It gets better, right?

bethey · Jun 16th, 2009, 08:25

I leave in 13 days. I am SO stressed.

Stuff in the apartment that people have promised to pick up - the people haven't showed.

I seem to be asking for the impossible to rent a car one way from VA to Newark Airport - somehow this feat is impossible with some companies and insanely expensive with others.

The cat sanctuary for my cats ended up being a crazy cat lady in a trailer park....

Part of me wants to cry, part of me wants to scream, part of me wants to curl up in the fetal position and dream about happy places with rainbows and unicorns.

Is this normal for a soon-to-be-expat?

Digital Drifter · Jun 16th, 2009, 09:05

not exactly.

The unpaid bills, the bailiffs battering down your door thinking you're inside while you're away. The dripping water faucet, the damp, the mold....

Did it get better?

bethey · Jun 16th, 2009, 10:07

Bailiffs? Let's not add that to the list!

Thankfully, I am currently renting, so that is one ray of sunshine - lease is up, not my problem.

I have been bugging my doc and dentist to pony up with account statements - I don't want those hovering overhead once overseas. I guess I'll call them again tomorrow.

I just feel like all I do is make lists of lists yet still forgetting things!

Hal · Jun 16th, 2009, 10:12

Think of it as training for India.

Good luck. Just think, in a few days you can leave all that behind.

bethey · Jun 16th, 2009, 10:18

My first two trips were relatively painless because I knew I could survive a couple of weeks with whatever in limbo here.

It's committing to having things done here, knowing realistically I won't be back for months [December at the earliest] that has me a bit freaked out.

camelgirl · Jun 16th, 2009, 10:35

Getting ready for a trip longer than a month is very stressful. There are endless things to plan ahead for.

I always worry like crazy about all the details & tying up all the loose ends.

On the plus side, now with the internet, I can track my credit card & pay any bills online.

My big worry is always something that will sit in the mail for months that needed to be taken care of. Like being called for Jury Duty & missing that. I hate jury duty but they don't take kindly to ignoring that notice!

In reality, once I'm on the plane, I stop thinking about all of it and I just don't give a crap & move into travel mode!

I'm sure it will all work out.

About that rental car. Yes, it's a nightmare sometimes. We had to rent a car in Nov. from home in Western N.C. to Atlanta Airport. $70 To come back a month later from Atlanta to Western NC $200!

Could you possibly take the train up to Newark? There are trains from Newark Penn Station that probably go to Virgina or Washington DC. Or would that be a huge hassle.

bethey · Jun 16th, 2009, 10:54

I'll be down on the Eastern Shore, so I'll be driving halfway just to get to a place that has mass transit. I figure the big chunk in the car rental is the one-way fee, not the time or mileage. Either way the rental will set me back $200.

Thankfully, I have my parents keeping track of my mail. They feel like they are contributing to my "adventure" that way

.

As of right now my list seems managable however the exact same list 1 hour ago sent me into a tizzy. Please note that absolutely nothing has been crossed off - just that magically right now I'm ok with what is left.

I keep thinking that once I'm on the plane - all will be well...

Then when I land I can hunt for an apartment, worry about meeting my soon to be in-laws, discuss the nuances of the wedding, finally nail down the exact schedule to meet a yak [long story], etc etc etc. I have a feeling the 14 hour plane ride will be the only down time I'll have!

capt_mahajan · Jun 16th, 2009, 11:26

Err, plan to have a stiff drink on the flight. Usually puts everything in perspective

namaste_cat · Jun 16th, 2009, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by camelgirl

In reality, once I'm on the plane, I stop thinking about all of it and I just don't give a crap & move into travel mode!

Same here.

That, and what Capt said - a stiff drink helps!

I'm not leaving for good, just for a few weeks but the suitcases are open w/ things being thrown in, and long list being made for hubby here. That's stressful enough, can't even imagine a longer term move. So yeah, I'd think the stress you feel is very normal.

bethey · Jun 28th, 2009, 11:10

I'll be in the air in about 20 hours...

I've hit the "who the hell cares anymore" wall.

I drive 5.5 hours tomorrow and then sit on a plane for 14 more.

Not too smart - it seemed smart 3 weeks ago.

wonderwomanusa · Jun 28th, 2009, 11:22

Happy trails to you ....

hinduwannabe · Jun 28th, 2009, 15:01

I am also having major stress about shipping things to india, I have found a good reputable company to ship the goods but having kittens about the whole export duties, Indian Customs sanctions etc...

Has anyone else moved their furniture, belongings & electronic things before? If so what were the cost, consequences & stress involved? And what about papers & visa's? what is needed?

Thanks

Nick-H · Jun 28th, 2009, 15:03

I think you should post your question in the expat section; maybe make it a new thread.

hinduwannabe · Jun 28th, 2009, 15:09

thanks I was unsure how to make a new thread, I shall seek to search

nikhilsegel · Jun 28th, 2009, 15:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by capt_mahajan

Err, plan to have a stiff drink on the flight. Usually puts everything in perspective

Or two or three for four ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bethey

I'll be in the air in about 20 hours...

I've hit the "who the hell cares anymore" wall.

I drive 5.5 hours tomorrow and then sit on a plane for 14 more.

Not too smart - it seemed smart 3 weeks ago.

