Ok, since I am no longer in Taiwan I decided to create a
new blog.
Since I don't know where I am going next I figured the title was appropriate.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Pictures
So I just got an email from Kris with all his pictures from his year in Taiwan. I am so happy since I haven't seen most of them before (and some of them are flattering of me). He reminded me that I still haven't done anything with my photos, so this weekend will be spent working on putting them on shutterfly.
I promise.
But I thought I give you guys a look of me relaxed (since people in Taiwan never really saw that quite often). Yay for no puffy, tired eyes.
Dad and I
I promise.
But I thought I give you guys a look of me relaxed (since people in Taiwan never really saw that quite often). Yay for no puffy, tired eyes.
Dad and I
Flying Home
So flying is not that easy, no matter how many times you do it. I started to get worried last night when I found out there were two possible planes that I could be getting on. Anyone who flies knows that having all the information ahead time is very important because there are countless other things that could go wrong. The last thing you want is to not even know where to go in the terminal to check in.
I called the NWA reservation line twice last night. The first time I talked to the rudest helper I have ever encountered. Then I called mom and had her calmed me down. I called again and got a nice, competent helper who made m worries go away.
The next issue would be bags. Living somewhere you will obviously amass countless things. I had pottery, shoes, bags, clothes, notebooks, lesson plans, books, etc. I mailed to this date 16 boxes home. Lets just say that I got to know the postman very well. But still after all of that, I needed an extra suitcase and with the fuel prices going up, they are cutting weight from 70 pounds per bag to 50 pounds per bag. You may be saying “50 pounds is a lot.” Nope. Not at all. Take into account that the suitcase alone weighs anywhere from 5-10 pounds. You need clothes, toiletries (since you can’t take them on the plane anymore), shoes, bags, etc. All these things weigh a ton.
I had a packing party at my house last week to get everything packed. The packing party is very beneficial because while I panic, other people pack. If it was just me I would panic first, then pack (making the packing take forever). When I got the airport, I found that all but one of my bags was overweight. So I took them to the side and switched some things around while calling mom to ask what a kilo was in pounds. I switched one successfully, but the other suitcase actually gained weight after I took clothes out. Only Julia. So I moved some more clothes to my carryon. Now I have several outfits in case something happens on the plane or my luggage gets lost.
They also put me on standby for another airlines promising me an upgrade on that flight. I took it because it only left 5 minutes after my original plane. They gave me a voucher for food, but didn’t take my luggage making it impossible for me to go upstairs to get food. Instead, I went down stairs, paid with my own money, and had the best cheesecake I have ever tasted in an airport and most of Taipei. After all of that I ended up on my original flight with an exit row seat. Anyone with long legs understands the power of the exit seat.
The airport in Tokyo is beautiful. I checked in again at the NWA desk which is conveniently by the gate I departed. The first guy was confused by my EVA air receipts and tickets. I told him, in a very strong voice, NWA made me go on that flight. Then I got up to the desk and breezed right on through (I don’t think I would have kept my voice in a civilized manner if the girl at the desk acted all confused). After all of this I will never use different carriers again no matter what.
I luckily got an exit row seat for this flight. My legs were thankful for that seat. The flight itself was 11 hours and 45 minutes, but it left an hour late. I was worried when we were getting closer to Detroit that I was going to be pushing it time wise. I got through customs quickly, but my bags took almost 30 minutes to come out. I orginially had 2 1/2 hours, but now I only had an 1 1/2 hour total to do customs, pick up bags, recheck bags, security, and then get to the gate. The woman rechecking my bag said my favorite line ever, “You could possibly make your flight.” With that in mind, I ran as fast as I could to the gate. I felt like I was in a movie. I did make it , a bit out of breath, but the flight attendant gave me a glass of water (since I was sitting in first class).
My last flight was very short compared to the other flights, only 1 1/2 hours. The added bonus was that I was put in first class (ain’t no shame). The flight was smooth and worry-free. The way all flights should be. It was a nice was to end my life in Taiwan.
I called the NWA reservation line twice last night. The first time I talked to the rudest helper I have ever encountered. Then I called mom and had her calmed me down. I called again and got a nice, competent helper who made m worries go away.
The next issue would be bags. Living somewhere you will obviously amass countless things. I had pottery, shoes, bags, clothes, notebooks, lesson plans, books, etc. I mailed to this date 16 boxes home. Lets just say that I got to know the postman very well. But still after all of that, I needed an extra suitcase and with the fuel prices going up, they are cutting weight from 70 pounds per bag to 50 pounds per bag. You may be saying “50 pounds is a lot.” Nope. Not at all. Take into account that the suitcase alone weighs anywhere from 5-10 pounds. You need clothes, toiletries (since you can’t take them on the plane anymore), shoes, bags, etc. All these things weigh a ton.
I had a packing party at my house last week to get everything packed. The packing party is very beneficial because while I panic, other people pack. If it was just me I would panic first, then pack (making the packing take forever). When I got the airport, I found that all but one of my bags was overweight. So I took them to the side and switched some things around while calling mom to ask what a kilo was in pounds. I switched one successfully, but the other suitcase actually gained weight after I took clothes out. Only Julia. So I moved some more clothes to my carryon. Now I have several outfits in case something happens on the plane or my luggage gets lost.
They also put me on standby for another airlines promising me an upgrade on that flight. I took it because it only left 5 minutes after my original plane. They gave me a voucher for food, but didn’t take my luggage making it impossible for me to go upstairs to get food. Instead, I went down stairs, paid with my own money, and had the best cheesecake I have ever tasted in an airport and most of Taipei. After all of that I ended up on my original flight with an exit row seat. Anyone with long legs understands the power of the exit seat.
The airport in Tokyo is beautiful. I checked in again at the NWA desk which is conveniently by the gate I departed. The first guy was confused by my EVA air receipts and tickets. I told him, in a very strong voice, NWA made me go on that flight. Then I got up to the desk and breezed right on through (I don’t think I would have kept my voice in a civilized manner if the girl at the desk acted all confused). After all of this I will never use different carriers again no matter what.
I luckily got an exit row seat for this flight. My legs were thankful for that seat. The flight itself was 11 hours and 45 minutes, but it left an hour late. I was worried when we were getting closer to Detroit that I was going to be pushing it time wise. I got through customs quickly, but my bags took almost 30 minutes to come out. I orginially had 2 1/2 hours, but now I only had an 1 1/2 hour total to do customs, pick up bags, recheck bags, security, and then get to the gate. The woman rechecking my bag said my favorite line ever, “You could possibly make your flight.” With that in mind, I ran as fast as I could to the gate. I felt like I was in a movie. I did make it , a bit out of breath, but the flight attendant gave me a glass of water (since I was sitting in first class).
My last flight was very short compared to the other flights, only 1 1/2 hours. The added bonus was that I was put in first class (ain’t no shame). The flight was smooth and worry-free. The way all flights should be. It was a nice was to end my life in Taiwan.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Home
I have finally made it home. It was a bit of an ordeal. I will write about it later.
For anyone who knows me, knows that I can shop anywhere, anytime. So far I have a new dress (so cute), a purse, a raincoat, and new shoes. Here's a look at the new shoes.
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