Month: April 2016

I awoke early, about 5:00 am, with thoughts of how to deal with an issue with my trial lecture. So, I made some tea and an extra thermos and dove into writing. It was a productive morning, such that I came downstairs for breakfast at about 8:30 and was in good spirits when joining Rebecca and Vidal at the table.

A Norwegian breakfast is quite different than my normal fare. Rebecca let me take a picture, but later commented how it is interesting that I wanted to take a picture of a normal breakfast. The red pepper on cheese and bread was unique to me. She said that I’m missing the tarragon mayonnaise that she just brought back from Taize’, France.

I’ll have to finish the post tomorrow, so come back and hear about the atheist confirmation, beautiful Norwegian bunads (traditional dress), and an evening of laughter.

With blessings,

Beth

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Intercultural stuff is fascinating! You probably wonder about the things I’m reading (maybe not), but if you are, here was a moving proverb from today (pun intended).

“Wanva Mmimba ndiye atsekula chitseko” [Chewa, Malawi — “The one with diarrhoea opens the door” meaning the one with a problem goes to seek help.] (In the commentary notes on Ruth by Isabel Apawo Phiri in the Africa Bible Commentary, p. 322).

Unfortunately, I haven’t run into African proverbs on jet lag. The one from Tanzania that may relate is, “Haraka haraka haina baraka,” which is translated, “Hurry hurry and there is no blessing.” In the USA, we might say, “Haste makes waste,” but it is more than just rushing through a project, because it Tanzania it seems to shape the worldview and resulting slower pace (perhaps a more human pace).

My morning was dizzying. Sometimes jet lag’s lack of sleep messes up my sense of balance. So, I didn’t take the bus to school and chose to work from home. It meant a couple naps, but I did get some writing done.

I paused in the afternoon to take a walk just as the winds picked up and pushed along some light rain. So, it was a short walk. But being so close to the North Sea, the sunshine returned a bit later in the day.

Vidal cooked Ethiopian tonight. The spice aroma filled the house. Yum. We had a fun dinner time conversation, as Rebecca had returned from her conference on the promise of monsters at the University of Stavanger (yes, monster theory). Speakers could sign up for blobs to do some blobbing in their sessions!

Another newsworthy event was Vidar in the news.

You heard it first from me yesterday!

So, only one picture today, as most of the rest was just me on my laptop or in my bed.

With blessings,

Beth

Up: The landmark of the day is getting a copy of my printed PhD dissertation.

Then I saw this:

Wow! Colleagues have been wonderful and encouraging. My advisor is pleased that my dissertation is the first one under the new merged school named (VID Specialized University). He thinks that an Old Testament Pentateuch–the beginning of the Bible–is a good beginning for the dissertation series. And then the intercultural focus (I believe the I of the acronym VID relates to the international/intercultural focus) is a great positioning of the special focus of this institution.

Yes, I took the bus to my school this morning and met with my adviser, Knut. The UP is the book, the DOWN is the discussion of the direction of my trial lecture as Knut is helping develop it to have stronger outcomes. It just means that I have more work to do than I thought, and my brain is jet lag foggy. Its stressing me a bit.

I had a nice visit with my friend, Marta, mid-day and did a bit more work until my brain was twice as thick and three times as heavy as normal. So, I walked down to downtown passing through Gamle Stavanger, the old part of town, which was almost demolished in the 1970’s because it’s aesthetic was not appreciated!

I picked up some postcards at my favorite tourist store and was greeted by the salesperson who recognizes me. And I headed down the road.

This picture was taken on the way to the Fretex thrift store to get a black leather belt, as I realized I forgot to pack one. This is a good place to find Norwegian sweaters for a great price, but I’m not shopping for any more. I did get one I like and wear for only $30 on one of my first trips here.

I passed the Stavanger Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Norway, on the way to the bus.

I think I nodded off on the bus ride home but didn’t miss my stop. The rest of the day was trying to progress on this trial lecture with my let lag brain, with a couple breaks for tea, dinner, and some emails and a couple postings, including this blog.

