Let The Packing Begin!

My passport came back yesterday (BIG relief), adorned with three new full-page visas for Taiwan, Thailand, and India.

With a week and a half until California and only TWO weeks until I leave for good, I've started packing. Some might think this is crazy. But with my internship over and nothing else to do except prepare for my trip for the next week-and-a-half, packing is the only thing keeping me sane right now.

Over the years, I've gone from chronic overpacker to efficient packer. Correction: I've mastered the art of weekend, 1-week, and 2-week "perfect" packing (not packing more than I'll use). But this whole 9-month, moving at least 5 times, AND leaving room for things along the way is throwing me for a loop. It will surely be an entirely new experience, living out of a bag and backpack for 9 months, but I'm sure I'll come out of it with a renewed perspective on what it really takes for me to get by. I think Mom and I might go out tonight to see if I can find a bag will better suit me than the one I already have.

On a different note, the program guide said that sport sandals were a "favorite among CRC students." As I was already interested in them anyway, I'm thinking this is my perfect opportunity to get a pair. I think they might be nice in addition to the sneakers (and possibly casual sandals) I'll be bringing. I've been looking into Chacos, Keens, and Naturalizers (only ones I've actually put my feet in but ohmagawd-comfy), but I'm not sure what I'll end up with. Thoughts, anyone?

In anticipation,
B(ee)

A Little More Than Two Months Out...

Tickets have been bought! (Final?) tentative schedule has been received! Just waiting on visa and *shudder* inoculation information.

People keep asking me if I'm nervous. I can't really be, yet, because it's all a little surreal still. But the recent advancements are making the trip more concrete in my mind.

B(ee)

What Is This Anyway?

For the 2009-2010 school year, my third year of college, I will be traveling with Global College's Comparative Religion and Culture Program to: Taiwan, Thailand, India, and Turkey. I will be spending 6-7 weeks in: Taipei, Chaing Mai, Bangalore, and Ankara with a week (or more) in between in various other cities.

I'm fairly excited to say the least about my impending travels. I feel very privileged to be able to include this journey in my life. Talking to someone about the slight discomfort I had having received this blessing, she told me that all opportunities are half fate and half preparation. So that's how I'm looking forward as of right now.

I hope that my writing here can serve as effective communication between family, friends and strangers alike. By next May, I will have flown, like a bee, around the world.

B(ee)