carolmeissner ([info]carolmeissner) wrote,
2006-01-20 06:54:00
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  • Mood: excited
  • Music: Peter, Paul and Mary

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Today is the day! After weeks of preparation, Karin, Naveed, Nora and I will be leaving for India. It's early morning, I've been awake since 3:30 AM and already I feel the anticipation building. This will probably be the only time I will travel to India and I want to make the most of the opportunity.

As a true goal oriented person, I already have established my two goals for this trip:

1. I wish to be as loving, kind, helpful and supportive to Karin and Nora as I can possibly be. In that way I can also be as loving, kind, helpful and supportive toward Naveed who hasn't seen his family in seven years.

2. I want to experience India by "being" India. If they eat lamb and goat for breakfast, I will eat lamb and goat for breakfast. If India smells a certain way, I guess I will smell that certain way. If people are hot and sweaty, I will be hot and sweaty (I actually hate being hot and sweaty but I'm going to strive to overcome that). I want to dress in Indian clothing, have my hands painted with henna, and live in an Indian home. And I want to be gracious!

Of course, I also want to have fun, take lots of pictures, laugh, smile, and feel grateful simply to be alive. I also want to learn more about myself and others. And when I return, I hope to come back kinder, wiser, and with even more compassion and understanding than I presently have.

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  • 30 comments

Anonymous

January 20 2006, 14:06:10 UTC 6 years ago

india trip

this is from your wonderful office staff--you will have a wonderful time and we are so happy for you!!! we didnt hear the music though--how do we do that? everything will be fine here while you are gone ---dont worry about anything---matt has already reminded us that he is in charge!! ha ha ---have a great time ---we are looking forward to checking this site often!! love, anna, jean, and beth

[info]carolmeissner

January 20 2006, 14:14:57 UTC 6 years ago

Re: india trip

Dear Anna, Jean, and Beth,

You were my first group of visitors! How exciting. Thanks for your encouraging words. It feels wonderful to have such fine people to work with! I'm sure Matt did let you know he was in charge! :)Karin and Naveed are coming to pick me up around lunch time and then we are off! Love, Carol

Anonymous

January 20 2006, 14:20:25 UTC 6 years ago

Dear Carol,
I'm so happy for you. I remember when I went to China. It was a trip I will never forget. Enjoy this trip of a life time.
All is well here. See you when you return.
*Cynthia
P.S. Take lots of pictures!

[info]carolmeissner

January 20 2006, 14:28:28 UTC 6 years ago

Thank you

Dear Cynthia,

Thank you for your kind words. One of the advantages of us knowing each other for a long time is our shared history. I remember when you and Steven got married, how you went to China, and then I also remember seeing the pictures you took while you were there! What wonderful pictures they were, too.
Carol

Anonymous

January 20 2006, 14:45:30 UTC 6 years ago

No worries

Carol - loved your first entry. We are fine here and don't want you to worry about anything going on here. I'm sure we can add extra ISS personnel to take care of the line-up outside Matt's and Dan's offices....(only kidding - by the way, here's some shorthand you might find in blogworld: jk=just kidding, btw=by the way). So it's a lovely sunshine day which bodes well for the start of your journey. Bon voyage! - Maura

[info]carolmeissner

January 20 2006, 15:33:51 UTC 6 years ago

Re: No worries

Thanks, Maura, for your comments and good wishes. I am ready for this trip to actually start! BTW, I think you'd be a great addition to our ISS staff, jk. Actually, I'm know all of you help out in your own unique ways to make ISS better for adults and students. Thanks for your support. Carol

Anonymous

January 20 2006, 16:44:22 UTC 6 years ago

Hi Carol!!
Have a wonderful trip. When you get to the airport is the camel going to meet you with your luggage. If so, please send us a picture of that. Have a safe trip. Talk to you soon.

Anna

[info]carolmeissner

January 20 2006, 23:54:16 UTC 6 years ago

A Camel!

Dear Anna,

I can't imagine what the airport will be like but thinking of me getting on a camel is a great image. Wish it would actually happen! Enjoy your trip too. It's been fun so far. Love, Carol

Anonymous

January 20 2006, 17:49:35 UTC 6 years ago

Have FUN....

