So I have finally purchased my plane ticket after weeks of research and eye-opening bureauocracy. It has come to my attention that round trip tickets must be used within 330 days of each other. But what about those of us who are staying longer? Surely I am not the first person to move to China. Why can't the airlines book RT-tickets for longer than a year? I guess it's a source of revenue because those longer stay tix are really expensive. It always comes down to money, doesn't it. Anyway, I got a sweet deal from a Chinese travel agent - those guys can negotiate anything! - they could negotiate a lease on The White House! Probably not a bad idea - it would be a reality-kick in the arrogant Americans' crotch. But I digress. Duibuqi (Sorry).
So here's my itinerary: I am flying out Friday, August 25, 2006 from Newark to Shanghai. The trip should take about 20 hours in total, but I lose a day by crossing the International Date Line. So I leave in the morning of the 25th and land in the late afternoon of the 26th. Oh boy! But I am not complaining - imagine how long it would take to walk! And it's better than that slow boat to China I've been told about.
In other news - One of the more interesting developments this week was figuring out how to say goodbye to S@m. If he drives me to the airport than we have a very public goodbye moment which neither of us are comfortable with. If we say goodbye at the house,and then he drives me to the airport, both moments will feel false and forced. I do so want to have a genuine feeling of sadness and potential joy simultaneously. I will be sad to not see my boyfriend for a year, but I also will be on an adventure so intense that missing him and anyone else may be a luxury. I do anticipate being extrememly busy while in China. But saying goodbye to S@m will not be an easy thing - and I don't want to poo poo it (one of my mother's favorite phrases) and regress into denial mode. I have worked alot at having my feelings even if they are not "happy", "fine" or "tired." I guess I am trying to control my experience at the airport terminal which is not a good thing. I am not in control of what happens to me. I am only in control of what I do, how I react to my experience.
Oh lordy, I got alot on my mind, don't I? More will be revealed, hopefully.
Till then, please enjoy some photos from our vacation to Vancouver and Whistler Mountain last July. Snowboarding in July - way cool!
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