Lan’s blog

Finally got a decent night of sleep last night--8 hours and i don't think i even rolled over!

woke up around 9am, chatted on my friend's laptop for a bit, cleaned up around the house, took a shower, and packed up.

headed down to the train station for a 7-hour ride to krakow. my train anxiety was unfounded. it was easy, people were nice, and no real dangers. i even met a hostel-owner on the train.

when i got to the krakow train station, i got money from the atm and bought my train ticket to bratislava on thursday. i opted against taking the night train because...well...i don't feel comfortable taking a night train on my own. so 7am thursday morning, i have have a 6-hour ride to bratislava with one transfer and 24-hours to spend in bratislava before making my way to vienna.

leaving the train station, there was a huge tented area where locals were watching the croatia-poland match...thankfully croatia won but i am sad i missed my usual soccer action for the night. i tried to buy a ticket but they wanted exact change, which i was not able to get from the atm, of course. so...i hopped onto my train without paying and luckily nobody noticed. got off at my stop, asked a local to help me read the map and orient myself, and found my way.

i lucked out. in my 4-bed room at the hostel, i'm the only inhabitant for the night. yesssss!!!!

I spent a long time at Border's this morning trying to figure out what I would be reading on vacation. This is always a tricky task because there are many things to consider: 1) It can't be too heavy because I don't want to lug it around everywhere 2) It has to be long enough to last because I HATE being without reading material on vacation. Thus, no junky trades from the airport...those only last a plane ride. So, for Costa Rica and Belize next week, I'll probably take the following:

The History of Love: A Novel

Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith

The Idiot (Modern Library Classics)

I can abandon the books when I'm done reading them. We aren't moving around THAT much so I can afford to carry more books than usual. For my six-week European trip:

The Brothers Karamazov

Foucault's Pendulum

That should for sure last me at least 2-3 weeks. I'll probably have my friend bring me something when he arrives two weeks later...we'll see. Both books are pretty long.

I'd considered bringing the unabridged version of the Count of Monte Cristo (one of my favorite books ever)...but its too heavy to lug around and my copy isn't one I want to leave behind anywhere.

J owed me some money for bills and stuff. So..two whiskeys into our Friday afternoon he paid me back with a silver 80 gb iPod Classic. My second generation 20 gb iPod will soon go to its new home at my cousins' restaurant, Zadin, in the Castro.

I was super tired after running a 20k trail race Saturday morning, so I spent the afternoon in bed...napping...and reorganizing all of my iTunes. I made sure all my music was in the appropriate categories, downloaded as many album covers as I could, loaded some pictures onto it...the iPod has evolved nicely over the last four years. And...I've got 60gb more space AND its lighter. This will be great on my upcoming vacations. I just need to get a protective case for it. Any ideas?

My European itinerary as it currently stands:

Land in Prague, Czech Republic on June 12 > Salzburg, Austria > Vienna, Austria > Bratislava, Slovenia > Budapest, Hungary > Croatia (2 weeks) > Montenegro > Greece (10 days) ...come home July 23. I'm going to be VERY dark by the time I get back.

Gonna get my base coat in Costa Rica & Belize (leaving in 3 weeks! YAY!)

Currently listening to:

Oracular Spectacular

The previous Saturday, I had a conference call with my girlfriends to plan our 30th birthday trip to Belize. To get in the mood, I put on my bikini top before dialing in.

This past Saturday, I was laying in the sun with my Lonely Planet Guide to Eastern Europe. Reading about Croatia's beaches put me in the mood for a bikini (plus it was ridiculously warm this weekend). I left it on when I went to a friend's housewarming.

Well, today I have to head back to court. To distract me from the drudgery of court all day, I have my bikini top on once again. I'll be reading about the Greek isles until (rather, if) I am called for questioning. I need to pick up some more bikinis today.

It is another BEAUTIFUL day in SF. I can't wait for my vacations.

I made Premier status on United last year, but I didn't notice until Friday. I don't think I'll be flying much more for business during my last three months here though...maybe once to Chicago and once to Seattle...and then I'm off!

I have two options:

Czech > Austria > Hungary > Croatia > Cairo > Tanzania or:

Czech > Austria > Hungary > Croatia > Greece > Turkey

I'm leaning towards the second agenda since flights to Tanzania are cost prohibitive.

Here's one for the ladies:  What's in your handbag right now? 
Submitted by Kadeeae.

I like lists.

• wallet w/credit cards & such
• chapstick, lip gloss, and lip stick (prepared for all occasions!)
• ziploc bag (to keep expense receipts when I travel so I don't lose them and they don't fill up my wallet)
• sephora compact mirror
• hair bands (I should chuck these since unless I want to put my hair up like Pebbles)
• latest issue of the Economist...I hate waiting around with nothing to do.
• Orbit cinnamon gum
• BCBG sunglasses in case
• Blackjack cell phone
• handsfree set for the Blackjack
• gym pass
• pen
• digital camera
• pocket planner
• lavender hand lotion (my hands get really dry)
• 2 CDs from Ed

No wonder my purse is so heavy right now!

I hope its worth it.

I submitted my passport for renewal on Dec 27. I got it back yesterday, Jan 7. I guess they're over those huge delays.

Ba Ngoai

She was awesome.