tuesday time zone.

Today's time zone is Eastern Time. Tomorrow through Thursday's time zone is Central Time. Friday through Saturday is every time zone between Chicago and Beijing. As long as I can keep this all straight, I'll be fine.

Being that this is my last week before China, there has been some effort of preparation. However, I can't remember the last time I didn't pack the night before a trip (or the morning of), no matter how long I would be away from home. Going for a weekend? Pack the morning of. A week? Morning of. Two weeks? Morning of. A month? Maybe the night before, but that's pushing it. Two months? The night before (but only because I had an early flight).

Have taken care of most other things... called the bank and American Express so they know I am not some Olympic renegade making false charges in China... got some shots (the medical kind)... have conversed with others in my group about meeting at the Beijing airport and sharing taxis to our living quarters... and tried to talk to as many friends and family as possible in these last couple days.

I still need to turn off my cell phone, purchase gifts for anyone I might meet and deem worthy of a gift (Chinese tradition), collect addresses in case I decided postcards are in order, make copies of my credit cards and passport... oh yeah, and pack my suitcase.

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And as if having the chance to go to the Olympics isn't enough... it has been recently announced that my dear friend (and fellow Shrevehart Stormer) Kara Patterson will be representing the USA by being a completely awesome javelin thrower! Now I can say I know an Olympian, cross that one off the list.

I'll do whatever possible to make it to the Track & Field venues that day. Even if it means abusing my "Volunteer" credentials. Maybe. (I hear you just have to show your issued fanny-pack and you're in.)