So it begins…..my quest to China for a year! How to begin preparing and packing for a year long trip is at a complete loss for me, I have NO IDEA what I am doing. I have a hard enough time packing for a week long trip let alone a year long trip….My first instinct enlist MOM:) Please help…you have done everything for me so why not one more thing:)
Of course you have to make sure you are able to enter the country and stay so, passport; check, visa; check, shots; check, plane ticket; check the essential items to get me over there have been completed. This is not my first rodeo abroad but by far the longest adventure I am preparing to take on. This will be my 5th time abroad not counting Mexico or Canada so the aspect of new land, new culture has not yet phased me.
While I have exactly two weeks til I depart this fine country I have yet to gather any items together and only 6 more days for packing time…I have however been trying to fit in all “American” activities who knows what I will miss while Im in a communist country. But I do know I will not miss the Presidential Election build up, I’ve only heard it for one month and its already driving me crazy.
The packing is coming slow but my planning for things to do and see is overly organized and planned to the “T”. I have prepared all summer with reading books, online websites, and blogs to give the yay or nah on what to do.
Well, I suppose I shall get back to procrastinating my packing and take in my last two weeks of Amurica…. Talk to you next time…
有錢使得鬼推墨: When money talks, bull**** walks.
D. White
dwhitechina 
Good luck Danielle, what an incredible journey your about to begin. I’m jealous!..I look forward to reading all about your adventures! PS I have a friend Jana Rae who is an Attorney that just finished a teaching assignment in Korea. I sent her a link to your Blog she may contact you on advise of what to pack!… among other things… smile
Jerry
Greetings, Danielle! A friend of your mom’s sent me this link. I just returned from a month in South Korea. It’s not China, but just in case any of this can help, here are some things I wish I’d taken / was glad I took:
–> Slip-on shoes to be worn with socks. I don’t know about China, but in SK, yes, you always take your shoes off inside one’s home. And they didn’t like bare feet. And I didn’t like putting on other’s houseslippers. 🙂 Even in a clothes dressing room, I was to take my shoes off. Tying and untying my sneakers was a bit cumbersome.
–> Umbrella. I was there during the rainy season, and I seriously needed the umbrella. My hosts were also impressed I’d planned ahead accordingly.
–> Shirts that wick. with rainy season came incredible humidity. I bought a couple of new shirts while there that were great at wicking moisture—much nicer for walking around in.
–> My Kindle. I loved that I bought that for myself before I left. I always had it in my purse or backpack and could at any time access my multiple travel guide books, a couple of language books, and a novel I was currently reading.
Hope you have a wonderful experience! (I’m trying to talk my niece into doing something similar once she graduates in Dec 2012.)
Thanks Jana so much for the advice I appreciate any help I can get!
I know what I will be sending you, so you just let me know when you need some 🙂 I will send you whatever you are needing, just holler at me. Please be safe and I hope you have some of the best adventures and memories of your life. You are one lucky person. I love you very much. Aunt Steph