• The rain stopped and the sun came out.  Beautiful blue sky, a few large white clouds, and cool temperatures greeted us today.  The mountains were so majestically green.  Things started to dry up.
• I used a bar code scanner to check in/out books at the library.  Of all the things I could have predicted or imagined myself doing as an expatriate living in China, using a bar code scanner was NOT one of them.  It just never entered my mind.  But it IS a satisfying feeling; aiming that red laser beam, pressing the trigger, and hearing the conclusive electronic beep.
• Our propane tanks returned from being filled.  Now this might not seem like a big deal to you, but we ran out of gas (literally) three days ago.  When your hot water heater is on the fritz and you want to wash your dishes you usually turn to the gas-powered stove to heat water.  This only works if you have the gas to power it and with all the rain we’ve had it took a while to get someone to come and pick up the tanks for refilling.  Now we’ve got three big FULL tanks for all of our cooking and boiling needs.  It’s the little things…
• Our passports came back with our new resident permits (i.e. visas) pasted in.  Yes, there’s no turning back now, we’re OFFICIAL!  I’m still in shock I think.  I just can’t believe the process is finally OVER and we’re actually going to be able to stay and work here in Jianzha.  My family’s visas run through August, but mine only runs till June because my passport expires on June 3, 2008.  Not surprisingly they weren’t willing to give me a residence permit for longer than my passport was valid.  But this isn’t a big deal at all as we are planning to come back to the States in June anyway. A BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN "WITH US" THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS.  OUR GRATITUDE WILL TAKE THE FORM OF MANY HILARIOUS STORIES TO COME I’M SURE.
• We started home-school.  And when I say we, I mean WE–the whole Johnson family.  Christa taught Anna this morning (all subjects except for science, that’s Auntie Jean’s department) and I taught (or tried to anyway) Sarah some pre-school activities.  So far so good.  I’ve decided not to tell Sarah this is a 5-day a week deal.  Better to keep her on a need-to-know basis.

So, yeah, it’s been a good day.  Nice way to slide into September.