6 Sept 2008 - Saturday morning EST

I guess that whole visualization thing works when it wants to. My visa is in the mail. I highly recommend anyone needing a visa to use this company called A Briggs, located in Washington, D.C. My "person" was Alex Kalim, super helpful and made the process so much easier than what it could've been. Since I'm currently in Georgia, the Chinese Consulate for the southeast is in Houston. Their website is difficult and I didn't make any more progress calling them. This is the first time I've ever had to get any kind of visa. And opening the Chinese door (versus entries into other countries) could be comparable to Ft. Knox, at the risk of sounding cliche.

This isn't the first time I've done something alone, however, so underneath my anxiety was a self-assured feeling that I could handle obtaining a visa without someone holding my hand. Back in early 2007, when I was moving from San Diego to Atlanta, I did it all on my own. Granted, domestic relocation is easier, but it was still stressful executing the logistics, such as figuring out what type of moving equipment I could use but still drive my car and make it across the country. I handled that one, so why can't I handle this, right?

Anyway, my mom's biggest concern is making sure I don't pack more than 50 lbs. per suitcase. She knows as well as I do I have a hard time packing light. I will admit to having a clothes fetish. I don't have any tattoos like most people my age so consider it my means of self-expression. And if I only brought three things to wear per climate, I'd start to feel really stagnant. Plus, I'm sure it's going to be difficult to shop for clothes being that most Asian women are a lot smaller and more petite than I am. I don't want to freeze, either. Baoding is level to the D.C. area in climate, which is not that bad, but it still gets cold. I can enjoy a good winter as long as I'm bundled up. I sound like I'm making excuses. At least they're valid.