As of now... I am iPhone free, job-free, car-free, apartment-free, debt-free and all-free... to fulfill this dream.
A sad goodbye to Canada (and winter!) Lyndia is off to India.
Only 4 flights away! And I should be just lifting off from YEG.
ETA: DEL (Delhi local time) 10:25AM January 26th (Republic Day)
p.s. I don't know if I've said this before but I am looking forward to hearing from you all too! Keep your comments, emails and psychic messages coming ;)
Showing posts with label pre-trip. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pre-trip. Show all posts
January 24, 2011
January 23, 2011
Lift-off Lessons
Write about cows, peanut butter-banana sandwiches and leaving space for spontaneity.
Those are the last three requests I've had before I embark on my India Adventure (t-minus 12 hours to departure... then about 36 hours of traveling via Edmonton - Chicago - Munich - London/Heathrow - Delhi. In that order.)
Besides the "safe" and "fun" stuff which is standard and generally quite important! I have to admit it still seems surreal, but coming closer to comprehension with the final "farewell dinner", goodbye phone calls, confirming departure times and the moment of sliding the keys to one's beloved, and now former, apartment under the door locked for the last time (in a makeshift envelope of semi-scrap paper...)
Yep. I guess, I'm going. And maybe, just maybe my lack of panic means... I'm ready to do this!
Those are the last three requests I've had before I embark on my India Adventure (t-minus 12 hours to departure... then about 36 hours of traveling via Edmonton - Chicago - Munich - London/Heathrow - Delhi. In that order.)
Besides the "safe" and "fun" stuff which is standard and generally quite important! I have to admit it still seems surreal, but coming closer to comprehension with the final "farewell dinner", goodbye phone calls, confirming departure times and the moment of sliding the keys to one's beloved, and now former, apartment under the door locked for the last time (in a makeshift envelope of semi-scrap paper...)
Yep. I guess, I'm going. And maybe, just maybe my lack of panic means... I'm ready to do this!
January 19, 2011
big Deal?
So, I've got less than 2 days of work left. No big deal.
And...I'm still feeling like I'm totally unprepared for this trip. Okay, no big deal.
Oh and Hey! I'm just saying good bye to everyone I know... it's no big deal.
I am floating through la-la land & don't even believe I'm leaving in 102 hours... ah, no big de... no, wait! I think this kind of IS a big deal! Why am I so nonchalant about all of this? How can I also feel totally panicked at the same time?
How much more dis-analogous can it be?
Rewind: I went to the art gallery this evening, cooked some pasta, had a great chat with my grandma and read more yoga-related books... low and behold 3 out of 4 held the answers (sorry pasta-cooking, no revelations today).
1) I love taking my time looking at art; skipping the ones I'm no into and going back to the ones I loved without reservation. It was glorious and I only felt a burst of panic twice in 105 minutes of cultural recreation.
2) My grandma announced she was still "trying to wrap her head around all this" for my trip...and I confessed (and realized) I was too! But then I realized, that's okay. I love talking to her!
3) Good old yoga-books. Seriously, if I didn't take away some gem of wisdom I'd be amazed. This time? The "contentment shift."
Deeply accepting and feeling gratitude for every part of your day, situation and life. Everything. Good, bad or neutral. Because "with contentment comes a lessening of fear." BAM. Now that's a life lesson.
I am grateful for my sources of wisdom.
And I am content with my pasta with Alfredo sauce, black beans and bamboo shoots.
yeah, it's kind-of a big deal.
And...I'm still feeling like I'm totally unprepared for this trip. Okay, no big deal.
Oh and Hey! I'm just saying good bye to everyone I know... it's no big deal.
I am floating through la-la land & don't even believe I'm leaving in 102 hours... ah, no big de... no, wait! I think this kind of IS a big deal! Why am I so nonchalant about all of this? How can I also feel totally panicked at the same time?
How much more dis-analogous can it be?
Rewind: I went to the art gallery this evening, cooked some pasta, had a great chat with my grandma and read more yoga-related books... low and behold 3 out of 4 held the answers (sorry pasta-cooking, no revelations today).