I would appreciate your prayers as I’m a bit concerned that I’m not going to have enough clear-head-space time to develop this trial lecture well. I think I need to go to sleep now and hope my brain is a bit more normal tomorrow.

With blessings in spite of my thick head,

Beth

You know who your true friends are; they take you to and pick you up from the airport! Thanks Peter for Tuesday’s sendoff.

I just was cleared for the Global Entry pass, which means that I was able to go through the Premium line for TSA pre-check. Boy, is that slick! Take things out of pockets and heavy jackets off, but otherwise, no messing with laptops, the zip lock back of liquids, or futzing with shoes. I didn’t get the benefit of my new carbon-fiber travel belt that doesn’t need to be taken off because there is no metal! I was through the line in perhaps 3 maybe 4 minutes! Then, I had an existential crisis; would Gandhi do Global Entry and pursue privileges? Maybe I’ll have to take my Gandhi poster off my wall in shame (Oh that’s right, it already came down for packing. Perhaps an omen!)

The plane was half full in the back on the way to Amsterdam, so that means I had two seats to myself. It means a little more relaxation and a little more room, but I did wonder if contortionists sleep better on planes! I did get a bit of sleep, but I also watched the documentary “He Named Me Malala.” Oh, I my heart resonated with the advocacy for girls education. Anyone who knows of the powerful stories of the MaaSAE Girls School is passionate about girls education. My years there as a volunteer teacher transformed my life–including starting the path of my PhD journey.

It was a beautiful flight out with mostly sunny weather. Have you ever seen the wind farms from the sky?

I always love watching the flight into Amsterdam, because everything seems so neat and tidy. This time it was magnified by the colors of tulips in the fields. The connection to the next flight was tight, but I made it.

My seatmate inflight to Stavanger was very quite. She did say thanks when I offered her a piece of gum for the ascent, but that didn’t stimulate any more conversation, so I continued to read my book (Fernando Segovia’s Decolonizing Biblical Studies). He’s on my defense committee. After reading more of him, I realize what a Providential match he is for my defense (also called a “disputation”!!!).

Rebecca, my former landlord and current PhD coordinator, picked me up from the airport. I feel so blessed to have two offers for pick up and three offers for housing while I’m here. Rebecca’s was the first invitation, and I’m actually back at the home I stayed in for 6 months last year.

So, it it is pretty comfortable. I know where the towels are and where the things are in the kitchen, etc. I’m staying in the guest room, which housed our guests when we lived here: my sister Elenn, niece Erin, and friend Scott (a former co-worker of Norwegian heritage who has family in the area).

I had a cup of tea with Rebecca, as we talked about preparations for the defense. Then I went for a long walk to do some errands and get out to beat the jet lag. I had to get cash from my bank and found out that it moved. So I checked with the tourist office to find out its new location.

I bought a 7-day bus pass. I went to the post office and mailed my Norwegian tax form (so simple) to confirm the taxes I paid on my research fellowship, and I bought some post card stamps. I bought a voucher to put money on my Norwegian SIM card (a pay-as-you-go plan). My Norwegian SIM card is still valid after 9.5 months, but my Tanzanian SIM card was cancelled before the 8 month mark. Don’t tell Anya, but I bought her some of her favorite goodies, including cola-flavored jello! I did stop by a grocery store to pick up a few things. No problem with my ATM card, even after no activity for 9.5 months. (Norway is not quite cashless but most purchases are done with a debit card with chip and PIN).

It is great to be back. I know my way around (except for the bank). At one point, I was walking down the sidewalk with a silly grin. (That’s totally not Norwegian!)

I kept walking most of the afternoon.

There is a great hill behind this house with a view of downtown Sandnes, the Gandsfjord, and way up north to the snow covered mountains!

The sun was shining, so I tried to get as much sun on my skin to help with resetting the circadian rhythm. It was warm enough to be in short-sleeves in the sunshine–though I did just walk up the hill.

