Dear Sir...

Today I received email confirmation of my reservation to stay at the Chandra Park Hotel, Chennai, and it was addressed "Dear Sir". I guess Angie is a man's name in India. Or perhaps Anjeet, as Harvey is sometimes prone to calling me. I know Agni means fire in Sanskrit. Anyhow, language and gender issues aside... it has been awhile since I have written. Undoubtedly my days are crammed with "things to do" and the lists that incited them. I have played a trick with myself for the past 5 months whereby I tell myself that the time I have left until departure is slightly less than I actually have. For example: when it was 3 months and 29 days until my departure, I told myself: "It is 3 months! 3 months until departure!!" i told myself. Now it is "one week! one week until I leave for Vancouver!!" This seems to light a fire under me more than the actual 10 days that it really is, but I want to be ready. I want to get everything done up so I can transition slowly and smoothly; enjoying all the little steps along the way, and taking time near the end to just sit, rather than having this huge crunch and procrastination-induced whirlwind of tasks to perform in miracle time, 3 days before I leave. I've been there before. It isn't pretty.
But I just wanted to check in. I have my hotels and guest houses in Chennai booked and confirmed. My Indian visa has arrived, I pick it up at the post today. Hurray!!
The packing of my worldy possessions is going well. I am especially impressed with the two full garbage bags of clothes I have managed to pry out of my tiny little pack rat hand to donate to the Sally Ann. Downsizing. And its actually quite enjoyable. I better get back to work. See you in the mother land and much love to all.