Country Inn and Suites Sumter SC

... happiness together. We slowly succumbed to the reality that, "There 'IS' no place like home."
As we crossed the border into South Carolina,

the sky opened up and cried tears of joy upon us, to welcome us back.

After the short shower, we were greeted by partly cloudy skies and embraced by warm streams of sunlight, that peeked in and out of the clouds as a child ...

... on the back of the camper to counter balance as I maneuvered the hitch onto the ball. An electrical check turned up a burned out camper bulb, remedied by a stop at Pop's shop. the correct bulb was in inventory (thanks Pop!). We headed onto I-20 as the sun peeked over the horizon in my rear view mirror.

Dear friends, I am very excited owm my upcoming journey!!! I am trying to get all the details together. This is my first blog so please bear with me...steph

... a strange feeling. A good feeling though, is official word that I will get back my security deposit even though I am breaking my contract (hey...they knew up front the deal!). That's really going to help on paying for my flight back home for my brother's wedding in August. I'm glad I took this long-term sub job to keep my mind off things - in a way, sometimes I wish I had more time to devote to getting my affairs in order ...

... them. They are learning a lot already in their short-lived relationship...things that married couples of 5+ years have yet to accomplish. I am proud of him - he has got his future lined up...a career and a family! My older sister Amber is still working at a doctor's office and is soon to move into a new place. I recently spent some time at the local community college in Sumter to get her back into school. I hope and pray that she sticks with it this time. If you read ...

... I will continue to work there until mid-January. I am also working with a 5th grade group of students at High Hills Elementary, teaching math/science while their contracted teacher is out on maternity leave. I got all of these boxes coming out of the gazoo in my apartment. I'm sorting through all of my belongings, with the thought in the back of my mind that, Lord willing, I will be coming back in a couple of years and "might need that.' I hate throwing things out! Pray for me!

... and family here in Camden, South Carolina have become increasingly precious to me. Having never left my family for more than two months, this adventure will certainly be a challenge in my opening chapters as an adult. While I am saddened at the prospect of leaving all things familiar, I know that China is where I am meant to be; all feels right. On another note, for me, I've always wanted to leave America ...

Greetings from Dianne on day two of training from Sumter County South Carolina. Today the air conditioning wasn't working in the lobby. The ever popular continental breakfast is served in the lobby. It was so hot the room we could just use regular water to make hot coffee. It was so hot in the room we could just set a bagel on a table and it would toast itself. It was so hot in the room, well, you get the picture. It ...

Ok, been working a month as a waitress in a Sports Bar. For the most part it's been pretty good. I like the place, my fellow employees, the customers... sometimes there are off nights with sucky tips (like last night). But I'm saving up for London... I'm committed and it's going to happen! Already have a nice little chunk of change in the bank! Another few months and I'm on my way! It'll be great... Jules ...

I'm in South Carolina now, but boy was it a hassle to get here! I took the train to get to San Francisco airport, but there were some delays and I nearly missed my flight. But luckily I didn't, and I actually had a pretty good flight from SF to Washington DC (thanks to the company a lovely Brazilian guy named Ciso). However, the flight was delayed ...