I had dinner with Rebecca and her husband Vidar. Their daughter suggested a quintessential Norwegian meal of salmon, boiled potatoes with sour cream, and cucumber salad. But then their daughter wasn’t able to join us. We had a great meal and talked about books we’ve read and immigration issues. They shared their stories from their time getting to the Berkeley, CA, area last year (we had them over to my in-laws condo in the Monterrey Bay for a day too) and some complications they faced. So, immigration can be complex at times.

So, I’m safely here, and with a lot of walking, I made it to 7:00 pm the first night. Let’s see when I wake up!

Travel tip: When putting tubes into your 1-liter zip lock bag, trim the corners. The rounded edges are less likely to poke holes or damage your plastic bag.

With blessings,

Beth

We joined friends on Friday night and went to Newport High School’s presentation of Les Misérables. Anya had friends in the cast and crew. For a high school production, they did very well with some very strong performances and just a few set glitches on their opening night. This is such a powerful story of the struggles and yearnings of life with one of the most amazing representations of redemption, such that, even a high school rendition can move me to tears.

Anya asked for homemade biscuits for Saturday breakfast. I obliged.

We had a great breakfast together. We laughed so much that I think I’ll have to make biscuits more often!

I dropped Anya at the invitational track meet in the morning. As it is an invitational, everyone is responsible for their own transportation. Anya was one of 3 pole vaulters on her track team who have cleared the required minimum height (plus one more who is recovering from a gymnastics injury). I returned at 12:30 pm for the scheduled 1:00 pm girls pole vaulting which didn’t start until 3:45 pm! I read some African women’s hermeneutics as the hours passed. Fortunately, the weather was better than what was forecasted.

It was a disappointing event for Anya. Due to the late start and over 34 girls vaulting, they started at Anya’s personal record without an opportunity to do much warm up with so many competitors. But at least she had an opportunity to compete amidst the excitement of an invitational. (There were over 340 boys running the 1600 meters divided into 7 heats!)

Since my work permit won’t be looked at until October, I have to figure out what to do with my beginning steps for packing. Previously, I was going to do most of the packing in May for a June 1 crate shipment, in order to arrive on August 1 (or so). So, I put a blue tape guide in the corner of the living room to mark the size of the shipping crate. But now, I’m wondering if I start to put things back and live with them for another couple months!

I ordered the milk crates for shipping books. Then I have a hit-the-ground-running bookshelf too, despite the college dorm room motif.

The good news is that as long as Anya is in the country–regardless of the visa she’s on–she can attend school. So, she has two offers to stay a couple months with a host family from future colleagues of mine. What a wonderful community! We still have to figure out if this will work or if it will complicate the transition to a residency permit later.

Sunday mornings for me are often reading the paper with a cup of chai tea and then a long, brisk walk. We have wonderful green belts in our neighborhood. There is a stand of Western Red Ceders (my favorite indigenous tree) close to home, but also the Wewona Park that is so woodsy, it seems like a trail in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains not in the city limits of Bellevue. There’s a few blocks of residential area on the way home, so I get to walk by the panoply of changing spring flowers. Here’s my favorite from this morning.

My days of botany courses at the University of Minnesota come to mind, but columbine isn’t one of the indigenous plants I recall having to memorize the genus and species. I still remember that lilac is syringa vulgaris of the oleaceae family. At one home, the huge lilac bush was so close to the street that the lilac smell was in the air. It is my favorite flower smell.

I met two women from Brundi in church this morning. Its always intriguing to learn a bit of their stories and realize that our paths cross for a moment.

I made Thai pork burgers with a cucumber salad for lunch, which Anya really liked the lime and lemongrass. Then, Anya went to a friends house to study physics, and I took a Sunday afternoon nap. Afterwards, it was time to get serious about packing for Norway, as I leave on Tuesday morning.