Bethey,

Its just moving blues, think about the fun your going to have in India .. the steaming heat, the power cuts, the potholes, the constant badgering for alms ..

UMMMMMM... the smell of fresh cow dung interspersed with factory effluence ..

Just kidding ... I am sure it will be perfect and filled with calm and peace and joy..

Jun 16th, 2009, 08:25	#1
bethey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Delhi/VA Posts: 124	It gets better, right? I leave in 13 days. I am SO stressed. Stuff in the apartment that people have promised to pick up - the people haven't showed. I seem to be asking for the impossible to rent a car one way from VA to Newark Airport - somehow this feat is impossible with some companies and insanely expensive with others. The cat sanctuary for my cats ended up being a crazy cat lady in a trailer park.... Part of me wants to cry, part of me wants to scream, part of me wants to curl up in the fetal position and dream about happy places with rainbows and unicorns. Is this normal for a soon-to-be-expat?

Jun 16th, 2009, 09:05	#2
Digital Drifter bang a whore? Bangalore Dammit! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,405	not exactly. The unpaid bills, the bailiffs battering down your door thinking you're inside while you're away. The dripping water faucet, the damp, the mold.... Did it get better? __________________ Click here for the Indiamike train guide in PDF

Jun 16th, 2009, 10:35	#6
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 2,037	It's Normal! Getting ready for a trip longer than a month is very stressful. There are endless things to plan ahead for. I always worry like crazy about all the details & tying up all the loose ends. On the plus side, now with the internet, I can track my credit card & pay any bills online. My big worry is always something that will sit in the mail for months that needed to be taken care of. Like being called for Jury Duty & missing that. I hate jury duty but they don't take kindly to ignoring that notice! In reality, once I'm on the plane, I stop thinking about all of it and I just don't give a crap & move into travel mode! I'm sure it will all work out. About that rental car. Yes, it's a nightmare sometimes. We had to rent a car in Nov. from home in Western N.C. to Atlanta Airport. $70 To come back a month later from Atlanta to Western NC $200! Could you possibly take the train up to Newark? There are trains from Newark Penn Station that probably go to Virgina or Washington DC. Or would that be a huge hassle. __________________ My selected India photos http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...r/7030/cat/500

Jun 16th, 2009, 11:26	#8
capt_mahajan Infidel Sufi Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: styx Posts: 13,605	Err, plan to have a stiff drink on the flight. Usually puts everything in perspective __________________ . Outside the machine

Jun 28th, 2009, 11:22	#11
wonderwomanusa Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 4,261	Happy trails to you .... __________________ The map is not the territory. --Alfred Korzybski

Jun 16th, 2009, 10:07	#3
bethey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Delhi/VA Posts: 124	Bailiffs? Let's not add that to the list! Thankfully, I am currently renting, so that is one ray of sunshine - lease is up, not my problem. I have been bugging my doc and dentist to pony up with account statements - I don't want those hovering overhead once overseas. I guess I'll call them again tomorrow. I just feel like all I do is make lists of lists yet still forgetting things!

Jun 16th, 2009, 10:12	#4
Hal . . . _ _ _ . . . Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,302	Think of it as training for India. Good luck. Just think, in a few days you can leave all that behind.

Jun 16th, 2009, 10:18	#5
bethey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Delhi/VA Posts: 124	My first two trips were relatively painless because I knew I could survive a couple of weeks with whatever in limbo here. It's committing to having things done here, knowing realistically I won't be back for months [December at the earliest] that has me a bit freaked out.

Jun 16th, 2009, 10:54	#7
bethey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Delhi/VA Posts: 124	I'll be down on the Eastern Shore, so I'll be driving halfway just to get to a place that has mass transit. I figure the big chunk in the car rental is the one-way fee, not the time or mileage. Either way the rental will set me back $200. Thankfully, I have my parents keeping track of my mail. They feel like they are contributing to my "adventure" that way . As of right now my list seems managable however the exact same list 1 hour ago sent me into a tizzy. Please note that absolutely nothing has been crossed off - just that magically right now I'm ok with what is left. I keep thinking that once I'm on the plane - all will be well... Then when I land I can hunt for an apartment, worry about meeting my soon to be in-laws, discuss the nuances of the wedding, finally nail down the exact schedule to meet a yak [long story], etc etc etc. I have a feeling the 14 hour plane ride will be the only down time I'll have!

Jun 28th, 2009, 11:10	#10
bethey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Delhi/VA Posts: 124	I'll be in the air in about 20 hours... I've hit the "who the hell cares anymore" wall. I drive 5.5 hours tomorrow and then sit on a plane for 14 more. Not too smart - it seemed smart 3 weeks ago.

Jun 28th, 2009, 15:01	#12
hinduwannabe hinduwannabe Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: england Posts: 20	relocating your house contents... I am also having major stress about shipping things to india, I have found a good reputable company to ship the goods but having kittens about the whole export duties, Indian Customs sanctions etc... Has anyone else moved their furniture, belongings & electronic things before? If so what were the cost, consequences & stress involved? And what about papers & visa's? what is needed? Thanks __________________ Desperately seeking citizenship

Jun 28th, 2009, 15:03	#13
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,189	I think you should post your question in the expat section; maybe make it a new thread.

Jun 28th, 2009, 15:09	#14
hinduwannabe hinduwannabe Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: england Posts: 20	thanks I was unsure how to make a new thread, I shall seek to search

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