I'm in the first leg of my trip, and practicing my Gaelic already. I'm here in Chicago staying with Patrick and Laura until tomorrow night when I fly out of O'Hare. My anticipation is high, my expectations are higher. This is the strangest feeling, knowing that I'm moving so far away tomorrow. I am physically unable to understand, let alone accept, that I said goodbye to my family and friends for 5 months. That I'm going to live in another country by myself for 5 months. That I've been planning and packing for so long, and now I'm thrust through a whirlwind of goodbyes that will culminate in a new, independant, adventurous life. Absolutely the biggest opportunity of my life thus far. Unreal.
For the sake of documentation, I've taken some pictures of the packing process. I have a specific technique that I like to carefully employ when I pack that my mother refuses to understand or appreciate:
She fails to see the beauty and functionality of my organized piles because they aren't "clearly separated" enough for her, apparently. After days of her complaints countered by my justifications, I threw my hands in the air in a "You think you can do better? Go for it!" manner. And this disaster was her solution:
The meticulous folding and stacking displayed both a lack of originality and practicality. Her so-called "technique" was to fit everything I needed neatly into my suitcases. "I've packed for Patrick a hundred times and he always thanked me," she says. Yeah. Sure Mom. I can see it now - Patrick forcing a smile as he thanked her politely through his teeth for how hard she worked, not wanting to hurt her feelings because she had the best of intentions. She was clearly doing the best that she could, and I too didn't have the heart to re-pack after she was so excited to show me the process and finished product. Needless to say I'll be taking care of my own packing from now on.
I'm flying out tomorrow evening. I can't stop thinking about all of the new friends I'll be making! It may take a little bit to get my internet working and a phone, but I'll do my best.
I'll miss you all more than I can say.
Sláinte!
I remember when Mom used to 'help me with my homework' and 'do the laundry.' You just have to remember that she is doing the best she can.
ReplyDelete