"If you're going to San Francisco..."

People in the 1960s linked arms, swayed together, and sang, "If you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair".

Well, I am currently in San Francisco (waiting to fly to Hong Kong) and the flowers in my hair are wilting because of my intense travel experiences.  

Let me just say that I knew China was going to be an adventure; but, I had no idea that the excitement would begin before I left Kansas City!  Goodness gracious!

Here is the Story of Whitney Heins – A Series of Unfortunate Travel Events:

Flight 1:  American Airlines Flight from Kansas City to Chicago – Re-routed due to severe weather (75 minutes late)

Flight 2:  From Chicago to San Francisco – Missed the original flight due to Flight 1 delay. (directed to United Airlines for stand-by flight)

Flight 3:  United Flight from Chicago to San Francisco – After boarding the flight, the crew discovers an oil light on in the left engine.  Try to fix it, but to no avail.  Have to switch planes.  The new plane was late arriving.  Delayed for over two hours.

Flight 4:  From San Francisco to Hong Kong – Ran through the airport and missed the flight by ten minutes.

Now, I am waiting in the San Francisco airport for 24 hours before I fly to Hong Kong.  My upcoming flights have stayed the same, just one day later.  (It has been really great - I've gotten to read and surf the web and sleep).

Even though it sounds disastrous, traveling has been a great learning experience.  This is my first lesson in the flexibility necessary to live and work in a foreign country.  As made evident in my “lists” blog post, I love organization, efficiency, and productivity.  Unfortunately, this is not a reality for the next two years.  My daily activities can no longer fit into my specific itinerary, and not everyone will be on my time schedule.  Instead, I need to learn to adapt and be flexible.  (Of course, this is easier said than done – especially when I am stuck waiting in line somewhere, haha).

In the meantime, I’m hoping the rest of my traveling will go smoothly.  Before we know it, I’ll be in China.  Looking forward to writing my next blog post when I will be comfortably situated in Kunming, with fresh flowers in my hair!  Talk to you soon!

One Week!

Friends: 

My departure date is officially ONE WEEK AWAY!  It is hard to believe that after so many months of planning, preparation, and fundraising (we started in February), the time is finally here.  I am thrilled about the opportunities that lie ahead, and I am so excited to discover what life is like in China. 

Although the fear of the unknown is intimidating, I find confidence and peace in the one thing that will never change – the Alpha and Omega.  I found this quote a few weeks ago that really struck a cord:  “We cannot discover new oceans unless we have the courage to lose sight of the shore.”

Please think of me and ask that He would give me courage as I leave Missouri and discover “A Whole New World,” as quoted on Aladdin.  : )

Here is a brief outline of my travel plans:

Wednesday, August 19^th

4 pm – Depart KCI to Chicago

7 pm – Chicago to San Francisco

 

Thursday, August 20^th

1am – San Francisco to Hong Kong  (14 hour flight, and I gain 13 hours with the time change)

 

Friday, August 21^st

12pm – Hong Kong to Kunming

2:30pm – ARRIVE in KUNMING!!

Add it to the List

I’ve always loved lists.  To Do Lists, grocery lists, and shopping lists clutter my desk and planner.  As much as I previously loved lists though, my opinion has drastically changed as I have been preparing for China.  No list can compare to the China To Do List I’ve had for the summer.  Seriously, I think at one point it was longer than Santa’s naughty or nice list. 

Luckily, with the help of my darling sisters, we have crossed things off the list – one by one.  Applying for my Chinese Visa – check! …. Creating my newsletter - check! …. Spending quality time with family and friends – check!  One key component is not checked off the China To Do List however --- packing.  (yes, just saying that dreaded word makes my heart race!)

Let’s just say that p-a-c-k-ing for two years has brought about more challenges than I ever could have imagined!  My friends can attest, I am the world’s WORST over packer.  In my past life, I would pack two suitcases for a weekend trip.  Perhaps it is because I don’t like making pressure-filled decisions about what to wear, or maybe it is because I would always rather be “safe than sorry” when deciding what shoes to bring.  Regardless, every time I pack, a dark cloud seems to take over my life…. Yes, this may be a bit dramatic.  But people, I really dislike packing!

Interestingly enough, my China packing is not difficult in terms of what clothes to take.  A few shirts, jeans, a pair of khakis, etc are all I will really need.  And as far as shoes, I have limited myself to 5 pair (tennis shoes, hiking boots, hiking sandals, loafers, and a pair of black pumps for good measure).  My China experience is about downsizing and helping others that are less fortunate, not about being fashionable.

The problem with packing is that I want to take every holiday decoration I can find!  I want to take my Christmas nativity scene, my favorite fake Halloween jack-o-lantern, and my Easter basket.  Not to mention how badly I want to bring all of my Christmas ornaments and Mizzou decorations!  And as much as I want it to, my Christmas tree will NOT fit in to my suitcase.   (See picture).

As you can imagine, the next few weeks are sure to be interesting as I finalize my China To Do List and continue to pack.  Hopefully, I will be able to discern what I will really need in China, and I will be able to part from all of my decorations.  If not, I am excited to receive your care packages containing everything that won’t fit in my two 50-lb suitcases!  Wish me luck as I finish packing!