Practice begins

As of today, I can maintain an air stream from air stored in my puffed cheeks while inhaling only about 20% of the time.  AND only with a soda straw in a glass of water.  However, the 24th isn't here yet.  Here's what I'm doing:

Inhale-exhale-puff cheeks while exhaling-expel while inhaling-repeat.

My observations to date:

• I can expel the stored air from my cheeks while inhaling, but haven't yet mastered how to smoothly transition back to normal breathing.
• Using a soda straw in a glass of water is a great idea.
• One cannot do this when the embouchure is tired.
• Let the lungs empty completely.

Practice continues....