I haven't bothered to update this blog in awhile because I simply had nothing to say. Since we've last chatted, I've gone to the gym a bit, went for a few hikes, ran over to visit my friend in Minneapolis and my father in Virginia, and spent some time in my brother's second grade classroom. Riveting stuff, I know, but nothing that I felt needed to be immortalized in type. I have also been trying to get my butt to China. Let's just talk about that for a bit on the off-chance, somehow, someone else sees this blog is heading over. Here's some dull information.
So, when I travel for a year or more, I use two military duffle bags. They hold a lot. I can wear them at the same time (front and back backpacks). They weigh next to nothing empty. Most importantly, they roll up and can fit under my bed or in a drawer. A lot of smaller apartments don't really have great places to store giant rolling suitcases. That purple bag is my carry-on and usually has a pillow in it as well as a complete change of clothes. I have a replacement for it this time, a nice 45-L Ospry backpack that is just the right size to sneak on as a carry-on EVEN for Spirit airline.
Time Tables
The Criminal Background Check (CBC) from the FBI took over 13 weeks to reach me. It was taking so long I ordered a second CBC from my state which only took a month. Getting an appointment with a doctor who was willing to sign a paper saying, no, I don't show signs of Yellow Fever or psychosis took about two weeks. Sending all my paperwork to China and getting my paperwork back took five weeks. All in all, I signed my contract December 12th and just got my visa on April 19th.
Money Flowin' Out
Fingerprint cards and CBC= $40
Medical Evaluation= $500 (I have no American insurance)
Visa= About $400 (Visa+agency fee+two-way overnight shipping)
Travel Medical Insurance (My school doesn't offer insurance. Awesome)= $330
Airfare to Beijing= $620 (Purchased 13 days in advance)
Clothes and stuff= I've dropped about $500.
Packing List
So, when I travel for a year or more, I use two military duffle bags. They hold a lot. I can wear them at the same time (front and back backpacks). They weigh next to nothing empty. Most importantly, they roll up and can fit under my bed or in a drawer. A lot of smaller apartments don't really have great places to store giant rolling suitcases. That purple bag is my carry-on and usually has a pillow in it as well as a complete change of clothes. I have a replacement for it this time, a nice 45-L Ospry backpack that is just the right size to sneak on as a carry-on EVEN for Spirit airline.
Here's what I am dragging to Beijing.
8 sticks of deodorant (A lot of places don't use antipersepacnt since it causes cancer or something.)
6 tubes of toothpaste (Same story about fluoride)
Tweezer and nail cutters (I have nice ones I like)
1 unopened bottle of ibuprofen
1 unopened tube of bacitracin
About 12 DVDs ('cause I am sure you care: Howl's Castle Titus Andronicus, Masterpiece Theater's Jane Eyre, Gone With the Wind, Emperor's New Groove, Beauty and the Beast, Parade's End, Fantasia 2000, and The Prince of Egypt. I really need to just buy these on iTunes. I have a lot of other movies there, too.)
My Kindle and charger
Macbook, charger, and freakin' spare charger
USB junk drive
Nikon 3200, a couple of lenses, and back-up batteries.
Two universal power adapters
1 box of super tampons and pads (gives me a little time to find something I like)
1 skirt suit
1 day-or-evening dress
4 pairs of pantyhose
12 pairs of trouser socks
2 sets of workout clothes (which usually double as PJs)
4 pairs of slacks
2 pairs of jeans
1 down coat
8 summer shirts (work and weekend)
8 spring/summer shirts (work and weekend)
4 winter shirts (work and weekend)
6 bras
24 pairs of NEW undies. (I felt like my socks and undies didn't get delightfully clean the first time I worked in Japan so...)
1 pair of sandals
1 pair of sneakers
1 pair of walkers
1 pair of ankle boots
1 pair of heels
Most of this stuff won't be making it home with me to make room for the shit I am probably gonna buy.
Wasn't this exciting?
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