t-5 days: A suddenly huge to-do list

Remember that to-do list? Well, I was WAY out. My current to-do list looks like this:

• Dot mobile - I have to write to them to cancel my contract. Quite important, as I won't be using this phone in China.



• Hotel Chocolat - I'm in the chocolate tasting club, and have to cancel my monthly deliveries of absolutely amazing chocolates (quite heartbreaking, I'm sure you'll agree). DONE



• Portland Residential - My landlord in Newcastle. I have to send them various bits and bobs (if Talktalk and nPower would get their act together) to get my deposit back (£200, so quite urgent)



• Topman - I have a storecard (I know, I know, but I wanted the goody bag). Just to let them know I'm leaving the country, and could they not send me things. No, there isn't a balance.



• Travel money - Yes, more. I need a lot. And I had to buy in installments. So this is the final installment, I have to pick it up from the bank today. (熙涵，你要带多少钱？我带六千五百块）



• Hostels in China - Booked (as much as possible) and all that, but I need to get directions to them, to save us being ripped off in taxis (yes, we're white, no, we're not rich)



• Packing - No longer can this be left. I have just weighed the two suitcases I was debating about taking, they both way they say, one has more capacity but is much harder to carry, the other also has more pockets which could be useful for overnight things. Depends on how much junk I want to take. The advantage of the smaller one is it holds less, so I'd be less likely to go over the weight limit for the FlyMachine.



• Inland Revenue - I'm leaving the country, so will not be earning any more, so would like some tax back. Problem is, I just looked at my most recent payslip, and I haven't actually paid any tax. So I don't need to speak to them.



• NHS - I read somewhere that if you're leaving the country, you have to un-register with the NHS. But if I can't find anyone to speak to about this, then there's nothing I can do. Sorry, struggling healthcare system.



• Toiletry shopping - I have all the things I need for China, except toiletries. I'm going to take the bare minimum (people who have seen my toiletries bag before, stop laughing now). One shower gel, one deodorant, one shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, and that's about it. (Obviously, I already have a toothbrush, razor and shaving oil which lasts about ten years).



• 熙涵's book - She posted me a book, so I must finish reading it and posting it back (Unless you want to take it to China? I doubt the authorities will be too happy, it talks about tee-en-an-men, which is apparently not talked about in China, and a reason for blocking a website from China. I may have just got this blog blocked. Hmm.



• Starbucks - Having just left my job (woohoo!), I need to sell my shares (you can't say they're bad to the staff, I've got loads of shares), and get a P45. Problem - I'm still listed as working in Newcastle (I was never transferred), and (as of Friday) we couldn't get hold of the manager to transfer me. And my address is still listed as Newcastle. So I can't get my P45. At least I changed my address with the YBS, who deal with my shares for me.

So, panicking slightly now. Some bits will take no time at all, others are more just hassle than anything, but some are very time-sensitive, and there's no way it'll be done (like Portland Residential). I also wanted to get my laptop fixed up and sold, but I doubt there's time for that. Fortunately, Nicki offered to sell it for me, if I send it for repair and put the return address as hers.

Dear Lord. Five days.

Today's Fearometer Rating: 9