Carol,
I did not see you yesterday..... Have a great time on your trip. Enjoy everything...... I can't wait to see all of the pictures that I know you will take.

Donna

[info]carolmeissner

January 20 2006, 23:52:36 UTC 6 years ago

Re: Have FUN....

Thanks, Donna, for writing. I am so excited about going on this trip and expect to learn a lot! (about myself and the country) This is bound to be an experience I will remember all my life. Carol

Anonymous

January 20 2006, 18:02:54 UTC 6 years ago

Hi Carol. I am so excited for you, and I am thrilled you will be immersing yourself in the culture of India however difficult it may be. I could do the "sweaty", but goat for breakfast? You go girl! I wanted to wish you a wonderful and exciting adventure, and am looking forward to each episode along the way, as well as tons of pics when you return. Lots of love. We will miss you, yet will "hold down the fort".
Kathy S. :)

[info]carolmeissner

January 20 2006, 23:51:06 UTC 6 years ago

Think of the weight I'll lose...

Dear Staats,
I ate ice cream last night before leaving on this trip already thinking of the weight I'm hoping to lose! (Also to celebrate having sweets which I hear are mighty slim in India). I'll keep you posted. Thank you so much for your encouragement, bet there will really be times where it's needed. Love, Carol

Anonymous

January 20 2006, 20:33:16 UTC 6 years ago

Hi Carol-while you're chewing on the goat, try to remember the prime rib from last Friday!!Have the best trip ever...this blog thing is pretty cool! Pat A.

[info]carolmeissner

January 20 2006, 23:47:22 UTC 6 years ago

Give me Prime Rib!

dear Pat, I think the food piece is going to be interesting! I have to remember that attitude is almost everything! Thanks for writing. We sure had a nice time eating out last week! I always enjoy your company. Love, Carol

Anonymous

January 20 2006, 21:25:05 UTC 6 years ago

You go sister-in-law! You are always cracking me up (the "being India" part)! You consistently manage to find new ways to impress me. I believe you will return kinder, wiser and with more compassion & understanding. That is just one of the things that makes you so terrific -your constant willingness to grow and embrace new things and people. We wish you & the family safe & fun filled travels & look forward to sharing your experiences upon your return. Lots of love & hugs to you all :) P, D, T, K

[info]carolmeissner

January 20 2006, 23:44:58 UTC 6 years ago

Greetings from Long Island

Dear Family,

We are having dinner with Aunt Maggie and Uncle Iniyat and they send you their best wishes. Thanks, Debbie, for making me laugh. We are good for each other! Bet I will have lots of stories to tell when I return. This will be fascinating, I'm sure. Love, Carol

Anonymous

January 20 2006, 21:47:31 UTC 6 years ago

Missing you already!

Dear Carol,
Wow, such technolgy! You remind me of the Carole King song, "So far away, doesn't anyone stay in one place anymore? You're so far away..." We're praying for you and yours everyday. I know the plane ride will be f o r e v e r but then it will get better. Please remember that scenery pictures are nice but it's the people we remember best. I'm looking forward to reading your blog and keeping in touch. Our love to you dear sister, Paul & Barbara

[info]carolmeissner

January 20 2006, 23:42:12 UTC 6 years ago

Re: Missing you already!

Dear Barbara and Paul,

We are visiting with Aunt Maggie and Uncle Iniyat and they send you their best wishes. So far the excitement keeps me awake and enthusiastic. Thank you for writing to me. This is going to be quite an adventure and I appreciate your thoughtfulness. We are doing well and we've already been together for 8 hours! Only 23 more hours to go before we arrive in Hyderabad.

Much love,
Carol

Anonymous

January 20 2006, 22:37:24 UTC 6 years ago

Dear Carol, I couldn't wait to get home and send off this message. You so deserve this and I am sooooo happy for you! I misss you already.Technology is such a wonderful thing and you are such a special person to take the time to share this with all of us. I need pictures and lots of them especially the painted hands and cultural dressing. The goat thing sounds interesting but I think i'll stick to our rotisserie chicken, although when I lived in Panama I used to eat iguana on a stick and it did taste like chicken. I am so excited for your next entry and hello to Karin, Naveed and baby Nora.
Love, Therese

[info]carolmeissner

January 20 2006, 23:38:47 UTC 6 years ago

Iguana!

