I know, I know, I'm super late this week...And not necessarily because I've been horrendously busy, though I have been busy. But the reason for my lateness is more than just not being able to find the time. I fully admit to being a procrastinator, and that is mostly what has been happening to the blog post this week. Not procrastinating by simply saying "Oh, I'll get to it later," but more of a "I'd rather do this/I need to do this more/first" and then suddenly I could be trying to write this post late at night when I'm mostly incoherent or I can try again the next day. The latter option has happened three times so far this week so hopefully this fourth attempt will be the charm. Or maybe I'll be like Cousin Vinny and the sixth attempt will be the charm (it's a movie, it's hilarious, you should all watch it and let me know what you think). Anyway, there has been quite a bit going on for me this week, mostly revolving around moving myself across an ocean. Depending on your point of view, it's either worse than it sounds or not entirely as bad as it sounds. But it isn't a walk in the park (unless you're talking hiking, then it may be).
Similar to how it was when I just moved across the country, there are a lot of little, "every day" things that need to be taken care of when you attempt to move across oceans and national borders. For example, credit/debit cards all need to be informed that you're traveling, even when just buying the plane tickets for international travel. It was literally a whole fiasco that took about an hour to try and purchase (not find, just purchase) the plane tickets because my bank was being very diligent in making sure there was no fraud. This is a wonderful thing. Except for when it isn't because it takes four or five phone calls to make sure I actually get the tickets and I'm worrying the whole time that either the plane will fill up and I'll have to find another flight or the prices will skyrocket because the website data is saying "there's a lot of people interested, you can probably jack up prices" even though it's just one person trying to figure out why the stupid flights "may no longer be available" when there were still at least 40 seats left five minutes ago when she finally got the bank on the phone to let them know it is her trying to purchase plane tickets from European companies. Another thing to think about, the different luggage/carry-on restrictions that exist for airlines from other countries. They aren't always more restrictive than national airlines, but in my case, some of them are which means I'm actually going to have to purchase a new carry-on bag. Not a huge deal, but that's still something I have to do before I leave. Also, an update in electronics. This, for me, is more because I'm embarking on a PhD and a seven year old computer that has Windows 7 (which will be discontinued come next year) is not necessarily the best idea. But I have to make sure that new computer will be able to handle the electric system in the UK. Along with making sure my phone and e-reader can handle it as well. Plus, actually purchasing (or finding my parents' old version) electric-plug-adapters/converters. Apparently the UK and Ireland use different ones than the rest of Europe, and if I'm going to be travelling across Europe, and potentially other places too for conferences, I'm going to need a converter kit that is more than just the UK. Not to mention unlocking my phone and figuring out which company I want to go with for a UK mobile phone plan. I'm thinking at this moment that a pay-as-I-go plan is going to be what happens, but I've still got research to do. Thankfully, I've already got my Visa hammered out. And where I'm going to be living. And I have a very limited part-time job as a Teaching Assistant, so I'll at least have some food money that isn't coming out of my savings until I can find a 15 hr/week job for the rest of my living expenses. But I still have a lot to do and it is daunting. That being said, I still have a little time left, so I can take it small chunks at a time and still have opportunities to hang out with family and crochet a baby blanket for a friend that I should have started last month (I told you all I was a procrastinator ;P ). Anyway. If you have advice, encouragement, or even just words of commiseration, let me know in the comments. And if you have any reading suggestions, let me know. I always love adding to my TBR pile. Happy Reading!
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AuthorThe author is a librarian who reads "too much" (is there such a thing?) and talks just as much. As an aspiring author she gets bogged down by grammar rules when she just wants to forget them to make a sentence flow, but never seems to be able to. She appreciates thoughtful comments and constructive criticism, but internet trolls beware, she's read enough fantasy novels to know how to defeat the monsters. Archives
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