I have developed several preparation lists depending upon the continent. So, its time to pack things up and figure out what needs to be done on the last day–tomorrow. I’m not sure what all I’ll need for clothing. I know there will be two events on two different days for the dissertation, so I need two professional outfits. (But in Norway, I won’t be culturally required to wear skirts or dresses! Whoo hoo!) I’m hoping to climb Dalsnuten, which is just over 1000 feet with wonderful views. So, I pack some hiking clothes, including rain pants. The international church worship on Sunday can be casual as well as meeting Knut at my school. I think I’m packing with a few more options than I may need, but I have the space.

The hard part will be figuring out what books to bring to fill the weight limit for my last days of preparation for the trial lecture and defense. I will be able to send some books on to Uppsala, as I have two colleagues coming from Sweden for my defense. (Oh, what bag will I bring to send with the books?) But then, will I need those books for the revisions of the dissertation to prepare it for printing? Ugh!

Off to finish my dissertation Eratta sheet tonight.

With blessings, med vänsignelser (svenska), kwa heri (Kiswahili),

Beth

My Swedish tutorial sessions are typically on Wednesdays. My tutor is a Stockholm native Swedish woman about my age. She also teaches Swedish at the Swedish Club and Rosetta Stone online. I’m really trying to communicate as much as I can in Swedish, which makes it frustrating due to my limited vocabulary and beginning grammar. She is patient with me and graciously challenges me (but is not too keen when I sound like a Norwegian!).

For my homework, I was to prepare five questions, and she would do the same. Then we would have a conversation (with me trying to have a conversation). Thing were plodding along, when I asked her, what she liked about living in the USA. Wow! There was a lot! So, much so, I started wondering why I was moving to Sweden! We both prefer the weather in this area too!

I had to re-center and realize that I’m moving because I have a wonderful opportunity to live out my vocation as a “teacher of grace” as one of the Trinity students called me (though I’m also known as an academically challenging teacher, so I guess I teach grace rigorously!). I am privileged to walk with people in their journeys and to encourage them along in the joy that comes from loving God and loving others. I will have the opportunity to do this again in Sweden.

However, my move looks like it will be delayed. The huge influx of refugees to Sweden–twice as many per capita as Germany–has the immigration department bogged down. I found out yesterday that my work permit application will take over 7 months, not the 2 months in normal circumstances. This really puts a wrench in the plans for Anya to start school on August 18 and me to start teaching in the fall (75% FTE). So, it complicates things for my employer as well. I guess it is another opportunity to learn more about trusting God.

It was a discouraging day. However, now I have more time to learn Swedish. And if I continue to struggle, I can get this T-shirt to help me communicate. This T-shirt has 40 icons to help communicate when you don’t know the language.

Crosscultural sensitivities are a never-ending challenge. For my PhD defense, I’m prepare a “trial lecture” on intercultural and gender perspectives in the Book of Ruth and related to African women. Since I’m not an African woman, I have to be very careful here. However, I haven’t yet read a commentary or journal author who is an identified widow, and Ruth centers around the stories of widows. The non-widows still write about widows.

Here’s some of the books I picked up from the library and off my shelf for my lecture preparation. (I’m kind of glad that not too many people write about this stuff, so all the books I needed were on the shelf. It’s kind of like the good thing about a dying church is good parking–even on Easter.)

With blessings,

Beth

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I’m still not sleeping well, as I wake up at 3:00 am repeatedly. With much of my focus going to learning Swedish, my mind is often caught up in trying to remember Swedish words. It doesn’t make for rolling over and going back to sleep.

Over the weekend, Anya worked diligently on her homework. I spent Friday night reading her AP world history text to here while she folded laundry. It gives us another connection and way for me to support her in her studies. The content often springboards into conversations, like the rise and fall of socialism in Tanzania and a friend from China who was sent for “re-education” in the countryside while her father was imprisoned for being a pastor. It connects the content with life.

