(Song References About Leaving)

In less than 24 hours, I leave for Southeast Asia.

First stop is Singapore, where I'll be for four weeks, followed by a brief interlude of a few days in Malaysia before heading to Thailand to spend another four weeks. Although my program officially ends after the stay in Thailand, I'm going to spend several days in Hong Kong with a few other people before finally coming home.

I think the time difference between here and Singapore is 12 hours. At this point, I'm really not sure whether it would be more beneficial (in terms of avoiding jetlag, at least) to sleep or to stay up and watch movies. Considering my almost complete inability to fall asleep on airplanes, sleep is probably the best option.

I have managed to fit everything I'm taking into one duffel bag and a backpack, even with all of my hair products. I'm quite impressed.

Having never lived anywhere except my hometown, being given the opportunity and privilege to spend an extended period of time in a place so different is extemely exciting, to say the least. I have almost no idea what to expect. But that's okay.

The trip is also surrounded by smaller mysteries. Will I actually have occasion to use all 10 of the passport photos I had made? How many times will I neglect to put on sunscreen and pay dearly for the consequences? Will I, as Qian claims, be able to acquire a taste for durians? The intrigue never ends.

To end, an inspirational quote:

"I like going to Asia because there are all kinds of Asian people there." --Margaret Cho

This is not a test.

All systems go?