Japan? India? Korea?

Trying to decide on my first major trip outside the US borders.

1. Japan - Been there however not to Tokyō and northward. I wouldn't have anyone to visit it would just be me, myself, and I. Good thing I know Japanese, however it has gotten rusty over the years however I can re-learn it in a few days. Oh and if I am there less than 90 days, I don't need a visa...

2. India - In the top 10 places I want to go and see before I get to my grave. I have a friend there however he's not really talking too much to me right now so I am hesitant to get a visa to India and him not even being in the country when I'm there. Though I will probably get there some day on my own. I am slowly learning Hindi, but like any new language its only to the big cities for me while I'm there.

3. Korea - Well technically South Korea - Seoul to be exact. I was told it was an hour commuter's flight from Tokyō, so I could technically go to both countries while I'm over in Japan. Maybe I can go there for a visit, and I don't need a visa if I'm not staying there for less than 90 days! So I can do the commuter thing and have some fun in Seoul for a day.

So it may be Japan/Korea and then India. Who knows until I actually set foot in a plane headed to my destination I don't know either.

IT's here!!

YEA!! It is here!! Woot!! Only problem is that it is one of three items coming. The next is the documentation stuff that I sent to the US government and then Passport card.

I thought it was weird that in the places where it used to say STAMPS it says VISA. And I think it is smaller than the older one I have/had. If I do find it I might show the difference in size in a later picture.

I just got a passport cover ordered. so that will be spiffy.

On a different note... the Kokum Coconut Sorbet got a positive response when taste tested so I am going to tweak the recipe a bit and use my babysitters' father as a guinea pig. I need to make a few adjustments however I think with what I learned at school I maybe able to put it into production and sell a little in my future shop on hot days. She also stated that the food I am giving her is being eaten by every one except her.

This next week is going to be "fun" going to do a mass time line for cupcakes and sugar cookies!!

Wholly Cheeseballs

Well I woke up to this at 5 in the morning!

They said the 21st, not the 17th. I almost want to take the day off to revive it. Almost. 

I feel this is too soon. Waiting for my passport has been a mixed blessing. It's been exciting to know that I can travel to more places than the 50 states of America. However it means I can't travel too far and for too long because of the littles.

I want to take them with me however I know that 30+ hrs on a plane they would be miserable with out getting up and going some where. Three first class tickets are not in my future. 

When its time for them to travel overseas, I would like Grace will be 10 or so. I don't want them too young however I know as they get older it will get harder for travel however they will remember and have fun. 

I know I don't want to take them to museums and stuffy spots, however if they suggest it then I would go.

Can't wait for the package to arrive today!!

Day 21-14=7

Oh me oh my!!! Yesterday I was in my school baking baguettes and checked my email and the US government issued an email saying that they have completed everything and are sending it by NEXT WEEK!! Woot!! As my friend Heather says I am doing a snoopy dance of joy!! I maybe able to see snow in Canada or even start a visa to Japan or even more west.

And here are the baguettes. Yummy!!

Day 22

Been wondering since there is 22 days till the shiny passport comes and I can apply for the visas that will hopefully put me on a plane to the next leg of my journey west.

The thing about applying for the visas applications now a days is that they are 5+ pages long, need to see bank statements, have to attach a passport like photo to it (maybe even two) AND then you have to pay a fee to see if they would approve said application and then and only then you can buy a plane ticket for destination. When did world travel get so weird???

In 2000, I guess a different world by today's standards, I went to the Japanese consulate, filled out a page front and back (I think), no photo evidence besides my passport (if I am remembering it correctly), and whisked myself off to Japan like a month later and that was after I had all ready got my plane ticket booked and paid.

Now, like I said its 5+ pages, a passport picture (maybe two), the last 3 bank statements (if you reside in San Francisco County ((ONLY, and of course I will be applying in the city and county of San Francisco.)), and if you throw in your first born child (if approved mind you) they will throw in an extra few weeks for your traveling delight.

I have also thought about applying for an externship some where in the West. It would kill me because that is 6 weeks with out the littles. I'd be calling them every day however not to wake up to some one in the small of your back or getting my hair pulled in all general directions because the little little wants to play hair dresser. Okay maybe I won't miss that particular part however I would miss out on 6 weeks of Summer with the littles.

Though I do get two and the first one is just after my birthday and right before Bella's school starts up again. So if I was able to pull it off I could do one of two out in the world and come home for the remainder and still graduate on time. The other problem is my cats. 6 weeks away from them is no problem. However for them it will be 6 months to 6 years. I don't know who would take care of them for that long and I would have to pay some one to watch them.

Some times its easier for me to stick where I am at because of all the mess however part of me wants to travel and live some where and enjoy a new world for those 6 weeks.

I was thinking about applying to the Intercontinental Hotel and asking them if I can go abroad for a stay in a hotel, they own in a country I'd want to visit. Its one of those wish on a lucky star type deals and only if I had a connection or two in the HR department. That would be so cool if I could actually pull it off too...

Any way back here in reality, I am looking at 22 days till I get the passports and another few weeks before I even get clearance for a trip to the Western side of the world. I hope they don't change the guidelines of visas between now and November 10th.

Travel plans

Don't know about me and travel. I am itching to go some place. I know the places I want to go just need to get my butt there.

Long ago in 1984 I went to Europe with my mother. Don't remember a darn thing. 1990's rolls around and boom I'm back on an air plane stamping my passport in Central America and back in Europe. This time because of my age, I was able to remember most if not all of the events that happened. The one thing I didn't like was being under my parent's thumb. Mainly my step father however it was still some one saying where to go or what time to go to bed.

In 2000 my first trip by my lonesome. To Japan. I was by myself for the first time and loved it. The only thing I had to do was to get to the youth hostel in time so they wouldn't lock me out. The funny thing was I went to historical places and other museums by myself with out my dad telling me to do so.

I thought I would be back to the West side of the planet (well Japan and other Asian countries are to my west0. Then life took hold and I have my two littles. I thought my travel bug was done biting for a long time, well until they were old enough to travel with me. I guess my bug couldn't wait that long.

I have 24 days till my passport is sent to me. I really haven't thought about my life as a traveler in a while. Its exciting and scary. In the next 23 days, I think I'll be sharing a lot more about my travel plans.

I am all ready planing trip number 1 in my head...

Songs

Every one has songs that they hold close to their hearts. Here are a few of mine. May be eclectic however that's how I roll. This is in no particular order.

1992 - Seventh grade - First dance - It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday - Boyz II Men
2009 - How I felt about my first born - 1,2,3,4 - Plain White T's
1988 - New Kids On The Block fan girl - Hangin' Tough - NKOTB
1986 - (and beyond) My birthdays - It's My Party - Leslie Gore
2014 - First 6 Months - Let it Go - Movie Frozen
2014 - Last 6 Months - I'm Moving On - Rascal Flats
1997 - How I felt about my life - All Mixed Up - 311

Love to listen to new stuff. Even if it means annoying every one around me with a different sound than what they are used to. I love to listen to what the world listens to and try to come up with an eclectic mix. Right now, I am listening to some Bollywood and Country music. 

I miss my old computer. It had some Indian music I got back in 2007 from a video game engineer that was very shocked that I liked the music he was listening to. I told him it had a good beat and I liked it. He gave me a CD of some songs and I put them in my library. Now its in a digital space because my computer decided to take a noise dive and I don't know where the original hard drive is now. 

I am always looking for some good music. Comment on your favorites.