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This time next week, I will be in Costa Rica.
That shouldn’t be its own paragraph, but when you write it on paper, it just seems so much more real. It just seems that it needs its own space. It needs room to breathe.
The funny thing is whenever the trip comes up among people I am talking to–and it comes up because almost everyone in my social group wants to escape winter regardless of how benign it has been–everyone asks me one of two questions: When is your trip again? Or Are you packed yet?
The first is obviously just a clarification. It really doesn’t affect their lives because there is no parking spot up for grabs, there won’t be a noticeable amount of coffee still in the coffee pot, and there won’t be extra bagels for breakfast–because we don’t get those anyway. At best there will be a little extra room in the fridge to store their lunch.
The second question is a bit more difficult to fathom. Perhaps they are looking for insights into my personality. Perhaps they are just trying to impose their idea of order and preparation on me. If it is the former, good luck. I am an Aquarian and contradictions are all part of the game. If it is the latter, well, I could probably use a bit of coaching on that front–but you should expect resistance.
I seem to flip flop between preparation and winging it. I have taken trips where I meticulously prepared a checklist with boxes for having done it and a second set of boxes for checking on the day of departure that I have really, in fact, absolutely done it. I have resisted doing that this time because my printer is out of commission and I don’t want to do it at work. However, as I type this, I am starting to think it is a good idea. I have started one on paper, but even I don’t really appreciate my own handwriting.
I’ve got my packing cubes ready and my summer clothes are still washed from before the onset of late fall. I’ve got my sun block and my hat. All I really need to decide is what book I should take for my five hour flight.
If you’re wondering how any of this qualifies as Today’s Perfect Moment, the first sentence should say it all. This time next week I will be in Costa Rica while many of my fellow Canadians will be shovelling snow.
Your first sentence really does deserve to be its own paragraph, Anthony. I am so excited for you! The good thing about traveling to warmer climes is that you need fewer clothes to survive, so I say don’t stress too much over your packing list. (After all, it’s way cheaper to buy a tee or a pair of shorts than, say, a parka!) What book(s) to bring is a trickier question, though. Have you read Bill Bryson’s “The Mother Tongue” yet? I’m halfway into it myself and think it would be right up your alley — full of fascinating facts and observations, but funny too. Well, I’ll leave it there so you can continue your preparations. Did I mention that I’m SO EXCITED for you? 🙂
Thank you for your wise advice. I picked up Bryson’s book today. I think I will take that and Crazy Rich Asians for the trip back.
Thank you also for your excitement. It is making me excited too.
Oh, Anthony! I’m so glad you picked up Bryson’s book. I hope you’ll love it (and if not, I’ll refund you the purchase price … because I stand behind my recommendations). Happy to hear that my excitement is contagious, too! I’m very eager to follow along, if you care to share your adventure. Once you get back, of course, so you can enjoy every single minute of your vacation. 😉
Have a lovely time!
Thank you.
I would download books on to my phone so I could choose more than one to take! 🙂
I’ve never read a book on my phone…. hmmmm. Not a bad idea. Thanks Hunida.