On Saturday, I spent a lot of time reading my dissertation in preparation for the the trial lecture topic, which I knew I would receive on Monday. (Read on!) In the afternoon I drove to Stanwood listening to Swedish language audio and attended the Biblical Studies Get Together for Trinity Lutheran College. This is a semi-annual event where alumni and former faculty are invited to join in a time of fellowship with current faculty and students. However, this is the last one, as Trinity is closing its doors next month.

The great joy of being included is seeing some very dear students. I’ve been fortunate to be part of a learning community where faculty are able to care for students through existential crises, faith struggles, family issues, breakups, as well as sharing in the joys of relationships, graduate program acceptances, pregnancies. (My greatest joy was being asked to be a baptismal sponsor of one student in my year-long small group.)

One of the students there is also an INFJ (in the Myers-Briggs Temperament), so I’ve found that I am really able to connect with their struggles as I walked that path intensely at their age, though I’m still on a journey. However, at my farewell last fall, she called me “the professor of grace.” What a gift!

After church on Sunday, we went for pho (Vietnamese rice noodle soup) with our dear family friends, Peter, Kristi, Annaliese, and JaLynn. JaLynn just returned from Costa Rica with a school-related trip, so we heard stories of her wonderful experiences.

I finished reading my dissertation on Sunday, because I had to be ready for my trial lecture topic, which came Monday morning. I am to prepare an hour lecture on:

“Gender and Intercultural Criticism: The Book of Ruth and African Women”

The committee would like the institution to share the following quote with the candidate – meant as an inspiration:

The dilemma of the double struggle that women have to wage against both maintaining the patriarchal culture and being the victims of oppression, therein scores the need of a serious consideration of a feminist critique of culture. The book of Ruth is a suitable source of such a critique because it is like a mother hen: it gathers women from different traditions, cultures and faiths worldwide under its wing.

(Musimbi R.A. Kanyoro, Introducing Feminist Cultural Hermeneutics: An African Perspective. Cleveland, Ohio: Pilgrim Press. 2002:33-34).

So after my Global Entry interview at Sea-Tac airport (TSA pre-check and USA customs “fast pass”), I arranged to go to Trinity in Everett, where I could access the ATLA online database of theological and biblical studies journals. While on campus, several students greeted me with hugs, but I spent about one and a half hours talking with two former student in major life transition and faith issues. We talked, we laughed, there were some tears, but also we prayed. I miss this. This PhD journey is incredibly self-oriented with my time, my studies, and my concerns. I’m eager to get to the place where more of what I do touches others’ lives in meaningful ways. I’m yearning to be the teacher of grace again.

But before that happens, I need to get through this trial lecture and defense (while trying to push forward with Swedish). I emailed a former professor from Fuller seminary who has been a wonderful mentor and encouragement along this journey. I’m thinking through how to approach this trial lecture. Hermeneutics can be described as the philosophy of interpretation.

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Most of the morning was spent cleaning up the banner project at church. I’m trying to figure out if I appreciate this project more because I did the cleanup.  I still love the thoughtful reflection of the artist (Christy L.) embodied in a beautiful image, the collaboration of many hands, and especially the connections made tangible with our mission partners in Tanzania. Silk is a perfect medium for traveling to Tanzania. All 40 yards of fabric can fit in a 9 x 13 manila envelope!

I worked on the four mini banners (24 x 26 inches), as I’m unemployed and can make the time to get the project finished.

The last element was coloring the white silk to make material for streamers. I was able to just play with color on fabric 3 x 6 feet. Here are my two spontaneous adventures in color.

The middle of the day was spent re-reading the beginning of my dissertation. Fortunately, I had a few minutes reading in the hammock, but then the sun went behind the clouds and I moved inside.

Anya had her fourth track meet, and the third where she competed in pole vault. She again increased her personal record for the third week in a row, clearing 7 feet 6 inches today.

She ended up taking 2nd place in girls pole vaulting! I’m also glad that it was pretty good weather for the spring, no rain and just a slight chilly wind.

