Fairy Tale Christmas

Photo: michel und elbe

When the Post Office Makes You Cry

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Sometimes it has nothing to do with the post office at all. But sometimes it does. I'm under a little stress this week as I countdown the days until I get to visit my friends and family at home. I pride myself on being a very organized person -- perhaps too organized. I over think things and worry about what-if scenarios.

So many things in life are out of your control, so all you can do it prepare. But when life, or the post office, throws a wrench into your plans, it's down right annoying. When something so mundane and simple becomes complicated, exactly when you don't need complication, it can break you.

For example, sending a friend a birthday card. One might write and prepare this birthday a bit early and hold it so it's ready to be mailed to arrive at the appropriate time (just a few days in -- just in case). One might go to a stamp machine and purchase a stamp one has purchased so many times before that one could do it with their eyes closed. But, one might retrieve a blank stamp after depositing 75¢.

Spoiler alert, this is what happened to me at 9:00 this morning. I couldn't believe it. It was so stupid and very unexpected and super annoying. I waited until my lunch hour to walk to the post office and wait in a very long line.

I stated my case.

"This is difficult. I've never seen this."

Tell me about it.

"Do you have a receipt?"

No, of course, I do not have a receipt. You are asked if you want a receipt before the stamp "prints". I normally say no because it seems like a waste of paper. I never expected to be shortchanged by the machine. I suppose I will now always get a receipt.

I tried to argue a bit more, but it was unsuccessful. I started to dictate a complaint letter in my head. Before I got too far, my thoughts were interrupted so that I could pay another 75¢ to actually post the letter.

I tried to think of what else I could do -- or the postal worker could do. Ask a colleague? Check the "black box" of the machine (I gave him a time and a location!)? Check security cameras in the area (it's near a bank!)?

But, really, it was 75¢. It wouldn't even be worth it to send a letter, although maybe I could just drop that in the box with a big note: FOR THE POST OFFICE RE: FAULTY STAMP MACHINES.

It's just the principle of it and the fact that something so simple turned into such an annoying task. Which, might I add, happens quite often in the life of an expat.

I am not really sure if the situation would have been much different at home. Except that I wouldn't have bought a stamp from a machine on the street. I suppose I didn't expect any sympathy, but what if I had saved up my last 75¢ to send that letter home. Too bad.

Oh well, my friend will still get her birthday card and 75¢ will not throw my weekly budget out of whack.

At least I'm thankful the tears didn't come until after I exclaimed, "This is really stupid." and exited the building.

December Crazies

I think I am suffering from December Crazies. Thankfully, or sadly, this has nothing to do with Christmas shopping. I have recently been a little stressed at planning out the remainder of 2012. There are a lot of good things going on, but I'm making myself a little crazy about it.

I have been so busy and I have lots to share here, but it keeps getting pushed to the bottom of the list. My weekly yoga has become even more important because it really shows me how difficult it is for me to stop thinking and just be in the moment.

Mostly I'm suffering from the nervous excitement of preparing for a trip home. I'm hoping things will calm down, but sadly I don't foresee that happening. In the meantime, I will just have to deal with the crazies -- like waking up under two comforters when you only went to sleep with one (?).