1) I love taking my time looking at art; skipping the ones I'm no into and going back to the ones I loved without reservation. It was glorious and I only felt a burst of panic twice in 105 minutes of cultural recreation.
2) My grandma announced she was still "trying to wrap her head around all this" for my trip...and I confessed (and realized) I was too! But then I realized, that's okay. I love talking to her!
3) Good old yoga-books. Seriously, if I didn't take away some gem of wisdom I'd be amazed. This time? The "contentment shift."
Deeply accepting and feeling gratitude for every part of your day, situation and life. Everything. Good, bad or neutral. Because "with contentment comes a lessening of fear." BAM. Now that's a life lesson.
I am grateful for my sources of wisdom.
And I am content with my pasta with Alfredo sauce, black beans and bamboo shoots.
yeah, it's kind-of a big deal.
January 16, 2011
Moved
Lyndia & Dad*: 1
Edmonton Apartment: nothing.
*with some significant help from a 5X8 moving trailer and no help from the various used funtiture shops that refuse to take hide-a-beds, things with upolstry or things with cushions.
Now only five and a half hours left of my Greyhound bus reading tag team of "Live your Yoga" and Rohinton Minstry's "A Fine Balance." And please note, anyone who sees me this week will certainly notice apparel repeats. Living out of a suitcase starts now. It's just that my suitcase looks like an empty apartment...
Edmonton Apartment: nothing.
*with some significant help from a 5X8 moving trailer and no help from the various used funtiture shops that refuse to take hide-a-beds, things with upolstry or things with cushions.
Now only five and a half hours left of my Greyhound bus reading tag team of "Live your Yoga" and Rohinton Minstry's "A Fine Balance." And please note, anyone who sees me this week will certainly notice apparel repeats. Living out of a suitcase starts now. It's just that my suitcase looks like an empty apartment...
January 11, 2011
class schedule surprise
Wow! I don't know why this surprised me so much. Let me tell you the play-by-play of my trip-related surprises today. This morning I got an email from my favourite Vanessa*...
My Official Letter of Welcome! My yoga teacher training (YTT200) Class Schedule! and I was super excited! (not surprising)
Theeeennn I read it carefully (surprising) and found a couple details, well, surprising! I obviously researched the program but I did not realize the nine (9) hours of silence would encompass breakfast, every day. My dear University roommates might suggest this would be the perfect time for me to be silent as that was certainly not my moment to shine those years, but now I feel a bit... surprised. For anyone else who knows me this idea of Lyndia + silence has probably already rendered you speechless.
Well I say (think, I mean think!), "bring it on! I look forward to quietly silently contemplating the Himalayas over my oatmeal!" Ok, that's actually awe-inspiring.
The other big surprise? There is a written exam, verbal presentation and a 1500 word essay to pass the course! At first my surprise was in the "shock" variety. Then I felt the shift to excitement as I started plotting what books I'd reference for the paper and which yoga sutras I'd most like to present on. If it weren't for the fact some of those books are taped up in boxes... I'd be done 500 words already. So the total surprise? That I'm SUPER EXCITED to have homework again! Three cheers for nerds!!
Oh, there was one other thing... when I continued to the third (fourth?) attachment that indicated the yoga school (ashram) tries to be as environmentally friendly as possible and I was, again, pleasantly surprised! I love that stuff!! But then I contemplated... travel mug? Easy! Cloth handkerchiefs? Uhhh... I do not even know where to look. So there will be at least one more preparation adventure in my future. But for now, I better go pack another stinkin' box. Hint: don't ever move in winter.
*names changed for privacy but syllables remain the same.
My Official Letter of Welcome! My yoga teacher training (YTT200) Class Schedule! and I was super excited! (not surprising)
Theeeennn I read it carefully (surprising) and found a couple details, well, surprising! I obviously researched the program but I did not realize the nine (9) hours of silence would encompass breakfast, every day. My dear University roommates might suggest this would be the perfect time for me to be silent as that was certainly not my moment to shine those years, but now I feel a bit... surprised. For anyone else who knows me this idea of Lyndia + silence has probably already rendered you speechless.