During the track meet, I sat on the side and read Wolfhart Pannenberg’s article, “Hermeneutic and Universal History” which has a discussion and critique of Hans Georg Gadamer. I used the German philosopher, Gadamer, for my theoretical framework for my dissertation. I need to be prepared for some questions and to give a stronger critique.

Posts to the blog may slow down a bit. I hope to finish reading my dissertation and  working on the Gadamer critique by the end of the weekend. On Monday, I get my topic for my “trial lecture.” Then I have 10 business days to prepare a 60-minute lecture on this topic that is provided by my dissertation committee. The topic will be in the broader realm of my dissertation but not directly related to it. This lecture is meant to demonstrate my ability to do research and a breadth of knowledge beyond my dissertation. If I’m strategic, I may be able to have an article to submit for publishing out of this.

With blessings,

Beth

One of the missed travel opportunities is not taking time to reflect on the journey. We often jump right back into our hectic lives and miss the opportunity to steep in the experience.

Perhaps this is the only good thing about jet lag; I awake early before the day is rolling and have an opportunity to steep. The definitions of steep include “soak (food or tea) in water or other liquid so as to extract its flavor or to soften it.” So, this morning I extract Tanzania’s flavors.

It was after I had dinner with Mark and Linda Jacobson on Tuesday night (See April 6 post), that I realized how fellowship at that table has been part of my life since 1992.

When I was 28-years-old, I took off on my second round-the-world trip. The first time, I was part of a missionary-pastor family, as we left for Hong Kong from the West Coast of the USA in 1965 and returned from the other direction in 1970 with a very scenic route through Thailand, Israel, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, France, Netherlands, and England.

In 1992,  I was on a solo journey over two months. While it sounds pretty adventurous, I was met at the airport by friends in every place except Israel, where I soon met up with friends. So, Nepal, Pakistan, Israel, Palestine, Kenya, and Tanzania were part of that trip that changed my life.

Travel tip: Travel to see friends! Instead of being a spectator of a country and culture on an organized tour, become more of a participant in the culture by walking with people in their lives. So, eagerly go ahead and befriend international students, temporary workers, and others you meet. You will develop a network of friends around the world.

This makes me think of my time in Pakistan visiting my sister. At the home of a Pakistani friend, I was enthralled as this woman about my age brought out her wedding dress to show us. What a treasure!

Travel tip: If you are on a tour, get off the beaten path. An easy way is to go to a local market. (Also the prices are less expensive than the tourist places.) I have had the privilege of the gift of free travel with two tours my dad was facilitating, one to Greece and Turkey, one to China. These trips are economical ways to see the tourist sites, but the best part was being with my dad in China who speaks Cantonese and Mandarin. It opened up wonderful connections with the people, like with a half-dozen Shaolin Kung Fu monks who just couldn’t get enough talking with my dad!

Back to the Jacobson’s table and my visit to Tanzania in 1992.

In 1992, I had no interest in Africa! My family’s connection with Asia was strong in me too. However, my dear friends, Jean and Marv, were on sabbatical in Arusha, Tanzania, and I had an opportunity to visit. I would be the first one in my family to touch foot on Africa. So, in a little travel rivalry with my sister, Elenn’, I made plans to visit Jean and Marv; it changed my life!

During this visit, I had dinner with Mark and Linda, visited homes of Tanzaniana for dinner, and had a wonderful safari. My first safari will always live in my memory. But it was the warmth and hospitality of the people that captivated me.

I heard a story of one family with young children who were going to work in Africa, and the parents were doing due diligence in preparing for their children’s well-being and health. They were asking questions to veteran expatriates who spend many years there. What about malaria, snakes, rabies, typhoid, yellow fever? The wise elder replied, what you really have to worry about is the Africa bug? What!?! Africa will get in your heart, and you’ll never be the same.

