The last intern left today, so now it’s just me. Just tying all the loose ends…

I finished my last article today and turned it in, so I can finally say that this internship is over. I organized all of my work files on my computer and cleaned out the random accumulation of junk on it. I finally left the office around 8 p.m. and went with two of my favorite coworkers to Hai Wan Ju, an old-style Beijing restaurant that had THE best zha jiang mian. Then I went back to the office and cleaned out my desk. I’ll still pop in at the office the next few days, but I seem to have caught the packing bug.

I started packing last night and am actually mostly packed, except for a lot of loose items that I’m waiting to see where they’ll fit. It’s quite possible that not everything will fit in my three suitcases. It’s not that I want to leave, but I’ve been watching and hearing about all the interns packing, and for once, I am planning ahead. I know I won’t have much time tomorrow, and none on Wednesday and Thursday. I just returned seven beer bottles to our little neighborhood corner store that Chris is so fond of. They tried to give me money for them, but I kept refusing to take it. It was only 3.5 kuai (which would buy me breakfast for 3 days). I told them I was going back to the States soon and thanked them for their hospitality. I feel as if slowly packing and cleaning the apartment—I feel a really strong need to have everything in order before I leave—with a mechanical precision will preoccupy me enough to prevent me from acknowledging that I’m really leaving.

Catherine and I spent the whole day shopping yesterday as she bought last-minute gifts and I splurged on a BCBG dress. Then Celine picked us up and treated us to a nice Taiwanese dinner. She treated us to a great lunch today, too, before Catherine had to leave for the airport. And yet, I don’t think it’s hit me that it’s pretty much over.

I’m going to the market again tomorrow to buy some fabulous glasses for Catherine and me and possibly a really wild qipao that probably offends every Chinese grandmother out there. Also, apparently my mother wants me to get her a Chinese shirt. I’m hoping to have lunch with my uncle and his family, who are here in Beijing for vacation, on Wednesday.

And then Thursday is the big day.