factoring fear into the budget

I'm finally getting around to figuring out a budget for our travels. I know, I know... it's a little late in the game to be just starting, but really I was just avoiding it so that it didn't overwhelm me. I'm not quite sure what we'll be able to manage, but here's the breakdown so far. Costs are for all three of us:
Visas: $330
Hotel/Food for one week in Ha Noi: $220
Train from Ha Noi to Da Nang: $150
Live in central Viet Nam for two months: paid in full
Train from Da Nang to Ha Noi: $150
Hotel/Food for 3 days in Ha Noi: $100
Train to Shenzhen, China: $250
Visit Tommy (3-5 days): cost unknown
Fly from Hong Kong to Bangkok: $800
Visit Lyle (1-2 days): cost unknown
Train to Chiang Mai: $100

So, to get the trip that I want for my kids, I have got to come up with about $2000. I know I've got about $1000 coming in from work and freelance jobs. There's no more appropriate weather for yard sales, so that options out and only some of what we have left is sell-able via eBay, but I will have to get on that asap.

As much as I didn't want to sell my furniture, it looks like it may come down to selling everything. I know that it would be worth it, but darn it, I worked really hard to refinish those dressers and table. I don't even know which I'd part with first: the armoire? dresser? kitchen table? The whole thought of it sort of saddens me, so it will be the very last resort to fund our travels. If I sell all the furniture, we really will have nothing when we return.

57 days left.

60 days and just as many things to do

We're down to 60 days left state-side. When we finally got to 100 days, I was so excited; it had seemed so long in coming, but how quickly the next 40 days have passed. It shocked all of us.

Yesterday we got the kids' physicals out of the way, but not without some bumps. Both had to get Hep A shots and vitamin/flouride prescriptions. The doc was nice enough to prescribe a generic malaria pill, as well (just in case we go traipsing into the mosquito-ridden jungle). Unfortunately, we also found out that A. is both significantly underweight and having trouble with her right ear again. So, we'll be heading back to the ENT specialist up on Pill Hill to figure out what's wrong. He also asked her to try to gain at least 5 pounds before leaving. Of course, I could do that in a couple of days, but for A. it will take a little work. The doctor was really great though and discussed her eating habits with him and reasons why she might not eat lunch or dinner (not hungry). He convinced her that she would need to eat 3 meals a day, every day, in order to get "fattened up" for our travels.

Paid in full!

I spent Friday morning toting around nearly $3000 in my backpack, including all that change we counted a week or so ago. It was heavy and I was glad when I finally was able to make it to the bank and get it wired off to GVN in New Zealand. It went through this morning, so we are officially paid in full for our time in Viet Nam. I'd like to stay on another month or so to do some sightseeing (versus working/volunteering) in VN, then, hopefully, we'll take the train into China before heading over to Thailand to start work at the school there. It's actually starting to come together, bit by bit.

Today is a catch-up day: finishing some sewing jobs, making doctor's appointments for the kids' physicals and immunizations, more homework as always and a bit of cleaning (after a weekend with pint-sized visitors nearly the entire time). We have only 9 weeks from tomorrow and I know that I can basically kiss off about three of those due to holidays and birthdays. Much to do.

The reality of just how much I have to do is a bit overwhelming, but on a subconscious level. I notice that my headaches are more often and my neck and back have been pinching nerves with little relief (despite my best efforts to reduce the muscle spasms). I may be living on Exedrin soon, but trying to avoid it for as long as possible.

Oh! We finally found a tutor, or, at least, it seems that way. We are supposed to meet up on Wednesday with one of the leaders of the Vietnamese Student Association at P.S.U. Why didn't I think to look for a student group until now?! Hopefully that will help our pronunciation skills because, boy, do we need the help!

A little change in the world

We've got an old water bottle that we hid away this summer, plunking in change whenever we had it. I dropped in bits of cash from various projects and the kids donated some of their own savings (A. stuck in $10 and kept only $2 for herself). Money from returning cans went in there. Little by little it was stashed away. We finally got around to counting it a few days ago and to our surprise, we'd manage to tuck nearly $400 into that jar. It's been a great lesson for all of us... a little savings (that doesn't even hurt at the time) can really add up.

all dressed up with plenty of places to go

Last night was the rehearsal dinner and I got to get all gussied up for it. Then I hung out for a bit at a birthday party with K and our friend, G, who was all dolled up, too! The wedding of K's brother is this afternoon which should provide plenty of opportunity to witness love and emotional excess in action. Oh, I love people in love!

Viet Nam?

This fellow is why I chose Viet Nam for our first excursion abroad (he lives there) and why I've been absent for a few days (he's visiting PDX for a week). I've been happy as a clam to hang out with my 'bestest friend' again for just a bit.

Funny thing is, we'll likely spend more time together this week than we will be able to while I am in his new home country (he'll be working and I'll be volunteering hundreds of miles away). It makes me extra glad he came back to his old country for a visit.

In other news, I found out the cost for the visas ($110 each for 3-month, single-entry visas) and no longer have any excuse to not get them, except lack of nerve and that's the last thing I want to be accused of.