Dec 3, 2006

Sunday, December 03, 2006

7 Weeks To Go...

Anticlimactic-that's the word I used to describe the purchase of our plane tickets on the 21st of November. Of course, I was really happy when I came into my office and checked Josh's email account and saw that Karmen had sent Josh our travel itenerary. However, then I noticed that my name was spelled "Janelle" instead of "Janell" on my ticket.

We had Karmen fix the mistake and I was issued a new confirmation number which is DONTGV...interesting how it almost reads "Don't Go." Hope it's not a sign...We got the flights we wanted departing on January 25 (good). Seat assignments are something else. We're fine on the XNA-LAX flight (10 A, B) and we can probably even switch to Exit Row on that flight. The AKL-PMR flight we're in 4 A, B (towards the front which I heard reduces the feel of turbulence in a turboprop plane which is what that flight is). The seat assignment on the Qantas flight from LAX-AKL is giving me trouble...though nothing major I guess.

Josh and I are seated in 40 A, B which is a window/middle seat. Last time I made the AKL-LAX flight, I said I'd never sit in the middle seat again because I can't get up to go to the bathroom as much as I like. However, 40 C is a bulkhead seat which means it technically cannot be given out over the telephone or internet...only in person. So, there is potential that we could have 40 C to ourselves. I don't know what to do. I've called American Airlines twice about the seat assignment and they do have a middle/aisle open, however, in the end I've stuck with the potential empty seat for now. We'll have a 5 hour layover in LAX so could potentially be early enough to snag Exit Row seats or the bulkhead. What to do, what to do?

Josh and I have had a productive week this last week. We purchased the StudentSafe Insurance. It just took one day of eating lunch in the car on the go (sausage and kraut) to make it happen. We received the certificates via email.

Josh and I have also completed a practice packing of our bags. Called American Airlines and unfortunately, they said the baggage weight limit is based on the first carrier you fly...which is them. AA has a 50 pound weight limit per bag whereas Qantas has a 70 pound limit per bag. We get to bring 2 checked bags each, our laptops, and one other carry on each (up to 40 pounds). The carry ons will be the garment bag and a backpack. After packing everything we wanted to bring in the checked luggage (only clothes and shoes), we weighed it all and we were good. As we unpacked, we wrote down everything that we had placed in the bag so we won't have to think about it when it is go time. I don't think other people move like this...or do they? Can you ever be too organized?

We emailed the Collis family and the Knowles family again and included our photo. Josh submitted and received funding for his Rotary proposal to study teacher merit pay in New Zealand. We also received the full outline of our funding. We emailed Anand, a student from India who will also be studying at Massey.

Also, we found a furnished house online in our budget and communicated with a real estate agent who sent us a list of other properties and said to stay in touch for an updated list as the time to move gets closer. Our Rotary hosts in Palmerston North also know about our housing concern and we think they are keeping an eye out for us.

Otherwise, Josh had no problems with defending his dissertation proposal. Friday, December 1 was a snow day and the UofA closed-complete shocker! We'll see how that causes the workshops scheduled that day to play out. We put up the Christmas tree and for the first time ever we have most presents bought before Christmas Eve! Mom had sinus surgery. Gregory went to Jordan and is headed for vacay in Mexico before coming home shortly. We pretty much broke even from our visit to Tunica...are there casinos in New Zealand?

Well, we feel on top of things at this point...we'll see what happens.