Well I say (think, I mean think!), "bring it on! I look forward to quietly silently contemplating the Himalayas over my oatmeal!" Ok, that's actually awe-inspiring.
The other big surprise? There is a written exam, verbal presentation and a 1500 word essay to pass the course! At first my surprise was in the "shock" variety. Then I felt the shift to excitement as I started plotting what books I'd reference for the paper and which yoga sutras I'd most like to present on. If it weren't for the fact some of those books are taped up in boxes... I'd be done 500 words already. So the total surprise? That I'm SUPER EXCITED to have homework again! Three cheers for nerds!!
Oh, there was one other thing... when I continued to the third (fourth?) attachment that indicated the yoga school (ashram) tries to be as environmentally friendly as possible and I was, again, pleasantly surprised! I love that stuff!! But then I contemplated... travel mug? Easy! Cloth handkerchiefs? Uhhh... I do not even know where to look. So there will be at least one more preparation adventure in my future. But for now, I better go pack another stinkin' box. Hint: don't ever move in winter.
*names changed for privacy but syllables remain the same.
January 10, 2011
quitting the Alberta habit
I am now convinced that this province is an addiction - it takes up more than my average, daily waking hours; I spend at least 50% of my income on/in it; I think about it when I am not there; and I am talking about it to other people all the time. It's no DSM-vi definition but I'm sure it's close enough to addiction.
It has not proven easy to break this habit. First, there is a great deal of emotional strain. People everywhere reminding me how little time I have left. Sometimes I wonder if I am on my deathbed because it's said with such despair. Other times it must be my long-awaited day of reckoning or surprise end to a life prison sentence; the words just bubble out like Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk-of-happiness. I refuse to read anything into these diametrically opposed options, of course.
But it's not just that. There are other little items, mere material possessions that I didn't even think I cared about that start up some kind of projection/defense mechanism response.
Yes, I'm selling (nearly) everything.
Yes, I'm okay with that.
Yes, it'll make life easier in the long run.
But seriously, everytime someone makes an offer on my sofa am I going to tear up? No. Hopefully not after today. Eager buyers knocking down my door in the post-dinner rush. Bring it oooonn! (but do take your boots off first). It's a kitchen-supplies flea market in here. I better not start sobbing over my beautiful like-new green strainer or semi-complete set of flat ware.
I mean it's not like it's my bike or anything!
Again, the pre-trip preparations continue (anti-malarias obtained, travel insurance procured & even completed my pre-trial-run pack!) an epic battle rages... to reconcile my addiction (with life-long relapses) to Alberta. Well, not the two-foot-snowfall-car-stuck-in-parking-lot-shoveling-out-with-an-ice-scraper-no-one-helping-push-snot-freezing-ice-slipping drudgery. That's about as pleasant as... well... as it sounds.
But despite all that, I still expect withdrawals.
(only 14 days left)
It has not proven easy to break this habit. First, there is a great deal of emotional strain. People everywhere reminding me how little time I have left. Sometimes I wonder if I am on my deathbed because it's said with such despair. Other times it must be my long-awaited day of reckoning or surprise end to a life prison sentence; the words just bubble out like Eagle Brand® Sweetened Condensed Milk-of-happiness. I refuse to read anything into these diametrically opposed options, of course.
But it's not just that. There are other little items, mere material possessions that I didn't even think I cared about that start up some kind of projection/defense mechanism response.
Yes, I'm selling (nearly) everything.
Yes, I'm okay with that.
Yes, it'll make life easier in the long run.
But seriously, everytime someone makes an offer on my sofa am I going to tear up? No. Hopefully not after today. Eager buyers knocking down my door in the post-dinner rush. Bring it oooonn! (but do take your boots off first). It's a kitchen-supplies flea market in here. I better not start sobbing over my beautiful like-new green strainer or semi-complete set of flat ware.
I mean it's not like it's my bike or anything!
