Including take-offs and landings.
I've had a confused day with emotions all over the place, worries and joys in equal measure. I couldn't figure out what the source was for some of my concerns at times!
I'm getting really excited about out trip, but the thought of the logistics involved in packing for and organizing myself and three kids is daunting! I shouldn't read GW's blog. Okay, my kids are bigger and won't be having tantrums, but Erica is still small, and while the train trip on the weekend was only four hours, it was enough for her, it seems! Plus I have a stop-over in Hong Kong, another in Auckland then a road trip to Rotorua to plan for. Usually my suitcase would be out upstairs in the bedroom slowly gathering souvenirs and other necessities by now, but I'm so horrified by the thought of how to organize the packing that I am stalling.
But then there was the UP of getting the family beach trip sussed, or should I say, my superiorly organized older sister stepped in and made some quick decisions that I had been dithering about for oh, about a month now. Yay Maria.
But then of course I got worried about money again, compulsively checking my visa account in case some money miraculously appears there. I won't be happy until all hotels are booked and paid for and all my pay packets are in and safely deposited into my visa account.
Then came the let-down of hearing that my Hong Kong friend won't be able to meet up with us in the city after all. This is really disappointing, as part of the reason we chose Cathay airlines was the chance of meeting them in Hong Kong. To be fair to her, she never promised she could be there, as she travels at the last minute, and I was prepared all along to make other arrangements if they were not there.
But I was still saddened by this, although at exactly the same time, really excited, because it meant I could go online and book lovely hotels again, and organize a trip. And that is ALWAYS fun.
Meanwhile I was concerned about work, as the classes today were for an area with rather strict overseers, who DON'T like games, and DO like drills, and while I tend to agree with them, I still don't feel comfortable with higher-ups coming in to observe my lessons, I feel if people are looking for bad stuff, they will find it!
On the other hand, this clutch of extra lessons I picked up will certainly help me pay for the above hotels!
On top of all of this, it's Journal week, and I should be photo-shopping right now, but I think I'm ready to call it a day. In between the two lessons, two essays, and dropping off and picking up Erica, I had to squeeze in some work on the Journal. It was the housework that got neglected. Time to put on the blinkers and just ignore the chaos! And there's no end to this in the foreseeable future, with a day trip out of town to see Erica's plastic surgeon tomorrow, more classes on Friday morning, a full day on Saturday, an event at the college where I teach on Sunday morning, 7-5-3 on Sunday afternoon, dinner at the Turkish restaurant on Sunday night and a kindy class Monday morning. THEN I might get around to doing the laundry.
4 comments:
wow.... just reading about your upcoming weekend is enough to make me need a stiff drink and a good lie down!
Big deep breaths, delegate, delegate, delegate, they have shops in NZ too so the packing stress can be sidelined for shopping fun for all those forgotten things and just think of all the cheese and wine at the goal to get you through. ;P
I need me some of those blinkers! Bummer about HK friend but hoping you still get some good things sorted. One of the suitcases is still in the tatami room - with this summer stuff from trip home. I am thinking it will stay there and Shou and Marina's stuff will get weeding out and a bit more things put in and away we go again in four weeks. Almost looking forward to trip home. Going to the loo on the plane with just Ryu attached will be so much easier than me, small toilet, three small people. Good luck for the weekend. Sounds hectic.
We have travelled with four kids to the States a lot so I'll give you my insider info that I've learned along the way.
1. Don't worry about packing exactly the right clothes. You can always buy something you've forgotten. It's not like you're going to a third world country.
2. Go to a dollar store and get a bunch of toys and candy/snacks. Then give something new to Erica (and her sisters if need be) every 30 minutes to an hour to keep her entertained. The nice thing about dollar store items is that you can just throw them away.
3. Have your older two pack their own carry on with things that can keep them entertained but warn them that they are in charge of carrying it around so it shouldn't be too heavy!
I hope this helps!
Sarah, thanks for the tips, or timely reminders! Yes, I do forget that I can just buy stuff! Last time it was pyjamas...
It's actually my third time flying with all three, so the problem is more what I DO know than what I DON'T! And the three mini-holidays we are taking before we even reach our destination, for which we need clean knickers!
My older girls do pack by themselves, and bring their own bags, and I also hit the 100yen shop before I go, but Erica horrified me last weekend by playing with the stickers for half and hour, and the coloring for about two minutes. 11 hours, that's a LOT of 100yen toys! Well, I'll be stuffing my bag with them!
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