Stressers: 15 Days to Go.

This is the point in time of the countdown where everyone is trying to get ahold of last minute preparations. I have made a list of what I'm packing in my suitcase, my carry on and what still needs to be bought. Not to mention there are things that need to be attended to, such as: flight confirmations, money exchanges, getting a moneybelt and making sure all plans are "Go."

In all reality, the thought that there are simply 15 days left scares whatever is in me out and makes my brain feel like jell-o. I feel as if things are coming too soon, maybe I think to pack things and then unpack just to make sure I have it all, rather than such hypothetical lists.

Thankfully by the grace of God, money is no longer an issue. The issues that lay at hand are the post-office and how long it will take things that I have ordered for the trip to come in. These things were ordered last minute yet are extremely important. One of these things being my jacket for the trip and the most important being my Visa so I will have emergency money funds... the days are passing and the anxiety is growing. Back to the money issue, the Visa took off a lot of stress of "will I have enough? What happens when Kezia and I are on our own - what happens if there is a situation where I need more than I have..." that is all gone. There is very little stress directed towards money issues, and lately the jobs have been pouring in and so has the money. I just wish it didn't require me pouring out so much energy - but oh well, I guess it builds character. Also with money, my debit card has been missing and the only good thing about that is that I cannot spend money. Unfortunately, it has my gas money on there and I continue to run my vehicle on empty until the fuel pump decides to give out and I will be at the mercy of family and friends to drive me around. (We're hoping that won't be the case).

Many of my friends and family have come down with sicknesses such as strept throat, bronchidus and common flu's and colds. Me, just recently coming down with a head cold that makes me constantly dizzy worries me about our trip. It seems to be a cycle and if you're healthy, you'll get it within a week and wait your turn until a few weeks later where you'll get it again. I'm just praying this won't be an issue on our trip because I'm not wanting to be sick there. More-so, I'm almost willing to isolate whoever is sick for the good of, well, myself and my experiences. I guess I'm kidding, but we'll see when we get there =b

Thanks for staying with me guys, this will be more interesting
I'm sure once I get to Europe and it will be less about
preparations and more about what is happening and what
we're seeing. I'm quite excited, and hopefully you guys are
too to follow me around (cyberly) as I travel across Europe.

Beaucoup d'amour et Gros Bisous!
-Emily

Payment Countdown:

Today I've been working my butt off, and the pay-off? : I'm exhausted. I cleaned from 10am-3pm, and then I've been babysitting from 4:30pm-now (which will most likely end at about 11:30pm/12am). It's been a long night that consists of being peed on by babies and fighting a cat to clean the sink. Honestly, not what I was expecting in a day. The good news? Money.
---
$60.oo for cleaning, which was excellent. That should pay off the remaining money for the flights, and then I just need to pay for the hotel for another night and I should be good. Then I can actually start saving for spending money. =D

With only 33 days left (according to the tour company's website), that's only 4 weeks and a bit to find money. I'm doubting how I'll find enough. I was thinking that the Holiday Pay was a fixed amount, but in reality it's 4% of what I made in 2007, and since I didn't work very much due to my back injury in June - I'm probably getting next to nothing. Hmm, I'm going to have to find a new way to get money - just hopefully in time.

Gros Bisous!

I'm pretty sure I'm a slave with 10-cent pay...

I know the last post said that I was done my flight payments - apparently that was Euros and thus, I need to pay another $60.oo or so - I'm not sure. I basically surrendered my wallet and I will never see that money again as long as I shall live. I also have to pay to stay another night in Budapest since our flight is the next day (I'm sure I've told you this before... hmm) and there are just so many extra fees, I can't handle it. I know I'm going to Europe with less than $50.oo Canadian. Hopefully enough for food? Probably not though. //sigh. Can you say, "Celebrity Crash Diet?" I sure can. -.-

As of now, I'm working quite a few jobs until I leave. Shall we name them?:
1. Safeway (or Slave-way, whichever you prefer)
2. Babysitting for family #1
3. Babysitting for family #2
4. Pet Sitting
5. Cleaning dad's friend's house once a week
6. Washing friend's Car
7. Possibly doing friend's laundry

Although I'm exhausted because sometimes it happens to be 3 jobs in one day, it's worth it? Or so I'm told. I just don't want to work, I want to see the money. I end up driving everywhere to get to these jobs that I end up having to spend the money on gas = not worth it. I'll figure it out I guess, I just wish things could finally be over and paid for, doesn't that sound reasonable?

Anyways, I'm off to bed, I need all the sleep I can get!
Wish me luck?
Gros Bisous!

Final Payments

There's 36 days left, just a little over a month and I'm getting quite excited. I've realized that I need to purchase a bathing suit and a few more clothes before I go. All in all, I'm quite excited, but still really nervous. There are so many connector flights and issues that it's easy to get lost - or lose our luggage, (I'm more worried about losing my nice clothes, but hey, aren't we all?)

Today I paid off my flights. Yes!
Unfortunately, we are leaving on March 25th to Basel - and our group leaves on March 24th.
Anyone realize what the problem is?
Kezia and I now have to buy a room to stay in over night,
and then a cab to the airport. I was happy that I was finally
finished paying for Europe and could start saving - apparently not. =\

Anyways, with 36 days left, I'm hoping for the follow:
- Money from friends for my birthday (and the things I need to buy, so I don't have to buy them)
- Money from family for my birthday = $90.oo approx
- Money from grandparents for my birthday = $50.oo approx (possibly, not likely)
- Money (extra?) from my parents for my birthday = $100.oo
- Holiday pay = $300.oo approx
- More work hours and babysitting gigs. = >$200.oo

I want to hopefully bring at least $500 Canadian. But we'll see.
Things are hectic, but I have more details for later.
Gros Bisous!

38 Days and Panicking

There are 38 days, can you believe it? 38 days! I've been working non-stop trying to save money. Let me update you on the saving/payment stats:
Money needed for remaining flights: $170-ish
Money saved for flights: $30

Money wanted in total for spending (at least; Canadian): $500
Money saved: $0

I have a few things to do as well:
1. Figure out currency amounts needed for each country
2. Find my passport and birth certificate
3. Get a backpack for laptop and carry-ons
4. Insure Maverick
5. Get a suitcase for trip
6. Buy new pants/tank tops/tee's etc for trip (plus boots)
7. Get a new power converter
8. Finish this list...

Honestly, there is so much going on. I think I'm more panicking because I can't
figure out what's going on - I can't figure out all that I need to do. Maybe I should
do it one at a time? Maybe... I procrastinate and then no sleep sets in and nothing
gets done. Let's all take time to pray for Emily, shall we?
Gros Bisous à tout!

40 Days... (!)

There are only 40 days left until we (my group and of course Kezia) leave for Europe. The plan is to go: Germany - Czech Republic - Poland - Prague, then Kezia and I will head to Basel, Switzerland and head to Thann, France. After that, we have to fly to London, England to fly back home to Vancouver.

Right now it's all about "What to bring," "what you need," "what to make sure you've done before you leave," etc. I'm so stoked, but more especially to go to France.

Recently I've been talking to a girl from France named Delphine. Her parents work with my uncle, and my aunt introduced us. She is quite unbelievable. It's amazing to meet someone who is just like you, but from another country and who speaks another language. It's amazing. Her and I have a lot to catch up on when I arrive in France, but either or - we're bound to have a ton of fun around France.

(Delphine et son copain! Ne sont-ils pas mignons? =D)