Winding Down

Not a lot is going on here. I’m starting to wrap things up here with a variety of emotion.

On one hand I’ve been dealing with quite a bit of bureaucracy that makes me eager to get back to the states where I know how things operate. I’m also eager to go to TARGET and the grocery store, which you know will always be well stocked and have everything you could possibly want and more! Yet the finality of everything is starting to dawn on me. I’ve had a mind to see and do things that I’ve always wanted to for some time now. I’m realizing how imminent my departure is, and realizing that there are things I wanted to do and see that I probably won’t. And the other day when I was reading over some of the final PC things I felt so sad in knowing that THIS IS IT…. All this will soon be part of my past, and I can never go back. I ran into a friend the other day who echoed the same thing. That even though a time and place in your life are great and you love it, there’s a time to move on. And as sad is it is, I’m glad to go out on a high note. I can see the handwriting on the wall; a lot of other friends are leaving too. They’re part of what’s made things here so good. I’m also excited to get into whatever will happen next.

Then I guess it stands to reason that I’ve been feeling odd and tumultuous with all these conflicting things in my head! I’ve nearly pitched American-style hissy fits on a couple of occasions. Last week I went to lunch with Tom, Mary and Deb. We were seeing Mary off as she was returning to the states. After sifting through a menu full of ho-hum, non-vegetarian choices, I ordered the Lucian Veg Plate, which is something you can get at any corner place, and for cheaper. After nearly 30 minutes, Tom, Mary and Deb got their food. When they were almost done eating, mine still hadn’t arrived. I was so annoyed at that point that I went and told the waitress to cancel my order. She said it would be ready just now. I said forget it ("just now" can mean an hour). In the end, the owner was very gracious and gave me my veg plate for free. All well and good, but I won’t be going back.

This week, I had a lengthy and annoying go-round with Cable and Wireless, telecommunications monopoly. By yesterday I was so vex that I had to leave the house and take a walk to cool off. When I finally got through to a customer service rep, I politely told her how VERY ANGRY I was. Today when the service guy came by, he apologized. I told him no worries, this was the level of service I’ve come to expect.

So I’m only at school about one day a week now. They’re doing end-of-term testing, so I don’t have much to do anyways (but I’d like to finish the BFG with the boys). I’m also transitioning out of swimming. I’ve had some PC paperwork and procedures to go through. I’m also concentrating on memorizing how the wind sounds in the palm trees, how REAL mangos taste and the feel of swimming in salt water.

8 weeks to go!