ACK! Only two weeks to go and I do NOT feel ready. Seriously, I’m in a constant state of very low panic over all this. Don’t get me wrong, I’m very excited but I also feel like there is no way I am going to actually be ready.
I did start packing. I’m relatively sure that I could fit everything I need into one large suitcase, but it is likely to be over the weight limit. That means paying a luggage fee AND having one very full suitcase. Knowing that I will want to buy some items to bring home from my travels, I’m leaning toward packing in two less full suitcases. I realize that this will make the trek in and out of the airports more difficult. Normally I wouldn’t worry about that but since we’ve opted to break up our connections by spending a few days in London that means lugging the suitcases out of the London airport and onto the train both to the hotel and back to the airport. Ugh. I guess we will manage it though.
I was also just informed that there is paperwork I must complete to obtain my “conference” visa to attend the mid-year Fulbright conference in India. I think someone forgot to tell me about this because when I asked, I was told that the US Embassy in Uzbekistan was given all the information I need and I should contact them ASAP. Did I already say “Ugh”? I should have thought to ask about this sooner. So I sent off an email to my contact at the Embassy and expect to hear back once she is in the office on Monday. I’m sure it will all work out but Fulbright can’t purchase my plane tickets to India until I have the visa.
Oh, and I received the first installment of my grant money. That was nice to see. For grants that start in January, scholars have the option to get the first payment in December (the payment is typically made one month prior to your grant start date) or for tax reasons, in Jan. My accountant said that it would be better to wait to get the first payment until 2019 so I did, but I had to buy my plane tickets and pay for other items like our visas in December. I was happy to see my payment come through right at the beginning of Jan.
Speaking of money, I spend over an hour at my bank yesterday taking care of all the financial arrangements. For example, I needed to wire money to pay the tuition at the school my son will be attending. I also made sure my ATM card would work while overseas and got some cash for travelling.
The big task for this coming week is to print out any remaining documents I need and finish packing everything except my carry-on bags. With all my good clothes packed, I’m afraid that I am going to spending these last two week wearing my husband’s sweatpants and my old/ugly t-shirts. If you see me around town, you’ll know why I’m dressed like a hobo.
Experience Fulbright 