30 March 2011

Leaving Friday!

Hey guys, we won't try to exhaust you all with an additional farwell.  Or will we?

Yup.

As it stands, Amy and I will be flying through Japan on Friday/Saturday and then venture into "safer" lands: Thailand. 

We have thought of swiping some radiation badges from the floor, but decided it would us just stress us out to know after the fact that we had over exposure to I-131. 

I think that's only half in jest. 

I spent a good portion of my morning trying to finagle something with Thai Airways.  I was promised a phone call, "when my manager gets out of his meeting."  I have receved no such call. Fooy.

Well, if we should come back glowing... no laughing.

But, in all honestly, we'll miss you all! 

13 March 2011

Preparing for our journey: by Katie

Creating a packing list for a long journey can be rather precarious.  One thing I have decided not to skimp on is undergarments. Sure I can live with a single pair of pants.  I don't really need more than 2 pair of shoes. But, let's be honest, there are some things that you should always have a fresh clean pair of.

But, here's where things get interesting...
You see, we all know that mothers can be so kindhearted and helpful.  My mother is no exception. In fact, while shopping last weekend she thought of me and decided to send me a care package to help me prepare for my journey.

She called me after purchasing her "surprise."  She raved, "you're going to love it" with an excited giggle. My interest was instantly piqued.

I was lucky enough to receive said "care package" from my mother this past Friday.  In the package I found a pair of ski gloves I had lent my mother a week ago, two empty egg cartons, and a pair of "17 countries...6 weeks... one pair of underwear. (Ok, maybe two)" underwear.  (I swear, that is the wording on the tag. I couldn't make this kind of thing up). 

I can hardly imagine the thoughts that went through the mind of the UPS guy that boxed this up for my mom.

The egg carton and gloves were "returns."  The underwear, however, was the gem my mother had picked out special for my traveling adventure.

The underwear might appear to be self-explanatory (like any other pair of underwear I have ever owned), but just in case you were to get confused, if kindly details all facets of the underwear and it's uses (the pictures included are uses I have come up with on my own... thank you very much).

Washing instructions are as follows:
"After washing this underwear with soap, simply wring it out, lay it flat on a dry towel, roll it up like a burrito and stomp on it. Hang dry in a well ventilated location. It should be dry in about 2-4 hours depending on humidity"

I love the bit about the dry towel... because I will obviously have a spare dry towel to dry my undies after washing them in the sink?

The wearing instructions are even more entertaining:
"To achieve enduring comfort, wear these everyday, for everything."


As you can imagine, I was unsure my mother sent these to me in jest.  The briefs are hu-mung-ous! And, when tried on over my pants, rose up as high as my bra line.  They looked like some sort of parachuting paraphernalia, taking "grandma" panties to a whole new level.
So, I called to verify.

Let's just say, I don't think these were sent in jest.

When I asked about the extreme proportions, my mother explained, "the better to keep you warm, like long underwear."

I was in stitches I was laughing so hard.  Tears crashed over my lashes as I found myself in a fit of hysterical laughter. 

My mother thought the idea of giant-wear-everyday-undies to be the most ideal gift imaginable.  God love her!


Well, I guess I can check undies off the list :)

Dear Friends and Family,

As most of you already know Katie and I are taking 3 months off and traveling the world (or part of the world anyway) starting April. Our journey will hopefully start in Japan (pending possible nuclear fall out that might put a damper on things) Since the earthquake there has been much sadness and chaos in Japan we are hoping to do some good along the way and volunteer our nursing skills. Lets cross our fingers that we can go there! We are lucky that we will get to meet up with all of our international friends during our journey and even have friends from the states that might join us along the way :)

Love,
Amy


The Plan...

Portland to *Tokyo:  Friday, April 01, 2011
   
Tokyo to Bangkok: Monday, April 11, 2011

Bangkok to Delhi: Thursday, April 21, 2011
   
Delhi to Madrid: Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Tooling about…. Spain → Switzerland → Czech Republic → Croatia→ Turkey → Sailing around Greece

Athens to New York: Sunday, June 26, 2011






* Flight to Japan may be changing... pending nuclear safety issues and government restrictions to natural disaster ravaged Japan... we are praying for all who have been affected by the earthquake,  subsequent tsunami, and damaged nuclear plants.