Organizing and Preparing for Change

 Making Sense of Chaos. That's what our minds do naturally, to provide a sense of security and safety.  

One recurring dream I've had lately is packing and vacating a hotel room. I had only travel two weeks ago, nearly. I know what this entails. It means, preparing for what I need and ensuring that when I leave my temporary lodging place, that I DON'T forget anything.  Being a seasoned traveler, I left things like hair brushes and chargers and those can be costly.

The day before, I was reading a magazine on organizing and de-cluttering. This was no accident. It manifested in my dream in the form of being orderly. We carry so many things in our life which we think we need, causing us more grief sometimes because we don't know where we put things, and we are drowned in the stuff we own.

In my dream, I was carefully organizing and sorting things by likes and likes. This makes me work and move faster. I was ensuring I didn't leave anything behind. When I found things I had been given, I was angry I waited until the last day to pack this because now I have to think about it.

As a seasoned traveler, one thing you don't want is to leave stuff until the last minute which adds stress, extra time, and chaos to your travel day. An example: I may need makeup and toiletries the day I leave my home, but I actually have spares so I can pack those things the night before.

Also, we sometimes buy more than we can bring. This leaves me with bags and bags of stuff and who wants to travel holding extra bags? Packing everything and keeping what you need, light, is key. You've seen those people with 5 purses I'm sure. So it can be frustrating to have more than you can handle.

In the end, it seems we leave with our spirits and everything physical is left behind. For sure, I'm ready for change, whatever this recurring means. Finding a new job. Leaving legacy behind (photos/memories/recipes). It's just time to let go. 

The Hot Seat

After relocating to DC for nearly three months, I can see what the seat of Washington DC is looking like. And how my mindset was molded to this ideal, growing up in the not so distant city of Germantown, Maryland. 

This is the hot seat. This is where all the laws are passed, where all the decision making is made. This, boy and girls, is the heart of the building of our Nation. 

This week I am attending a week-long training called Washington Tradecraft. Although I am the minority in the audience of Consular, Overseas bureau officers, Political, Economic, Department of Homeland and the like...I am learning about the pressing issues in Washington, see who the key players are, and how to get the attention of those power-making people. Yes, I say people because it is a group consensus. No one person can make it all happen for you.  I guess this is what is meant by “government of the people, for the people and by the people.”

Wow, gives us a different perspective to be in the hot seat in the middle of the workings of our government. Don’t we all wish we were important? 

Bottom line. Things move fast with Congress. If you are not making it a pressing issue, it won’t be. You want change, make it urgent. You wanna keep up? Better be responsive and respond to that email. Oh, yeah and FaceTime is important if you want to survive in a world that associates names and faces, not “handles” and text messages. 

You are in the hot seat. Make your statement now if you want the word to get out, by next year. 

The Stresses of Traveling

They weren’t lying when they said that traveling is stressful. Since I’ve been with the State Department I’ve had my share of stress during travel to include but not limited to: forgetting two of my sweaters at some places, forgetting a mouse, forgetting chargers, for getting food in the refrigerator, forgetting peoples names, and losing luggage in in route to Basrah, losing luggages in cabs. Of course I got them all back eventually. I just hope now I won’t be losing my mind. Lol!!  Although I feel like I left it in Florida.

For this short time I am inviting you into my world of traveling. I just traveled with my daughter who doesn’t go on plane rides, or travel much. I told her the plane was shaky because there were clouds in the sky and it has particles in it which causes plane to shake. I also told her that the pilot was a rookie pilot who didn’t know how to land the plane or fly it comfortably for passengers. Although the weather was funky but still I have had my share of flights just not on West Jet lol!!

The good side about getting this much travel is that I know what to expect. Which is to expect the unexpectable (tears of laughter).  One, knowing exactly when to turn airplane mode, when door has closed. Knowing to put seat up and tray tables back before taking off. Knowing exactly when a plane is about to land. Know the exact approximate time it takes to board and unboard the plane. 😂  Knowing the procedures for security check I can do it with my eyes closed. Knowing exactly what a hotel needs when you check in.  Knowing a good hotel from a bad hotel. Knowing a good bed from a bad bed.  Knowing that taking a carry-on is the best way to travel without waiting and packing smarter. There is probably more I can’t think of at this time. Last but not least, finally overcoming the fear of flying.

So I hope you enjoy reading and I invite you to travel more. Nothing can replace the eyes or experiences of a world traveler.  It widens your world just a little bit.