T minus one day

Tomorrow I begin my four month long adventure across the globe.  Nervousness and excitement are at about equal levels as I finish packing and preparing for departure.  So far I have received nothing but positive support and love from all my friends and family, which is what I will carry with me as I embark on my journey to China to experience a totally different culture and way of life.  I am grateful for all the support, not only because it will give me the courage I need, but also because it is that kind of positive spirit that I hope to communicate to everyone I meet abroad.  I hope to keep up with this blog as a means of communicating my experiences, revelations, and new information with all those who care to hear about my travels.  I am eager to start this adventure and to begin to experience a part of the world that has so far been completely foreign to me, but is sure to become my home in the short time I will be there.  I am excited to understand a new culture and to live amongst a society that has evolved from one of the most ancient to one that leads the worlds in many areas.  This will be my formal student teaching experience, which will both add to my nervousness and provide me with an additional set of unique experiences that I know I will carry with me forever.  I think my best piece of advice I have received so far is to keep an open mind while I'm observing, experiencing, and learning so that I can begin to understand and accept a culture different from my own without judgment, so that I may become a better person when I return home.  I hope to do just that, and also perhaps to teach others some new things along the way.  Until next time I have access to internet, zaijian!