3

Figured ya’ll want to know how much traveling I’m doing before I even leave for China. Right now, I’m at Saint Simons Island surrounded by creepy big birds lots of local fun (and of course my friend, who I’m visiting).

Traveling the East Coast to See Family

This is my travel route for the next few weeks:

Post New York City, I will travel to Israel (departing December 27th), return January 7th, drive down to Washington DC, and then leave for China January 14th. The purpose of all this traveling is to see my family before I leave for five months.

As for right now, I feel like I can’t buy any clothes because everything will be cheaper in China. This is less than ideal because the Christmas sales are awesome right now! I am also nervous about packing. I mean, everyone is telling me to pack light and literally buy a new wardrobe there. Uh, expensive? But then again, I wouldn’t have to deal with paying an extra $75 for extra luggage.

Right now, my packing list is as follows:

A credit card China guide Emergency card with a U.S. contact, address, and phone number. Extra passport photos (at least three to four) Nalgene one-liter see-through hard plastic water bottle Passport Student ID Ziplock bags

Athletic wear Computer First Aid kit Medical Food that I can’t find in China (Kelloggs bars!) Ipod Knife Shoes Swimsuit Underwear Winter and spring clothes that layer and cut out wind

Camera Conditioner Deodorant Glasses Hair supplies LOTS of Kleenex packs Moisturizer Plug Adapter Sanitary Items Shampoo Toothpaste

So much to do!

2: Excitement and Fear

Why I’m Excited	Why I’m Afraid
Going to an internationally respected university	The workload and only having classes once a week
Going to a new place	Going to a new place
Learning at a coed institution	Learning alongside men for the first time since high school
Meeting new people	Making friends
Learning a new language	Learning a new language
Potentially getting an awesome internship	Getting rejected from all internship sites
Finally experiencing China	Disliking China and realizing I’ve been wasting my education