(no subject)

This morning the boys and I went to the history department at the school to pick up our packages. When we left China, we packed up several boxes to be sent home via slow boat. This is the cheapest way and slowest way. Apparently, it also the most damaging way! Mariannette sent them for us since we were so short on time and I asked her to send them directly to the department so we wouldn't have to lug them across the country. The boxes were here when we arrived, just sitting behind the receptionists desk.

I only took about 5 of the packages, leaving the two huge ones for Chris to get. The boxes are so mangled. It is obvious that some of them have been opened are repacked. Even if I couldn't tell just from looking at the boxes, it would be apparent by the fact that there are several objects in the boxes that don't belong to us! I've now got two shirts, a framed photo, a silver baby rattle, a little girls' hat and gloves, as well as two beautiful, rainbowish crystal thingys. I have no idea how to find out who they belong to. I'm sure that if I have someone else's stuff, this means that some of my things will be missing. I can already tell that part of one of my kite's is missing. We bought some beautiful painted kites before we left: a lizard and a crab. Half of the crab's legs are gone. That stinks. However, the wonderful news is that none of the glass in our artwork broke! That is simply amazing. We sent home about 6 pieces of framed art and only one had problems. The frame fell apart, but the glass is just fine. Even the dragon teapot we sent home is in perfect shape. Considering the condition of the boxes, I find this astounding.

My classes started today. I'm taking a science fiction class from the English department as well as an Islamic history class. The reading list for the science fiction class is simply delicious. I'm so excited about this class. AND for our final assignment we have the option of writing our own original sci-fi story. I've been thinking about it all day and I'm having a hard time coming up with anything completely original. Every idea that pops into my mind I immediately recognize as something I've read/watched somewhere else. However, after much thought I think I *may* have come up with something. I have the whole semester to refine it, but I'm thinking about something to do with China and the shortage of women due to the one child policy and aborting of female fetuses. If that trend were to carry on, it could create quite an interesting situation in the future, shifting the power of choice to women. Imagine how competitive men would get for the few women in the country.