Dear Therese,

I think iguana would be difficult to try but I better get used to trying new things. You are right though, the rotisserie chicken we usually eat is easy on the taste buds. Your kind words send me encouragement! Thanks. Love, Carol

Anonymous

January 20 2006, 23:15:35 UTC 6 years ago

Hi Carol
Love you first message. I am so excited for you. Please know we miss you already but what a wonderful trip you are going to have. Enjoy each moment. You will have so much fun I just know that you will. You are a beautiful person and now you are on a beautiful vacation. Enjoy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love Joanne

[info]carolmeissner

January 20 2006, 23:35:48 UTC 6 years ago

Hi Joanne,

Thanks for your encouragement, Joanne. You and I have been friends for a long time! I know you wish me well. Thank you, I promise to take lots of pictures and upload them. Love, Carol

Anonymous

January 21 2006, 02:01:56 UTC 6 years ago

lets chat about your trip!

Hi Carol,
This is my first experience with a blog. I hope I'm clicking in all the correct places.
What part of India will you be traveling to? I'd like to look at a map and see where you will be traveling. Will you be staying with family? Going to India is quite an adventure. The culture is very different and it is so far away! It should be quite an experience. I'm eager to hear about your experience there. When I think of India, I think of Nepal and Mt Everest. I still dream about doing some trekking in that area. I know you care about Haviland and your staff...but once you step off that plane your mind will be miles away. Enjoy being miles away...mentally and physically! :) Marieta

Anonymous

January 21 2006, 04:21:38 UTC 6 years ago

Re: lets chat about your trip!

leave it to marieta to refer to climbing mt everest as "doing some trekking"!!! you are too funny, marieta!! carol, just in case you get any ideas, please don't go climbing mt everest----we have not been to the gym in like 2 months and i don't think you will make it!!!! actually YOU probally would make it, but the lack of oxygen up there is really bad---you would not like it!! just stick around town!! beth

Anonymous

6 years ago

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Anonymous

January 21 2006, 12:29:19 UTC 6 years ago

Enjoy

Enjoy, enjoy - as you said, a trip of a lifetime. Thanks for sharing the blog with us-will look forward to reading it each day. You have always been kind and supportive, so you don't have to worry about working on that goal - Susan A. sure appreciated your words of wisdom (she is home and doing ok-spoke to her yesterday). Love, Marianne

Anonymous

January 21 2006, 22:06:57 UTC 6 years ago

Nora

Trust me to want to know all about Nora when you are on a foreign adventure! Yes, it has been that long! Have a wonderful trip and catch me up on your children and grandchild when you get home. Love, Helen

Anonymous

January 22 2006, 03:37:21 UTC 6 years ago

Just Desserts...

Hi Carol

Apparently I am a week behind. I thought you were leaving NEXT Friday!!! So when I saw you in the lobby afterschool on Thursday I should have wished you a joyful and safe trip instead of teasing you about the boy in the bathroom. Well, better late than never. Sometimes it seems as if in life our load is too heavy to bear, and all the weight of the world is on our shoulders, and we wonder when is it going to be enough, and we ask when will it ever end, and we wish we could just catch a break, just a little one so we can catch our breath and bob to the surface... then (magically) it happens, and suddenly the wait is worth the weight. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!!!!!

:) Kathryn O.

Anonymous

January 23 2006, 14:07:13 UTC 6 years ago

Good Morning

Hi Carol
I love reading about your adventures each day. It sounds like a country I would love since you know I love COLOR!!!!!!!!!! and pink and purple are my favorite. Enjoy the shopping. WOW!!!! clothes made just for you. I remember when my sister in law was in Japan they made the clothes just for her. I guess we have this in the USA but probably to expensive. Continue to have a great time and enjoy all of your trip.
Please do not worry about getting back to me. Just take lots of pictures and you can show us all when you get back. We will have an India party at my apartment. You can show us all your clothes and pictures.
Take care my wonderful friend and sent my love to Karen, Naveed and Nora.
Love Joanne

Anonymous

January 24 2006, 02:39:50 UTC 6 years ago

way too cool for ya, chief!!!.....live it up!
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