Favorable Floyds

Sean and I are moving to Beijing, China in less than 16 days! A few weeks ago we received our immunizations. I only had to get a Tetanus, and Typhoid pill (thanks Mom for keeping me up to date every year). Sean on the other hand had to get Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, Meningitis, and also the Typhoid pill. Sean is not fond of shots in the first place, so when he had to get four, he was not pleased.
We are also in the process of gathering up things to take with us. To name a few examples: all season clothing, a year supply of deodorant (not too common over there), vanilla (also hard to find), a major first aid kit with medicines for whatever bodily functions we might encounter from the change of diet, and a web cam for communicating with my family and friends.
Many have asked me what my feelings are for this adventure. My response has been the following: I'm excited to do and be somewhere new, I love change. I also have observed that all of the Chinese people in Utah that we have come in contact with are extremely personable, kind, generous, and genuine. Because of that, I am excited to get to know the people in China. However, I'm a little worried for the food and language. Growing up, I was not much of a rice fan. Slowly, I am enjoying it more and more. From what I read and heard, the selection of meat in China is endless. They are very resourceful, using all parts of the body and whatever the earth bears; from bumble bees as "croutons" on you salad to shark fin in your soup. As long as the food is not moving then I think I'll eat it, or rather "try" it.
As for my language skills, they're pretty low. Right now I've been in the process of picking a Chinese name. All of their names have to do with nature, ideas, and symbolism. So I decided to be summer sunflower. Both of these things symbolize who I am. However, if I am not careful in pronouncing these words in the right tones, it can easily be misunderstood as foreign murderer. Yikes! So Sean and I are now thinking about changing a few things.