Finally, I'm ready to post the pictures.
Recap: I went back to China for a month this summer, and it was mostly amazing. My mother was in Chengdu at first, and after the earthquake she escaped to Urumqi, Xinjiang. First my dad and I flew to Shanghai, then rode a train for 2 days and 2 nights to Urumqi. Then I rode a 12-hour train to Lanzhou. Then I rode another 12-hour train to Beijing. Then I rode another 12-hour train to Shanghai. Then I rode a 1-hour train to Hangzhou. Then I rode a 1-hour train back to Shanghai. And then I flew home to Atlanta.
So basically my trip went like this:




Time for pictures:




























































































The end!

I had to let my cats go free today.
It was a hard decision, but...it had to be done. We couldn't keep them anymore.
Misty did not take it well. When I tried to drag him toward the open door, he squirmed and fought and tried to turn back. He didn't want to leave us. When I finally pushed him outside and closed the door, he clung to it, meowing piteously, asking us to please let him inside. It broke my heart.
Marbles, meanwhile, skipped outside without a backward glance and began chewing on leaves. I guess she's always been wild in her heart...
When we got back from church, Marbles was gone. Maybe she has left us for good. Misty, on the other hand, had scratched a hole in the garage window and clambered inside. He would not leave us.
From now on, we'll put a plate of food and two cushions outside. If they stay around the house, they're our cats. If they leave, then I hope they find someone nice to take care of them.
Misty is relieved to be back inside. I miss Marbles already.