Getting in Gear

So my trip has yet to begin, but I'm already antsy enough about it that I figure I should start this thing up already. Plus, I'm not sure if I would even be able to start a blog once I'm in China. They don't let you view any blogs--though for some reason I can still post things--I guess they don't want me to know what I'm writing. Sounds fair enough to me.
Anyways, this is mostly a testing post so I probably won't have much to say. The idea of leaving everyone and everything I know for an indefinite amount of time is starting to actually register in my brain. This is a good thing because hopefully it will make me enjoy while I can all of what I have here in Chapel Hill...North Carolina...the US....the Western Hemisphere...wow that's a lot to be leaving. Lately I've been stuffing my face with as much NC BBQ and Mexican food that I can, so I'm happy with the use of my time. Does anyone else have any suggestions?
I've started the gradual process of packing, which means that I have begun to consider almost thinking about contemplating halfway figuring out what I should maybe decide to bring. It may take a while. At least I'm doing better than I was for my last China trip--my packing began at about 9pm the night before I left. But it still worked out pretty well. There are few things I really need to bring anyways. Clothes, books, camera, ipod, guitar...anything else? I think not.
Speaking of books, as I was rummaging through my room figuring out which ones I would like to bring, I noticed that I have two interesting-looking books written by the Dalai Lama. They could help provide me with interesting insight into the world as I take a monumental step in my life, or they could get me labeled as a counterrevolutionary trying to undermine the liberation of the Tibetan people. Hopefully I'll be alright. Notice I'm talking about this on my blog BEFORE I am in China. I may have to use some sort of fancified code to discuss certain things while I'm over there. We shall see.
So I've been sitting on my couch long enough for one day. I'd better end this thing. Have a good day.