tom plans on bringing Nicole along.

I haven't done much in lab this week. Our group has been taking it easy and complaining because it is terribly hot in the labs. Tomorrow will be my last day in lab and it makes me sad that my time there is coming to an end. I've learned a lot from the guys in the lab but I won't miss the closet/oven we call "the lab". But my 7 weeks here is the equivalent of working about 10-12 weeks in an American lab (I've worked close to +/- 480 hrs). I need a vacation!

I also finally got the ID card situation resolved. The JI folks had to make a new card with another stamp on it. I'm not sure why it wasn't done correctly the first time. I've spent a lot of time this week getting it fixed, but the staff there was good in helping us out.