Well, it's 10:06 am as I write this, and 8.4 Fahrenheit degrees. That's 8.4 degrees higher than the high in Harbin on Thursday, when I arrive. I wonder, if the high is 0, for how long does the temperature really reach that mark? (If I knew how to use my graphing calculator, I could answer that question in an eyeblink, I bet . . . Something else to do before I go: learn how to use my graphing calculator. Better call my brother-in-law . . .)

I'm getting ready to do my last load of wash and to make final adjustments to my baggage. I think I've got everything pretty well organized; only small things (like a few spools of thread) left to throw in.

Just a reminder: I will NOT have Facebook access in China because Facebook is blocked there. I will, however, be updating this blog. If you want a "push" when I write something, you can subscribe to it. Look at the top of this page for the link that says "GET EMAIL UPDATES." From there, you know what to do . . .

I hope you will subscribe, or at least bookmark the site and check back from time to time. And please shout out in the comments; I'm gonna miss seeing you guys on Facebook.

Off to round up some thread . . .