February 2017 – New Zealand

2.21.2017

I sat in the booth at the Jade Dragon sushi restaurant with my sister on the eve of my departure.

For a moment, I panicked when I noticed the fortune cookie handed to me. What if it said, “don’t get on the plane.” or some other omen- I know that isn’t realistic, but it’s possible. Despite irrational fear, I opened my (culturally inaccurate) fortune cookie, which read, “Learn Chinese – sugar ৠ (tang) Lucky Numbers 18, 19, 40”- wait, this is when I flipped it over. It read, “Dwelling on the negative simply contributes to its power.” This resonated with me for a moment. The past few months, I’ve found myself dwelling on such adversities. Failed relationships, mistakes I’d made, a newly inaugurated circus peanut as President, etc. It’s nearly impossible to convince yourself not to think of something or someone, no matter how hard you try to push it out of your brain. I had let this strife lead to near Season 3 Chandler Bing-level self deprecation.

Yes, that is most likely soy sauce in the corner.

This realization was manifested in a strip-mall Asian restaurant in Milford, NH – I was about to be on the opposite side of the globe. (yes, I’ve known this for a while, but it was just hitting me, okay?) I would be 9,000 miles from and 18 hours ahead of everything here. The faces that have haunted me will be replaced with kind, genuine, adventurous ones. My anguished, cringe-worthy memories will be drowned out by fresh, thrilling experiences. And, the President’s absurdity will be that much crazier looking from the outside in(?) I could not think of a better time to go abroad. That being said, I will also hold onto the positive aspects of home- my mom’s breakfast sandwiches, my hilarious roommates, and the school that I ‘ve grown to love.

My cliche fortune has earned its spot in my wallet as the first relic of my journey. I’ll collect small, unique mementos over time. Tickets, menus, passes, jotted napkin scribbles, photographs, and keepsakes will travel with me – not animosity.

p.s. last night I had a dream- nay, nightmare- that I had a liquid in my carry-on.

2·12·2017

It’s currently 71 degrees fahrenheit and sunny in Auckland, New Zealand.

As I lay in my bed typing this, it is 13 degrees fahrenheit outside, amid a nor’easter that is expected to dump a foot and a half of snow. It is now less than two weeks until I board a flight in Boston and head toward, presumably, the experience of a lifetime.

I’ve spent the past two months counting down days while surfing the online shopping world. Ordering things from bathing suits, to an outlet adapter, to hiking boots. I ordered a packable raincoat I have yet to figure out how to pack. And I Packing ordered a packable backpack that came prepacked, that I haven’t unpacked out of fear that it will suffer the same fate as my unpacked packable raincoat. Let’s just say, I have a lot of packing ahead of me. It’s very intimidating. The program tries to guide us with online PDFs and past student experiences. It says (ad lib): “a dufflebag, a school backpack, a hiking pack, a carry-on, and a rolling bag that could undoubtedly fit a small human, or a combination of a few of these. The seasons are opposite, so spring is fall, and winter is summer. It’s warm but not that warm, but kinda cold too! They’re trendy, but casual. Pack enough, but be sure not to pack too much! lol good luck, see ya there!” It’s puzzling, to say the least.

I’ve briefly scanned the participant list for my program (and by briefly, I mean I’ve practically memorized it). The people on the list are from places like California, Florida, and Texas. One person goes to Temple University – my alma mater severed by homesickness and a higher than average crime rate – so that should be an interesting conversation. I’m the only one from New Hampshire, which got me thinking, what do I say for it if anyone asks? There are trees? Politicians? A lack of seatbelt laws? Perhaps a ‘New England Patriots Super Bowl Champions L1’ shirt or the slip of the word “wicked” will reveal my origins before I do. I’m beyond excited to meet people from other parts of the country, as well as the kiwis, of course.
10 days. Several monotonous work days. 3 Lord of the Rings movies. A packing list to intimidate even the most weathered traveller. 20+ hours of traveling. 8,977 miles.