Baby bloggie

Following the trend set by my friends who have gone abroad or are currently abroad, I've created a blog that I will hopefully be able to update frequently with details from my trip to China and Taiwan. Heaven help me if I don't have internet access while abroad. >_<

Flight departs this Thursday, which leaves me one day to pack and prepare for the trip. I bought a 40L Kelty backpack and will probably spend all day tomorrow debating whether or not I'll be able to live out of it for the whole summer. The sales guy at REI gave me a skeptical look when I told him I planned to live out of the backpack for two weeks while in China, I wonder what sort of look he would have given me had I told him that it would be for the summer. I see a summer full of weekly laundry sessions.

First stop, China. Will arrive at Beijing and spend a few days there before setting off for Chengdu. While in Chengdu we'll also fly out to Jiu Zhai Gou. Then, back to Chengdu for a few days to tour the city. Then it's off to Xian to see the Terracotta Soldiers and the city itself. Last bit will be back in Beijing. I separate from the group afterwards and make my way to Taiwan where I'll be this summer, studying at Tai Da (National Taiwan University). I'm on my own for a month until my mom comes. I'm slightly terrified, but if all goes well it will be a great learning experience.

Oh, a quick explanation of the blog title. Hu2li3 hu2tu2 (糊裡糊塗 for those who can read Chinese) is a great Mandarin phrase but hard to translate. I guess the closest approximation would be willy-nilly or haphazardly. It's how my mom says I approach life. Not really with a plan in mind though sometimes I have a general goal and somehow things seem to always work out.