Thursday, April 3, 2014

Breathe: That Collective Sigh of Relief


It’s the beginning of another month—the kind of time which brings to the mailboxes of many Americans more disappointments than joys. Some are disappointed with what arrives in their mailbox: bills that can’t be paid. Some are unhappy with what doesn’t arrive in their mail: the check on which they are so dependent.

Me? I was just happy to enjoy a sunshiny break from the rain—though I’m grateful we’re having so much of it, finally!—to get outside in the cool afternoon air and walk down the driveway to check my box. I didn’t even know whether the mail had been delivered yet; I just needed to get outdoors. Sometimes, I sit at my desk so long, you’d think I was anchored there with a real ball and chain.

Well, the walk was worth the trip in more ways than one.

It happened later than I originally guessed, but sooner than I ultimately presumed. That “expedited” government document—the one so desperately needed now, to fill in the last blank on an application due soon for a foreign study program—finally arrived.

I had been pondering creating an online contest—“guess which late date the passport arrives”—since every shred of rational expectation had seemingly been exchanged for Kafka-esque mishaps. Even when you feel like screaming and fuming, sometimes it really is better to sit back, relax, and have a good long laugh at the situation. What else can you do?

Next breath-suspension exercise: the long wait to receive the response to the application for study abroad. Here’s hoping the decision comes back with a “yes” for Ireland!

12 comments:

  1. Of course it will! And yes, it was good to get outside yesterday. I pulled weeds around my mailbox. Ahhhh ~

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    1. Thank you, Wendy. Hope to report back in the affirmative promptly!

      How nice that you got some weed therapy in the other day! Who would have thought that weeds could serve such a beneficial purpose ;)

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  2. Whew!! You are creeping, edging slowly in on the goal!!!

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    1. Surmounting the next step will provide a huge amount of relief!

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  3. Yay, it arrived! You'll be in Ireland before you know it :-)

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  4. Yes, finally the expedited arrives...later than the regulars..go figure:(

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  5. Hurray! Congrats on the passport's arrival!

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    1. Thanks, Jana! So glad to get beyond that hurdle!

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  6. Great news, Jacqi! It's exciting that you'll be having this great adventure in Ireland soon. We'll all enjoy your posts sharing the experiences.

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    1. Thanks, Nancy. I'm going to be experimenting with apps and other ways to enable me to post on-the-road during our trip. If I can't bring you all along with me, I'll find another way to make it seem so!

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