I woke up yesterday morning with the stark realization that it is only one week until I leave for China. For so long it felt like one of those things that was way off in the future, but now it is practically here. Got to get serious now about what supplies to take with me, and what and how to pack.

Fortunately, the travel agent called to say that my visa has come back. That was the last big item on my list, after taking care of housing, insurance, meds, newspaper, Internet and cellular services, and the plant that I hope doesn’t die while I’m gone.

An additional pleasure of this trip is that I can spend a week with my son Matthew before the Red Gate Art Residency gets underway. He’s been splitting his time between family in Italy and his business in Beijing, and the timing worked out for us.  We’ll catch up together on what is going on in Beijing.