Friday, August 28, 2009

Finally Made it!!

Okay, so I have been here 3 weeks. It's hard to believe that 3 weeks have come and gone and only now have I sat down to make my first entry. Let's take a moment to recognize that I actually started a blog at all...hey, that is a huge technological step for me. I said I would and I have. The procrastinating side of me has also been at work. This blog concept is new for me. Although I have been journaling for years, this is quite different. It is a new idea for me to wrap my head around because it is personal but not private. This blog will be my forum for sharing my experiences with you. All of you.

I have to also admit that I have been terrible when it comes to emailing and telephoning. I cannot explain how full my days have been plus the additional time difference...
So please know that I have not intentionally neglected anyone. I have been living in the moment. Every moment. And what amazing moments they have been.

August 2nd I left Tulsa, Oklahoma to begin this new adventure. An adventure I have been preparing for since 2006. I left Tulsa with more luggage than I have ever traveled with in my life: 2 carry ons and 2 checked bags. My initial intention was to take 1 checked bag, but my mama offered her sage wisdom in telling me that even though I had to pay for my checked bags (grr) it was ultimately cheaper than posting a 50 lb. box to Alaska. I am quite happy I stuffed my luggage full of food because that is what I have primarily been eating for the last 3 weeks. We don't believe in starving in my family.

I've traveled a bit in my time, and usually I am dropped off at the curb. Not this time. I thought I may have been over zealous in my packing, so the padres came in just in case I had to lighten the load. Indeed I had to take a few items out. One was 51.5 lbs and the other 57 lbs...so out came a few cans of veggies and a bottle of Listerine. Then I ran into a little delay going through security. The id checker told me he had bad new; I thought he was joking. Nope. He said my driver's license expired on August 1st (the day before) and he really shouldn't let me through security with an expired id. What about my passport? Yes, the passport I take EVERYWHERE? In my bedroom...somewhere...I couldn't find it in the 13th hour. Then, the xray person thought I was transporting a car brake when in fact it was one of my weights for my barbells. It took three people to approve that item. Who knew that would have been an iffy carry on item? Obviously not me. The bad news is I have no current identification and I allowed my CDL to expire, but the good news is there are no roads where I am so driving is not currently an issue.