Finally... It's Here!

Finally, it's here - shit's getting real!

After discussions at work since before Thanksgiving, yesterday it was finally confirmed that I am expected on-site in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, January 22nd.  Wowww-eee!

It's hard to sort out all the emotions.  I'm super excited by the work opportunity, it seems like a fantastic project, the little I know about it so far.*  At the same time, while I've been in background-planning mode now for almost 2 months, it wasn't certain when I'd actually get to go.  To be honest that itself has been challenging, the kind of no-man's land of not knowing. 

But as is so often the case in these situations, client-based decisions happen very quickly and at the last minute.  And once the decision is made - it's time to execute - pronto!  Having this finally confirmed is both exhilarating and slightly terrifying.  Shit is, indeed, getting real.

The irony is that I still don't have my Work Visa ready - it should be approved any day now - and I can't book my travel or hotel until I get that settled.  Good thing the company's paying for the last minute flight!

I did a bit of research on flights already though, and it appears that the trip from Pittsburgh to Kuala Lumpur will take roughly 26-28 hours total, with 2 layovers, one US-based, and one somewhere else.  Given that, I'm hoping to be able to book a flight for Thursday, 1/18.  With a 13-hour time difference (KL is GMT +8, while Pittsburgh is GMT -5), that would be me in sometime on Friday.  Then having the weekend to check in, unpack, and sleep (not in that order!), I should be at least mostly human and bushy-tailed to report to work bright and early on Monday.

The list to-do items seems simultaneously eminently doable and incredibly daunting.  To be honest, corporate support in terms of FAQs, answering logistical questions, or general "what should I be thinking about?!" has been pretty spotty.  Thankfully, my manager on this project (who in actuality is my uber-uber boss) has been really good in responding to things like - should I update my phone plan or wait to get a local SIM card? (the latter);  when the time comes, should I book a 1-way flight? (yes); should I book all 6 months at the hotel now?  (no - they'll be looking to arrange some sort of extended accommodation, so just book for 2 weeks now).

For other things, thankfully there is Google!  I learned today not only that Malaysia uses 240 V electricity (vs. US's 120), but that both my laptop and cell phone apparently are built to use either one.  I may still need to get a converter for any other electronics I bring - will need to check the plugs.  But at least for the initial needs I should be good to go.

Another useful tip (not Google-related) - those plastic storage bags where you vacuum the air out?  Holy moly you can pack a lot of clothes into one of those.  Score for plastic technology, and large suitcases.  And, as the weather in Malaysia is pretty much constant year-round with daily humid highs of 90 and lows of 75ish, I won't need any variability in clothing.

The first round of packing is done (clothes selection), and now there's lots of piles of stuff getting put aside as well.  To-do wise, haircut has been scheduled, landlord has been notified to contact Orny and not me for anything that may be needed with the apartment, at least one goodbye dinner with friends has been scheduled, full packing list has been printed, last-minute items from Amazon Prime have been ordered, KL-specific and expat blog review had begun, and a list of phone calls to make on Monday (bank, credit cards, etc.) are planned.

At the same time, there's a million household things that need doing, I'll need to go into the office on Monday (I often work from home) to get my computer fixed - it decided to uninstall all audio somehow - and figure out how to close out my remaining current work projects... and think of all the things I haven't thought of yet to prepare for the trip.

But, all in all, I'm doing pretty well, considering the scope of the upcoming changes.  I'll miss my boys (human and feline), family and friends like crazy, but the new adventures - and interesting work and amazing food - should make up for it.

*I won't be disclosing much about any work specifics, for obvious reasons, but will allude to things in generalities to provide a fuller picture of my experience - since without my job there wouldn't be any KL life adventure for me!