Ok so I'm not that angry at her joining us for the trip anymore because I have rationalized it in me and come to a conclusion that she has no power to reject it even if she does not want to come along. I am still very pissed at him because I do not know his selection criteria for such events.

By the way, I will not be going to Hongkong for the school visits. Previously, it was changed to Melbourne. Then after a few weeks, now it's San Francisco. And I believe it's confirmed becuase the tickets have been booked already. We'll be flying off on 8th November and be back on the 17th. I felt like a ball being kicked around the globe! So many changes in the location of our visit. Anyway, now it's confirmed.

Do you know that the Diners Club credit card gets you to business class airport lounges at most airports around the world for free? I am thinking of getting one. We'll have to fly for 6 hours to Japan's Niigata airport for a 1.75 stop-over, and then we'll have a 16-hour flight to the Frisco airport. Think the lounge will be good for that 1.75 hours to relax, shower, etc.

I am more positive about this trip now. Nevermind that she is joining the two of us and tagging along. I will basically handle it very professionally with her. She's no longer a friend because she basically does not treat us like one. She's the type who will make use of you when the opportunity arises or when she needs to do so. That's not what you should do to a friend. So we've decided that we will be very professional about it and well, at least on my part, it will be strictly cordial. So this is why I am able to begin to feel positive about this trip.

Besides, this is a learning journey for me and I want to learn as much as I can from this school that we're visiting. How often do we get to see other schools in other countries? I will plan the details carefully and do all these for the benefit of my own professional development.