Looks like China has been a real 'experience' for you...job well done! It's good to hear you'll be coming back to the US soon as that will make mom/dad/sis rest a bit easier, no doubt.
Good luck with the college journey...if you need/want/wish to make me feel useful, I'd be happy to lend some insights as I've seen/attended quite a few west coast colleges...and have had an equally round-about way of finding myself, albeit slightly less adventurous...however, I did live in Kunming for 1 month...our common crossroad! Lovely city.
All the best,Cousin Andrew
PS. Recent pics of me and the family are here: http://picasaweb.google.com/andrewcsinger/OctoberCalifornia2007