Heathrow

Well, I made it. Made it to the airport, thru security... twice & now I'm sitting in terminal 5 at Heathrow, one of the most complicated airports I've been to. It's hard to think about. I don't think it's quite sunk in that I'm gone. That everything I know is different and I am now floating through the motions like everyone else with a big secret: I don't know what I'm doing.

Thank God for free wifi, cell phones that can roam & family willing to be woken up at 4 in the morning by a slightly teary and definitely tired little girl.

It really is hard to believe its happening. I can barely think about it without feeling jittery, scared, and alone. I'm not the greatest at making friends, and I think when your mascara is running its one more sign saying "stay away."

I got to see some really fluffy clouds and the sun sort of rising. That was amazing. But now, it's hurry up & wait. It is now 12:25 in London and my connection doesn't depart until 3:05.... the next several hours is ging to go by fast. It really is happening, no matter what I say or don't say, do or don't do. I'm over half way there and losing it. I think an hour & 1/2 of interrupted sleep is catching up with me.

I can say that Heathrow is not only super clean but also, bright which is nice after being in a dark and in a sense damp plane all night.

I'm not sure when it will hit, but I know it will. And when it does, thank heavens I have ways of connecting.

BTW if you don't know already, I now have Skype - you'll be able to contact me at mattieporter

I know these postings are random and somewhat useless, but I appreciate anyone interested in checking in on me. Pictures will post as they're taken, unfortunately, not much for now. The camera isn't the easiest thing to get in & out of the duffle.

My only fear at this point is my 2 checked bags, my life so to speak which are going through and I don't know how well that process usually goes. We'll see when I get to Geneva I suppose...

Goodbye Seattle

Well, this is it. I'm getting everything together and whatever doesn't fit in my 2 checked bags & 2 carry-ons isn't going with me. Skype account is up & running, blog in (semi)full swing. The butterflies are twitching. The next 24 hours is going to be a whirlwind.

For those who don't know & have interest I am flying direct from Seattle to Heathrow. I leave tomorrow evening (Friday 29th) at 6:35 and I'm flying British.

I arrive in London at noon on saturday (GMT) and leave at 3pm for my 1.5 hour flight to Geneva (GMT+1) (So that's +9 hours difference for West Coasters and +6 for East Coast)

I land in Geneva about 5:45. So by 7 I should be through customs & on my way home. (to my new home any way).

I'm terribly excited and just thrilled to have the opportunity, but I can't help but be nervous and insecure about the circumstances. I'm moving everything I have to a country half the world away and leaving my family behind. I haven't flown alone in a long while, either. I second guess everything. So starting tomorrow: No second guesses.

I'm going to miss my Seattle family & promise to be back sooner than later.

Now if only I could get some sleep....
<3

Countdown

We're less than 48 hours to go and I'm both excited and out of my mind. It's hard to believe its only a few hours away. Trying to get those last couple of things done, last items purchased and final people to see. The visa has been issued (my entrance visa anyway) and passport returned.

It's a lot to take in. And hard to accept its really happening. Tomorrow is my last full day in Washington for a long time. Going away is hard. I realized I haven't flown by myself in several years - and with all the changes in the last couple I'm a little nervous to. I know the liquid limits & all that jazz but its just too much to remember.

I'm looking forward to being on the plane, on the road and on my way to a new adventure.

Please forgive the short and randomness of this post and know that soon, if not next posting I'll be writing from abroad!

(Photos of the bon voyage are on their way and I will post as soon as I can)

Lastly, a quick note: Chloe still needs a home. I have a day. If anyone has a space for a kitty, please call me.

Today was great btw, got some new clothes and some new shoes and a new watch and my mommy took me to get a pedicure and now I have cute toes!

So Blessed

I just feel so blessed. Yesterday was my bon voyage party and it was an awesome show of love and encouragement. I am now 4 days from departure. The kindness of people I love showing their support for me to do this amazing thing, this journey of self-exploration and discovery. I received great advice from those I love and their simply being there for me was more than enough to fill my heart with joy, and a little sorrow for leaving.

I almost want a going away party EVERY WEEKEND! Great Seattle band, Exohxo played, my mother sang a song to me, my dad blessed me with voiding my IOU for my laptop and over 50 people came to wish me luck. The food was to die for (and I will be dreaming of the deep fried mac & cheese bites for many months to come) and as always, there was a plethora of good wine to drink. The generosity of my friends & family was astonishing and I am overwhelmed with love. And now I have a nice little starting fund to being my european adventures with.

But throughout the party I felt a drain, not knowing if my visa would in fact come in time and I would be able to go. After feeling rather frantic this morning not being able to reach the visa desk at the consulate in San Francisco, finally I received word that it is being mailed out today. (Let's just hope that it's approved!) Overnight FedEx should be dropping it tomorrow.

Crisis 1 diverted.

Crisis 2: packing! Despite reducing my life by 2/3 I still have too much stuff. Trying to determine what I can and cannot take with me is incredibly hard. I have so much to do. And it all has to fit into 2 checked bags less than 50lbs each and 2 carry-on bags (a duffle and my backpack). Not enough room for everything I think I'm taking. I have a feeling I'm being a little over zealous.

We will have to see what will actually go and what will be forced to stay. One thing for sure is that by Thursday I'm going to be an emotional wreck.

Crisis 3: Cat. Still looking for a home for my little one. It breaks my heart to even think about it.

For now I'm going to try and stay focused and write thank you's before I forget. :)

One Week, One Day

It's getting close. Almost too close for my taste. There seems to still be so much to consider, think, plan, etc. and NO time in which to do so. I need to rethink some of my packing, rethink some of my items. It's so hard to try and figure out what I'll want/need over there.

I saw my doctor for the last time yesterday. He's proud of my taking this on. I'm proud of me too. But I'm also apprehensive. I'm in a fragile state of mind. Not quite sure what will happen when I get there. (I mean I know what will happen work-wise, day plans, etc.) But I don't know what will happen to my attitude.

I'm a little nervous. A lot excited. And overwhelmed with emotions that cannot be controlled. I'm trying to take it as easy as possible. Not over-stress or worry. Things that are out of my control and therefore cannot be changed, will just have to happen.

In the meanwhile, I still have a cat that needs a good home. I still need to purchase a few items for my new life and I need to find a way to do that without loosing my mind.

I'm going into my old office today to do some contract work. It feels weird saying that. For 1.5 years I lived, breathed, thought Sage and now it's been out of my mind for 3 weeks and I'm hoping I haven't forgotten it all!

Today's mission: Go to Costco, buy beer for the party. I can't tell you how grateful I am to have rockstar neighbors who are willing to not only cook but also do all the prep work. Plus, can these boys cook! :)

I should probably get ready to go, but will be thinking about how to settle down my heart so I don't suffer a massive anxiety attack on the way to Switzerland.