Well folks, 2 weeks from today (exactly) Keith and I will meet the Peanut for the very first time! Can you believe it? Nope, me neither. 11 days from today we'll be on a jet plane.
So, I know you’re dying to hear about how our travel plans are coming and how are packing is coming. Let me take a quick second to list everything I’ve done!
1. Nothing
I am totally not kidding. I have a mental block or something. It’s as though I really don’t believe that in 11 days I’ll be boarding a plane to Russia! After 1 year and almost 2 months you think I’d be packed and ready to go. Instead I find myself avoiding anything travel related. This weekend I had a mental list of what needed to be accomplished. Well, I did everything except what was on that list.
1. Had breakfast with my dad and step-mom (Oh yeah! That’s something adoption… my dad is taking on the task of getting our new bills)
2. Got my hair colored (3 different color highlights which looks quite beautiful if I do say so myself – don’t worry, I’m not striped or anything. They are very subtle.)
3. Got my hair cut (long bangs and lots of volume snipped away – the jury is still out mainly because I can’t style it like the lady did)
4. Went shopping with my sister (I love The Loft)
5. Went to the movies with Keith (saw Made of Honor… total chick flick but who can complain about 90 minutes of McDreamy?).
So needless to say I’m in a serious state of denial. It’s not like it’s just Keith and I packing that we need to worry about. I have to figure out Alex’s schedule, get my house in order for Keith’s mom and finish up my homestudy by Friday (oh yeah, that’s not done yet either).
Have I also mentioned that we just kicked off a big project at work and I’m in all day meetings throughout the next two weeks so most of my lunch breaks are shot?!?! Joy oh joy!
So, my plan is this. On Saturday morning, park my car far away from my house (and call Keith and have him drive me back to the house before he and Alex leave for the day). This will ensure that I am stuck at my house because goodness knows I won’t use the energy to actually walk to my car. I’m allergic to exercise – my pants tell me so everyday. :-) I think if I’m stuck in my house I’ll be forced to do laundry, pack, make a list of things I still need to buy, clean my house, etc, etc… Saturday afternoon I’ll take a nap (I’ll be really tired from all of the laundry and cleaning, ya know!). Then Saturday evening I’ll go back to my car and go buy everything on the list that I made Saturday morning. Is that a plan or what?
Seriously though, I need some mojo or something. I really think I just need to gain confidence that this IS going to happen and I need to stop waiting for the other shoe to drop. The only shoe that should be dropping is mine into my suitcase.
So here’s where I ask for your help! If you’ve already traveled on trip 1, what was the one thing you forgot to do or remembered at the last minute? If you haven’t traveled yet but have some good ideas of things I’m libel to forget can you let me know what those are too? For example, I just realized last night that I need to photocopy our Visas for registration purposes. Those kind of “gotcha” things are gonna get me!
Later Taters!
Becky
P.S. I’m light years behind in blog reading. I hope to catch up tonight!
24 comments:
I never would have guessed! LOL!
And I think your plan for Saturday is perfect!! :o) Do you have your Dr's lined up? Do you need to send video footage to anyone AND do you know how to upload it to your computer from your camcorder (and when you figure that out, email me how you did it!).
These are the things you need-
Underwear
Snacks
Camera
You are ready to go!
Here is an idea that helps me:
Get your suitcases out and lay them on the floor in your bedroom- open them up and each day, drop a few things in them- before you know it you will be packed. Make sure you put underwear in both suitcases in case one is lost and really this goes for all your clothes- split them up and snacks too.
You'll be fine. If this is a bad time for you to go- I would be happy to go for you and pick out my baby girl. :D
Just let me know.
Kristine - Call me crazy, but I think if I show up at the orphanage in underwear with snack and a camera I might be escorted away. :-) hehehehe... Oh what a horrible visual! I'll add clothes to my list too! :-)
I guess I was hoping you would have your clothes on....you are a crackup!
At least you would have a fancy new hairdo ;)
Hi Becky,
I can't believe you are down to 11 days!!! This is so exciting!
I agree to just pack a little each day and before you know it you will be there. Have fun! Teresa
Hey there girly- get cracking! Trip #1 basic vacation travel stuff, clothes, shoes, toiletries, snacks, book to read, visa copies (2 - just in case). Get out the carry on bad and make your zip lock bag of 3 oz items. I started this past weekend with the carry on bag we are 12 days from travel. Can't pack the suitcase, I don't have that many clothes! I get satisfaction out of crossing things of a to do list big x's. This is happening, even if you show up in underwear carrying snacks! Get crakin..
A couple things that I remembered at the last minute on our 1st trip:
1. Call the Credit Card company to let them know you are traveling.
2. Pack envelopes to give money in.
Good luck with packing!! You still have plenty of time!
Very funny! I am a last minute packer too.
Don't forget to bring things to entertain the little peanut. How much you bring will depend on how often you get to visit. Bring little goodies too for the peanut. Of course, Sergei was older but we brought candy and coloring books.
Myra
How exciting that it's time to start packing! Having the suitcases out and putting things in each day helped me a lot too, instead of trying to pack everything at once. Whatever you do, don't wait until the night before!
It's wonderful that you'll be with your peanut in just 2 weeks!
If you are taking food - remeber to take some plastic bowls and some plastic silverware. We actually ate Oodles of Noodles out of coffee mugs using coffee stir sticks one morning. I should now be able to successfully use chopsticks! it was hysterical, but it worked. Needless to say we took bowls on trip 2!!
The good news is that 11 days is not exactly "last minute" :). I have no advice, but just wanted to say how excited I am on your behalf!!! Yay!!!
