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I was always so focused on the final destination... When I thought about moving to London I just imagined packing my stuff, jumping on a plane and jumping off at the other side. Easy peasy... I suppose it was kind of naive of me to think like that. But in a way, I'm glad I did. If I took the time to sit down and have a really long think about everything else, I'd probably be sitting at home having an anxiety attack.
Apart from the packing taking about a week longer than I anticipated. There were so many other things along the way that tested our patience... The emails back and forwards with the teaching agency, the entire process to get a working visa, various annoying, time consuming paperwork, house hunting, flight hunting... The list goes on.
But then there's all the actual waiting. Transit time. Waiting to check in, waiting to board, waiting to take off, waiting to land, waiting to get processed, waiting for luggage, waiting for taxis...
Needless to say, we're now pro waiters. In fact, I consider myself an exceptional waiter. Here is a list of things I do to pass the time...
1. Judge people's travel experience purely on their choice of shoes and luggage.
Extra points are allocated for persons with back pack exceeding 30 litres (you're instantly hardcore and awesome in my opinion). Points deducted for ladies who have too much make-up on and/or heels that are beyond 'classy' limits and exceed the prostitute/stripper levels.
2. Read my Kindle.
My sister and brother-in-law gave me a Kindle for my birthday this year, and I've been reading on it practically non stop since then... I'm currently reading Harry Potter (I know, I know... I'm years behind, but I've finally mustered up the courage to read it), and really enjoying it... No nightmares of Dobby or you-know-who yet.
3. Fiddle with my Rubik's Cube.
This was also a gift for my birthday, sent from Canada from my brother. He enjoyed playing with one on his journeys and thought I would too. And I do. Not only did I receive the cube, but also a two page, hand written instruction on how to solve a side (he's crazy). The instructions were surprisingly accurate and I managed to solve an entire side for the first time since May, about 8 hours into the flight from Hong Kong to London... I've added a photo of this precise moment in time... It was a very exciting moment for me.
4. Watch people sleep.
This habit breaches the limits of 'creepy person', but it's something I'm happy to admit. It is so fascinating. Some people have the knack of falling to sleep in the most unusual circumstances... My Poppa is very good at this, he can fall asleep between his turns playing board games. He can also fall asleep part way trough a meal at the dinner table. How I envy this skill of his, if only being able to fall asleep in strange places was genetic... I probably would have had some more shut eye on the plane if it were the case. Anyhow, nothing pleases me more than looking around the cabin at people who have fallen asleep with their mouth gaping open, with their hand on the seat in front or on the shoulder of the stranger next to them. I always imagine the romantic conversation that follows after waking up. Then there's those people who wiggle into the most awkward positions, one foot on the seat in front, curled up jumper for a pillow, goodness knows how they managed to nod off.
5. Pester fiancé.
This of course is obviously not something that comes to mind. But upon asking D what else to add to this list, he suggested it. It makes sense really. What can I say? I'm an incredibly inquisitive person, I ask lots of questions and most of the time, D can supply the answer... Or make up some rubbish response but say it in a way that sounds convincing.
Apart from the packing taking about a week longer than I anticipated. There were so many other things along the way that tested our patience... The emails back and forwards with the teaching agency, the entire process to get a working visa, various annoying, time consuming paperwork, house hunting, flight hunting... The list goes on.
But then there's all the actual waiting. Transit time. Waiting to check in, waiting to board, waiting to take off, waiting to land, waiting to get processed, waiting for luggage, waiting for taxis...
Needless to say, we're now pro waiters. In fact, I consider myself an exceptional waiter. Here is a list of things I do to pass the time...
1. Judge people's travel experience purely on their choice of shoes and luggage.
Extra points are allocated for persons with back pack exceeding 30 litres (you're instantly hardcore and awesome in my opinion). Points deducted for ladies who have too much make-up on and/or heels that are beyond 'classy' limits and exceed the prostitute/stripper levels.
2. Read my Kindle.
My sister and brother-in-law gave me a Kindle for my birthday this year, and I've been reading on it practically non stop since then... I'm currently reading Harry Potter (I know, I know... I'm years behind, but I've finally mustered up the courage to read it), and really enjoying it... No nightmares of Dobby or you-know-who yet.
3. Fiddle with my Rubik's Cube.
This was also a gift for my birthday, sent from Canada from my brother. He enjoyed playing with one on his journeys and thought I would too. And I do. Not only did I receive the cube, but also a two page, hand written instruction on how to solve a side (he's crazy). The instructions were surprisingly accurate and I managed to solve an entire side for the first time since May, about 8 hours into the flight from Hong Kong to London... I've added a photo of this precise moment in time... It was a very exciting moment for me.
4. Watch people sleep.
This habit breaches the limits of 'creepy person', but it's something I'm happy to admit. It is so fascinating. Some people have the knack of falling to sleep in the most unusual circumstances... My Poppa is very good at this, he can fall asleep between his turns playing board games. He can also fall asleep part way trough a meal at the dinner table. How I envy this skill of his, if only being able to fall asleep in strange places was genetic... I probably would have had some more shut eye on the plane if it were the case. Anyhow, nothing pleases me more than looking around the cabin at people who have fallen asleep with their mouth gaping open, with their hand on the seat in front or on the shoulder of the stranger next to them. I always imagine the romantic conversation that follows after waking up. Then there's those people who wiggle into the most awkward positions, one foot on the seat in front, curled up jumper for a pillow, goodness knows how they managed to nod off.
5. Pester fiancé.
This of course is obviously not something that comes to mind. But upon asking D what else to add to this list, he suggested it. It makes sense really. What can I say? I'm an incredibly inquisitive person, I ask lots of questions and most of the time, D can supply the answer... Or make up some rubbish response but say it in a way that sounds convincing.
Xxo