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Postcard From Summerisle
Those of you who have spent an extended period of time with me know that I tend to procrastinate. I am the girl that makes a list with "make new to-do list" on it. In honor of this, I thought I would share what a "to do list" entails for this kind of journey. Maybe it will help me get motivated to accomplish the less exciting things on the list instead of trying to think of new, more exciting tasks to add.
Lindsey's Fun List
- Buy something fun for the kids of the first family I am staying with (they have four boys). I'm thinking something cool like a small lego pack? Who doesn't love building the occasional medieval castle?
- Sew patches onto my backpack- see photo. It is something cool that I started because I had way too many patches left over from my time with Intrepid which I bought to decorate my van and remember where I had been. I used to pin them to the ceiling so passengers could look at them, but now I sew them onto my backpack. I think it adds a little character, especially because I sew as much as I iron (Mrs. McFadden are you out there?!), so the patches are generally crooked but I'm proud.
- Contact potential friends in the area. I travelled with a guy named Alex in Mongolia during November and he is from Tel-Aviv. He had just begun a one year trip around the world to celebrate getting out of the IDF, so I am not sure if he is back, but worth a shot. Also, I want to try and contact Alex Toutoungi's cousin in Cairo.
- Begin the process of deciding which songs will make the final Ipod playlist cut. I don't think I can bring my laptop with me, it will have to travel with mom and dad, so this is a crucial task that cannot be overexaggerated in its importance.
Lindsey's Practical, and thus boring, List
- Get sleeping bag cleaned
- Pay credit card bill so I can get a true idea of what my budget will be
- make a budget
- call VISA to ensure I can use my credit card over there
- call Charles Schwab to let them know where I am going- we do not need a Romania ATM 2011 repeat (shout out to Andy from the Indianapolis office who saved me from a night on the streets in Transylvania). Also, note on Charles Schwab: I cannot recommend them enough. They are sending me a security device which will be mathematically synced (sorry to the techies who absolutely know I am butchering this vocabulary) to my online account. This device will have a new security code every 30 seconds, so that when I want to access my account on-line in a less-than-secure area, I can add that to my password and ensure a secure setting. They are sending this for free because they rock.
- Find camera battery charger- its gotta be around here somewhere
- Wait patiently for my new phone to come in the mail. This came as a recommendation from mom's friend in the state department. He said I should get a dual SIM card, quad band, GSM phone (whatever all of that means) with a pre-paid SIM card from telestial.com. The guy currently lives in Djibouti, so I took his advice. It's actually pretty cool. The phone can hold a global SIM card with a global number for emergencies or calls home AND it can hold a local SIM card, at the same time, so I can keep in touch/contact future or past host families. It was actually not so expensive, all of that for only 70$, and I think its worth it when travelling for 6 months. I caught a lot of grief from people I met during my last trip for not being able to contact them (sorry Virgil in Brasov, this time I will do better!), so this solves that problem.
- Once I get this phone, and its number, I need to register with the State Department through STEP (Smart Traveller Enrollment Program). In my opinion, until you have been trained by the CIA or FBI, you are not cool enough to travel off the radar. I'm not trying to get stuck over there in the event Bibi freaks out before November and tries to handle the Iranian situation on his own.
- Get all required prescriptions- shoutout to Longstreet Clinic for being incredibly cool and giving me 6 free months of birth control-cover your ears Rick Santorum
- PACK
Not a list to scoff at, but not insurmountable either.
- comments
Cpizzy Im trying a new 5 ingredient recipe in the next 2 wks so I think I get it when it comes to an overwhelming to-do list. Also its cool you have readers from longstreet clinic. That must be a perk for regulars only? And lastly, you can sew?
Betty & Veronica ^^ you can sew?? where were you when we needed you... legos could be cool, you would want it to be a castle. what about dr. dre beats headphones?? too much? shout to andy in indianapolis & the barney guy who fixed our cable every month in college.
lolo one question...how do you even begin to pack for this trip?? I guess I would ask that question...but I'm stressing out for you. and for that playlist you got in the works. no pressure dude, but this has got to be a life-changing list... haha
BJH I watch you everyday stressing over this list, I will be glad for you when it becomes a glad it's done list along with my memory of how wonderful it has been to have you home. BTW, you did not get your procastination gene from me.
Georgia Vaughn Can I fit in your backpack? What a wonderful adventure you have ahead of you. I look forward to travelling with you via your blog! Be safe and make amazing memories!
Aunt Carol You are a busy girl but I have all the confidence in you that you will get it done. Love ya.
Angie Mannheimer OMG, I am so excited for u Lindsey! I am always asking your mom where your next trip will be. Make sure to include lots of photos!!! We love photos! Have a fabulous journey and be safe.xoxoxo
irene Wishing you all the best for your travels!!! You will manage. Will see you in my home in the netherlands. Irene