Becky....
you'll just have to kick it into high gear when you are ready! Besides ... all you really need is your camera, clothes, meds, toys for the baby, etc. okay and maybe a video camera and your laptop so you can tell us all what is going on! It will all work out I have faith. I'm sometimes like that with life where I feel like nothing is really real until it's happening! Don't worry I'm sure you'll kick into gear sooner or later! Keith might help you get things together to leave! You'll do fine! I'm praying for you sweetie! You'll be leaving while I'm away on vacation. I'll be 4 wheeling away while you are flying to meet your little peanut! Can't wait to hear about him when I get back into town. Wish me luck because the friend I was planning on going to SD with cancelled this week. :( oh well guess it's another one of those girl on my own vacations. Won't be the first time! Probably not the last either! Have fun w/ Keith on your trip!
You are like me, better under pressure. You'll be fine. And like others said, this trip is about bringing your camera, getting emotionally ready, and the excitement of meeting your peanut! You don't need to take much. Especially with summer time weather! Get ready for the white nights!
I was going to say the same thing... you work well under pressure. But those last minute items should be on a list... like what dana said. I know you'll be in high gear when you are ready... if I can picture anyone motorin' in high gear it is you! I'll be watching and will be interested in what i need to bring when it's time for trip one. :-)
Pack extra color copies of your passport pages in case you lose your passport. Bring crisp money, passports, credit card (the one you notified your credit card company)airline tickets, money for translator/driver, visa invitations, cell phone and charger (make sure your cell will work in Russia), camera, video camera, extra tapes, batteries, cables to download and charge, power cord to plug it all into, memory cards, russian adapter, laptop and charger, clothes, toys, snacks, tolietries, regional tour book, journal for note taking and a list of questions that you want to know about your child, cryllic alphabet card, entertainment on the plane...you are good to go!
Have a wonderful trip! Can't wait to hear all about it!
It's the stress. Locks me up everytime too. Remember: ziploc bags (in an assortment of sizes), dry salami (in case your red meat selections are gross), something to do with your hands (knitting, etc.)
Less than 2 weeks now. I agree with letting your credit card company know you are traveling, snacks, adapters, extra memory card. We are planning to leave a baby photo album (from Target) with our pictures in it at the orphanage so Boo and Hoo can see pictures of us. We are also leaving a disposable camera with flash (and instructions in Russian) so pictures can be taken between trips.
I'm like you. I just can not believe that you are almost on your way. The last time I traveled to Europe I did not worry about how much the suit cases weighted. That was a mistake. This time when it is my turn to pack I will try my best to pack light.
Joy
Hey - there's nothing wrong with you - you just work well under pressure (and LIKE it!).
I'm a last minute packer so I think you have plenty of time still! That being said, I cannot believe you are almost down to single digits, that's so exciting.
Good luck packing!!
Nothing's wrong with you. I'm a last minute packer...and I survived 2 trips to Russia! Something about the rush to pack makes it all seem real. I only skimmed the comments, so these suggestions may've been suggested already; nevertheless, here they are: call your credit card company to be SURE that your cc will work. Our VISA would not work in Seoul OR Moscow. Also, call your cell phone company to make sure you have int'l calling, and to let them know you will be out of the country. Again, we had serious cell phone issues in Moscow and Seoul but not Vlad...interestingly enough.
Of course, I think you got my packing list, didn't you? The only thing I didn't include on that is something that is super important. A good, flexible attitude. You may be thrown curveballs anywhere from
the time you leave your house till the time you return. Just remember to pack your smile and go with the flow! Easier said than done (I know this for sure)...but it will make all the difference in how you remember your experiences!!
BTW, I just noticed that my "word verfication" is UPAKT - which leads me to believe that maybe you got some packing done this weekend?!
Hey Becky,
I am so excited for you guys and yes, you are really going to Russia to meet your little peanut!=) I remeber feeling the same way though. After waiting so long to go, now that you actually are it's hard to believe. I can't wait to hear all about him.=)
Thanks for your comment on my last post. It really is a miracle what God has done. We are so blessed! You will know what I'm talking about very soon!=)
Blessings,
Penny
P.S. don't overpack, this is a whirlwind trip. You'll find out what you need for your second trip once you make your first. Seriously, bring 2 pairs of clothes and re-wear them. Don't forget the camera!
Cross pack - both of you mix your clothes around so if one gets lost you are in luck! Snacks that keep blood sugar up, like peanuts or peanut butter crackers. I got one pill bottle and packed various sorts of medicines for any kind of illness that could pop up! It made me feel like my own little local cvs was with me. Peace of mind. I packed hand towels and a roll of toilet paper (our orphanage did not have any:) They used newspaper (LOL)
Oh yeah. I forgot. The one thing I didn't have on trip 1 that I seriously needed...a good antibiotic for a bacterial stomach bug. I don't know if you've been reading my blog as far back as our trip 1... But on our last day with Iliya, fortunately toward the end of our last visit, I started feeling so bad. I ended up with severe diarrhea (I hate that word) and couldn't eat for almost 4 days. The flight home was terrible. I finally got home and got an antibiotic and a prescription anti-diarheal medicine (neither immodium nor pepto touched this bug I had)
Okay...so that sounded terrible andi really don't mean to scare you. I just wish that someone had suggested that I ask my doctor to send me with those 2 medicines.
Trip 2? I went totally prepared and didn't get sick one time. Go figure. I have no idea what I'd picked up but it was no fun!
So pick up that phone and ask your dr for those prescriptions along with instructions for use!! :)
Okay. Back to my hiding place. :)
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