Jet set, GO!

The morning started out rough. I did sleep last night, but I woke feeling as though I had been awake all night. Having to say goodbye to my family at the airport was hard. I knew it would be, but nothing could have prepared me for just how hard. Leading up to it I felt sick to my stomach. I didn't want to say goodbye, I hate goodbyes. But After a few tears, I pulled my big girl pants up and continued on, solo through security.

After getting through the security checkpoint I still felt rattled but also a strange relief that we survived the goodbyes. 

 

I feel like I've lived the past week with a pounding, racing heart. My nerves have been on edge and I have been riding a giant emotional pendulum. I will be rather relieved to arrive, settle in, and start working towards some equilibrium again.

The folks I've met on my flights and in the air have been lovely to talk to. The gentlemen sitting next to me on the flight from Seattle to Shanghai is traveling on business, he inspects ethanol plants around the world. He is ex-navy and a fellow thespian! we talked about theatre and when conversation settled and he brought up his movie of choice, he chose into the woods. He was excited that I had recently been in a production of that very show. I think you could say he fan-girled. 

So, Delta Comfort+....

I approve. You get lots more leg room, and on our long flight there are several empty seats in our cabin so we got to spread out. I have my own little cubby, I can stretch out, curl up, whatever! Also, dinner was decent. We had three choices of meals. I went with the chicken in red wine sauce. It came with mixed rice and veggies, a roll and cheese, a salad and a brownie for dessert. The portion sizes are small by American standards, but considering you're sitting and not doing much else, I think it's just right.

They also keep you hydrated or enebriated, depending on your preference. 2 hours in and they have come around with beverages 3-4 times. I lost count. 

The wifi works, though only the first hour is free. (Sorry for any typos, I'm not taking time to edit at the moment). 

The entertainment is great. There are touch screen tablet type things on the back of each seat. You get a wide selection of entertainment from HBO, to showtime to new releases and foreign films. I've been watching the last season of John Oliver's This Week Tonight. It's great. 

All the announcements are made in English and Mandarin. The safety speech was a video and it was actually funny and well done. It was the first time I watched a flight safety speech in a long time. 

I am rather enjoying the flight--as much as one can--and rather look forward to curling up and falling asleep. 

The flight attendants did come round with entry forms I have to fill out for customs. Just you general information. All of it's in my passport or visa, not sure why they need it again. But, whatever. 

All of this still seems very surreal. I don't know when it will feel real. It's like a weird out-of-body experience, dream sequence. 

Ready?

Days until Departure: 5

Getting blood drawn was
VERY distressing...
Cue the panic attacks!

Well, my to-do list has dwindled significantly in the past week. I received my VISA, purchased my ticket, did the shopping, ordered and received my foreign currency, figured out the phone situation, purchased a VPN (I'm using expressVPN; I'll let you know how it works once I've had the chance to test it out in Shanghai), several panic-attack-inducing immunizations, a near-fainting blood draw, several sleepless nights, a few mandarin lessons, hours of staring into the depths of the closet, tearful goodbyes to the shoes that won't fit in my suitcase, acquired and filled space bags, sorted out legalities and finances with the parentals who will act as my benefactor/liaison should something crazy happen, and have spent many hours with friends and family over good food, wine and spirits. It's been very busy around here...

(Oh! Mom2, if you're reading this, I fully expect editing notes from you.)

I had a bit of a breakdown the other day, but a dear friend was gracious enough to help me through it and let me cry on his shoulder. It's a strange feeling when you know you won't see a place or people for at least a year. You start wondering about all the things you're going to miss: holidays, birthdays, births, deaths, weddings, graduations, celebrations, hardships, the 2016 election campaign... (okay, that last one is a bit sarcastic, though I am rather excited to see how it goes...). These bemusings often land me in a moody funk, so I resort to writing, pinterest, music, dance, nature, or researching all the things to do and see in China to resurrect my soul from the primordial ooze of pre-exodus depression.

International Travel Tip #1: If your company is paying/reimbursing your flight, but maybe won't pay for upgrades (I upgraded to Delta Comfort+, again, a review of this service feature will appear sometime after I experience it), buy the ticket as you would, then you can go in after the initial purchase and upgrade the seat with your own cash-ola. For my 12 hour flight from Seattle to Shanghai it cost me $139 to upgrade. The advertised perks are more leg room (when you're 6' tall, this is reason enough to upgrade), complimentary drinks, wifi, foodstuffs, and priority boarding.

Travel Tip #2: SIGN UP FOR MILES! I wish I had done this years ago, I would have SO many more miles. And you don't NEED a credit card to do this! Just go to the airline's webpage (I am currently signed up with Alaska Airline Miles and Delta Skymiles), and signup with their respective program. Easy peasy!

It's strange to think how different my life will be in such a short amount of time. I can't even wrap my head around it.

Well, a bit more packing then I suppose I'm off to bed for some pre-snooze reading.

T.M.



Currently Reading: Voyager. By, Diana Gabaldon