I stayed up all night getting ready to retransplant my life back home. That's really the way it feels… I'm excited, but also nervous. In the past year I have assimilated to the culture, both the bad and good, and its going to be a challenge to readjust. Bishop told me that the most intense culture shock he's experienced was returning home after living in Beijing. I have to agree, I felt the same when I returned last Winter.

I am a little disappointed that I didn't get to capture Beijing as well as I had wanted to. The photographs I have to show don't communicate the intensity and chaos that consumes this city. This place feels like a wound that can't heal; raw, open, and exposed. But is always pulsing and alive. Energy pours out from this city like no other place I have been to. On some late nights it feels like your walking through a pre-apocalyptic SCIFI wasteland. Probably doesn't sound so attractive, but there is something romantic about possibly witnessing human history's last breath.

Lots to say but not enough time, the rest of this reflection will have wait until I see you all in person. I really look forward to it and can't wait to relax with you all. In two and a half hours I'll be leaving for the airport. See you all very soon.