Africa changes one’s perspectives. Instead of a focus on productivity, there is a focus on relationships. This is seen in the classic African proverb, “I am because we are, and because we are I am” (Mbiti, African Religions and Philosophy 1990:110). Africa’s gift is allowing one to be a human-being instead of a human-doing. Obviously, there are challenges and issues with this. I’m not talking utopia, but sharing of a relational center that gives meaning and joy in life.

(Note: My adviser, Knut, is a friend of Mbiti!)

So, let me put this into application. I was emailing Marv with my strategy to pack and optimize my space and time crunch to get settled in Uppsala with limited resources. I’m not planning on buying a car in Sweden, so I was bouncing an idea off Marv. He responds with the wisdom he learned from Mch. Kimirei in Tanzania. Kimirei states (in paraphrase), “Oh, you Americans! When you run out of matches, you go to your neighbor and ask for a box of matches. We we run out of matches, we go to our neighbor and ask for one match. Then we will be able to visit our friend tomorrow and ask for another match.” The crux is the reminder to connect with the life-giving nature of belonging to community.

I walked through the day in a fog. My body seemed heavy and my head felt thick. I did succumb to a nap in the morning, but in the afternoon I just tried to keep moving. I figured mowing the lawn, weed wacking, pulling weeds, and clean up would help fight off the jet lag — which feels inversely proportional to the activity of the body. In other words, the more active my body, the less I feel the effect of the jet lag.

Unfortunately, there are sedentary tasks to do like following up on emails, tax prep (since Eric’s passing, I’ve outsourced this), and Swedish language learning. With effort, I managed to stay awake until 9:00 pm, but I had to go to bed before Anya was done with her homework.

I think I figured out the email notifications for new blog posts. If you’d like to have your email receive a message when a new blog post is posted, just email me at mamaany@gmail.com. Please put “blog notification” in the subject line.

Here are more travel tips related to airplane travel:

• I prefer over-the-ear headphones for long airplane rides. For a birthday a couple years ago, I received a pair of fold-able, noise-cancelling headphones with a volume control in the cord. After a couple hours of earphones, earbuds, or on-the-ear headphones, my ears get sore. So, these were a great gift, especially because I’ve been quite busy and have the opportunity to catch up on all the movies I missed while on a couple 9.5 hour flights!
• I put the headphones in a firm lens case I found at Goodwill. It also has a zippered pouch to include an adapter (two mono jacks to one stereo plug-in) and a splitter (in case two stereo plugs ever want to listen to one program or iPod, etc.).
• I keep a small pouch with a molded foam eye mask, which gives enough room for eyelids to blink without rubbing against the eye mask. The eyelid irritation bothers me and does not let me rest as well. I figured this was a good investment in good sleep. Without good sleep, I am more susceptible to getting sick. So, I figure this is worth it (even though I seem to lose eye masks on occasion).

  

• In my small pouch with the eye mask, I keep the foam ear plugs. I cut these in half so they aren’t sticking out so far. I’ve found that full-sized ear plugs get knocked out or rubbed out when I move my head–and then the noise wakes me up. These half-sized ones don’t. I can still pull them out. The half-sized ear plugs do tend to get dropped or lost, so I keep a couple extra handy in a very small zip lock bag in my small pouch.
• I’ve also attached half-sized ear plugs to a little elastic cord and looped the cord around the back strap of the eye mask. If one does pull out, then I just follow the cord from the back of the strap and put it back in.
• Another gift was a J-pillow, developed by a British flight attendant.

  

  

• With my eye mask, ear plugs, and J-pillow, I push my seat back as far as possible and put any carry-on luggage (that was under the seat ahead of me during take off) right in front of my seat (under my knees). Then I put pillows under the small of my back and stretch my legs into the space under seat ahead of me. I’m only 5’6″, so this works for me. Sorry tall folk, but you get more perks in the rest of life.
  Science says being tall could make you richer and more successful — here’s why
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• As I passed the 50-year mark, I started using compression socks for the long flights. I try to stay well hydrated, but I don’t want to collect the hydration in my ankles. They do make a difference.

So, a few more travel tips to consider.

With blessings,

Beth