Traveling advice #1. Expect the unexpected. #2. If you have an early flight, check online to see if it has been cancelled. Otherwise, you might end up like me, arriving to the airport after a mere three hours sleep for a 6:45 am flight, checking your luggage (did the lady at the desk not think it was strange enough to mention that I checking in for a now 2:00 pm flight?!?), and going through security only to realize that that the departure time on the ticket is 2 p.m. Then you might have to beg someone at the airport to use their cellphone so you can call the wonderful person who was nice enough to get up at 4 a.m. to take you the airport and ask them to come right back and get you, just as they were getting ready to crawl back in bed. Thanks for the great emotional goodbye. Just kidding about that whole leaving thing...can you come pick me up? The good news, however, is we laughed about it all the way back from the airport (Jen I love you!), that I got a few more hours of sleep, have one less layover on the journey, get to have a yummy lunch here in Austin, and still have a ride from the airport in San Jose later tonight.
It is a nice reminder about readiness. If you would have asked me five months ago if I was ready for this (after a year and a half lapse between the initial scholarship application and the final word of acceptance into the university), I would have said YES!!! Ready is an understatement. Costa Rica here I come!
Nonetheless, when asked by many of my friends and family (throughout the series of going away parties) if I was ready, my body language had more of the deer-in-headlights feel to it. Ready to leave my support system and move to another country? Ready for graduate school in another language? Ready for a completely new everyday life? No, no I am not ready. My mind is exploding with a list of should have's and could have's , doubts, and fears. I keep reminding myself that if being ready means not nervous or unafraid, then being ready is a myth. We can only be open to change, willing to step into the unknown, and unashamed to fumble around a bit in this new unfamiliar territory. That is the true extent of readiness, and I can assure you, I am there. I am off to Round 2 at the airport. For the second time today, Costa Rica here I come!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
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that sure one-ups moving into the bookfield with no place to stay. At least everyone spoke English back then. I'm sure you'll land flat on your... feet! yes your feet! Because you are smart and wonderful!
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