Again, the pre-trip preparations continue (anti-malarias obtained, travel insurance procured & even completed my pre-trial-run pack!) an epic battle rages... to reconcile my addiction (with life-long relapses) to Alberta. Well, not the two-foot-snowfall-car-stuck-in-parking-lot-shoveling-out-with-an-ice-scraper-no-one-helping-push-snot-freezing-ice-slipping drudgery. That's about as pleasant as... well... as it sounds.
But despite all that, I still expect withdrawals.
(only 14 days left)
January 7, 2011
Preparation Mode/Intro
As of today the India-specific blog begins! Lyndia's India is in no way my attempt to own the country... I am definitely not as possessive as that apostrophe suggests. However, I do intend to explore as much as possible but in a meaningful and holistic fashion that will not result in a completed checklist of sights, places and photos (although I know there will be some of that). I have almost three months to get a feel for the country and will likely stay in the Northern half, only so that I can make a valid argument for a second trip in the future! The neglect of over 50% of the sub-continent is also due to the fact I will be studying yoga for the first month and then helping out in an unpaid fashion for at least three weeks at a boys' school. (I don't discuss too much yet... that would ruin the blogy-suspense.)
The trip itself doesn't start until January 24th but I'm sure there are bound to be some blog-worthy moments in the almost-month of ongoing preparations.
Fear not, I will not bore you with the endless phone calls, confirmation numbers and the procurement of supplies (the latter which is my mission today). Should you be enticed by learning which anti-malaria option I decided on, or what water purification system I ended up with, or how many pairs of yoga pants (two) I'm packing I might be convinced toramble wax poetic on these topics but won't make the whole of January so dull...
The thing I really wanted to mention today is about my plan for this blog from January to April 2011.
What I will do:
- keep you updated on my travels
- share the things I learn
- try to upload photos
- write in whatever format I feel like (i.e. prose, poem, journal, short story, stream of consciousness)
- entertain tangents of all kinds (that's a promise).
- be as accurate as possible with spelling, grammar and punctuation but I have no idea what the computer/ spell-check situation will be, so please cut me some slack :)
- write posts in advance and schedule them to be posted on a future day for your enjoyment
- reply to comments when I can (no promises, but I DO love your comments!!)
- be happy if you share this with other less blog-inclined people who will probably want to get the Lyndia in India updates (thank you!)
What I won't do:
- post everyday
- complain a lot (unless it's funny, life-altering or critical to some other aspect of my 'story')
- make stereotypes
- make promises about how often I'll post
- guarantee there won't be embellishments or some semi-fictional aspects as my creative license permits
Now off to obtain my passport with a shiny new India Visa, some water purification ingredients and anti-malarial pills. Yay! (but not for malaria, I can't cheer for an infectious disease)
The trip itself doesn't start until January 24th but I'm sure there are bound to be some blog-worthy moments in the almost-month of ongoing preparations.
Fear not, I will not bore you with the endless phone calls, confirmation numbers and the procurement of supplies (the latter which is my mission today). Should you be enticed by learning which anti-malaria option I decided on, or what water purification system I ended up with, or how many pairs of yoga pants (two) I'm packing I might be convinced to
The thing I really wanted to mention today is about my plan for this blog from January to April 2011.
What I will do:
- keep you updated on my travels
- share the things I learn
- try to upload photos
- write in whatever format I feel like (i.e. prose, poem, journal, short story, stream of consciousness)
- entertain tangents of all kinds (that's a promise).
- be as accurate as possible with spelling, grammar and punctuation but I have no idea what the computer/ spell-check situation will be, so please cut me some slack :)
- write posts in advance and schedule them to be posted on a future day for your enjoyment
- reply to comments when I can (no promises, but I DO love your comments!!)
- be happy if you share this with other less blog-inclined people who will probably want to get the Lyndia in India updates (thank you!)
What I won't do:
- post everyday
- complain a lot (unless it's funny, life-altering or critical to some other aspect of my 'story')
- make stereotypes
- make promises about how often I'll post
- guarantee there won't be embellishments or some semi-fictional aspects as my creative license permits
Now off to obtain my passport with a shiny new India Visa, some water purification ingredients and anti-malarial pills. Yay! (but not for malaria, I can't cheer for an infectious disease)
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