Preparation prior to Beijing Workshop

Just a few more days to go before I hop onto the plane to Beijing for a workshop.

As I seldom travel alone, the preparation and packing for this trip is really driving me crazy. I need a formal dress for the Opening Ceremony. Am I suppose to wear a cheongsam? I always dress in blouse and pants in my office. Where am I going to find a formal dress? How to keep warm in a dress? Bring a shawl?

The weather pattern in Beijing is just like the unpredictable stocks and shares. Since the first snow fell on 1st Nov, the temperatures have risen a lot. Should I pack my thick winter wear? Maybe bring a normal jacket too in case the weather did not turn out to be that cold. What about the thermal wear?

What about another pair of shoes in case the pair I always wear give me troubles? I recalled during a holiday in New Zealand, the sole of my shoes gave away. Instead of holidaying, J and I were busy hunting for a shoe shop. I did not find a pair of shoes suitable for my size. In the end, I bought the smallest size but still too big for me. Once I reached home, I immediately dumped that pair into the bin. From then onwards, I will always bring an extra pair. Even a pair of home slippers is better than nothing.

Then my digi camera plus its charger, my mobile plus its charger, my heavy laptop plus thumb drives etc. I have been so tempted to buy a lightweigh and trendy net book. But look at the price, it is at least $500 and what am I going to do with it after this working trip? At home, there are already 2 PCs and a laptop; more than enough for everybody in my family. So this net book will soon be left in the dark store room. Ok, I can always save this money for future usage.

Plus goodies/souvenirs for colleagues and family members, I have no choice but to bring a big luggage. This is what I hate most as I always prefer to travel light. I have only 2 hands but I will be bringing 3 things - a laptop, a luggage and a haversack.

My presentation for this workshop? Yes, a few slides of presentation have taken me days to prepare. I must admit it is not of the highest quality as it was done in a rush with lots of cut and paste. I start to wonder if I should drop out from this workshop as I am the only representative from home. But it is really too late as the air tickets have been bought and paid, the hotel accommodations have been arranged too.

Personally, I am not really in the right mood for this trip. Isa's year-end exam results were quite disappointing despite she has worked hard. Maybe not hard enough but how hard is considered enough? Now we have to consider carefully if she should take up Higher Chinese for the next year.

Also, J's France trip is yet to be confirmed and it has to be completed before our year-end holidays. The last thing I want is after he touches down from France, we are hopping on the plane to Japan the next day!