The journey begins

En route to Baltimore, at a conference hotel near which I'll be spending the next five days. It's for an AAC&U (American Association of Colleges and Universities) Institute on General Education and Assessment, and I'm part of a team of seven from New School. I can't remember when or why I agreed to go, but it's just a few days, and I'll feel not just ready for my Chinese adventure after it, but like I've worked for it!