New Zealand-bound

Where will I be this Thanksgiving Day?

Um, New Zealand? Yes, that's right.  For a conference.

I was notified today that my proposal (which is related to the grant I got, the research assistant I have working for me this summer, the book I'm writing, and the graduate seminar I'm teaching in the fall) was accepted.

Yes, this is good news in my itty-bitty corner of my professional universe. Things are gelling and coming together.

Practically speaking, however, it's kind of a frightmare:

• I'll probably get some travel money but not a lot (especially not with California's budget cuts)
• I'll have to make up the difference in costs myself, and gee, it's not as if I make an exotic salary (allow me to snort at the mere idea)
• It's one damn long trip between the west coast of the United States and New Zealand, so a surgical strike isn't possible, even if it were professionally acceptable in this case (which it's not)
• It occurs at the end of fall semester --  not good timing

Um, plus I'm kind of intimidated by the folks who are going to be there.  I have a lot of reading, research, and writing to do between now and then before I can feel adequate in that company and on my topic, and I already have butterflies in my stomach.

Six months from now -- I guess I can do it.

The conference is being held at a university where I think there are some papers that I  need to look at, so that's one good thing (and part of the reason I applied to the conference).  After all, if any of my research means that I have to go to New Zealand to look at documents, this would be the time to do that, obviously.

Ack. Honestly, I feel very nervous. Time to pull a Scarlett O'Hara and think about it all tomorrow.

Comments

[Ann]

Where in New Zealand will you be going?

I spent just over two weeks travelling through New Zealand before I started my undergrad. Loved it. The people were amazing, the country is beautiful and I saw every single sheep (or so it seemed!)

I'd love to hear how you make out with the flight. I would like to go visit my Mom and one leg of the flight is as long as yours will be to New Zealand. I stress about that and will follow your trip with great interest.

Sounds like a great opportunity

[Deluzy]

I'll be in Dunedin, with perhaps a side trip to Christchurch for research, though I have yet to figure out that piece of it.

Everyone says it's beautiful and that the folks there are very hospitable and kind.

The flight. I just don't *even* want to think about how long it is. 20+ hours, right? From a DS perspective, I think I'll probably be okay (in the sense that my innards tend to shut down a bit when I travel) -- but then, of course, one never knows with the DS.

Do you have any words of advice for finding a decent price for tickets from North America to that part of the world? A particular airline? Any insights to share? (I just did a down-and-dirty search right now and choked over an $1,800 estimate for November.)

[*S*]

Major congrats on getting accepted!!! For what it's worth, flights from LA are usually a bit cheaper. Or you might try the cheapy way out and see if you can get a job interview for that time. NZ is hiring a lot of educators and if you can swing it, it makes the trip a lot more manageable.

*S*

[Ann]

From LA it should only be about a 14 - 15 hour flight but that will likely take you to Auckland. From there it's a short flight down to Dunedin.

Take the opportunity to go to Christchurch - if you enjoy sailing there are sailboats that will take you out... just stunning.

Another thought... you can take a bus from Auckland down to the South Island... it makes for a longer trip but you see much more of the country.

In terms of flights - LA is the way to go. November is coming into peak period because it's getting warmer so the price you got wasn't a bad one.

I know that Qantas, New Zealand Airways both fly out of LA. If I remember correctly leaving at around 11.30pm.

If I see anything cheaper I'll let you know

A.