It is a gorgeous night in San Francisco. It has cooled down a to crisp 60 degrees and I am sad to see this mild weather go. Tonight I asked Mark how the weather was in VA, he said good--I went to weather channel.com and read the high 80 and low 90's on the forecast...I freaked out for a second. I have definitely become used to not only the weather here in the Bay, but also wearing my jeans and sweatshirts. I struggle with wardrobe changes sometimes!
Today I headed out the door pre-lunch time to explore the city on this final day. I went down to the wharf, had lunch, and went up to the Golden Gate to take photos and enjoy its splendor. I also ran miscellaneous errands at the post office and such- and treated myself to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. This is perhaps where my emotional state of the day was most comprised, as I had the loveliest meal with Tony at the bar. In town on business, Tony is an investment banker with Sun Trust out of Atlanta, and he grew up in CT about 40 minutes from where I grew up. I liked this man, he was attractive, smart, and thought I was hilarious (all bonuses). Tony and I also shared the first significant conversation I have had in days, so it was nice to talk about my life- his life- the weather- the different cultures in the North and South to East to West...it was fabulous.
I came back to the apartment and starting the perfected practice of....da da dum: packing. Things back into little piles making their way into the suitcase, thinking about what I need in the morning, what I don't need tonight... the list and process could fill up most of this blog entry.
Tomorrow I get to sleep in until about 8:30am, and then I begin the process of getting on the shuttle to the airport, checking in, finding my gate, and avoiding small talk with any passengers sitting next to me. Yes, I Kari Burgess, do not like making small talk on an airplane. I can make small talk just about ANYWHERE, I do so with much joy and stimulation. However, on a plane, in the cramped space--I feel like my boisterous laugh and contagious chattiness gets me into conversation situations I don't like. People start asking where are you from? what do you do? how long have you been away from home? and before you know it, one little conversation just meant to be shared between you and the person seating in seat B has instantly been shared with an entire flight full of other passengers who really don't care about the circumstances that has led you to be on the same flight as them. I would be delighted if tomorrow if I could escape any such conversation on either of my flights back East.
Oh tomorrow. I land at 9:52pm EST. I get to see Mark and BC two of my absolute favorite people (go us: we're going to Thailand together!), and then home. I should hit my door step sometime after midnight, so I expect it to be dark and Gracie to be freaking out all over the place. I will probably look at all of my mail, be mad at myself for not putting new sheets on my bed before leaving, and then try as I may to get to sleep sometime before 3am. It will be a challenge adjusting to the time difference...I am praying it goes smoothly. Despite all my nervous energy and anxiety I am thrilled to be going home. I will be returning to something of my own, my own bed, my own bathroom, the sweatshirt I've missed in the month away, and my favorite pajamas. I am in many ways returning to my very own Kari Land in Virginia. It will be splendid.
I have enjoyed this place and this time. I saw some really fun things, like today this kid begging the parking police dude not to give him a ticket, he had his hands together beginning (it looked like he was praying to his Buddha), just asking for the officer to let him go. I saw a family touring the wharf and at a stop their son fall asleep on the table. They took photos of him, and laughed at him with their English accents...I wanted to mock them. I held back.
I have met great folks like Tony at dinner tonight, Michael at the salon in Vegas, and Maria at the pool at the Green Valley Ranch. I have had comments and questions made in regards to my future life plans from complete strangers I have met along the way. I've been obsessed with some random foods: Oreo's, Baklava, Taquito's, Reuben sandwiches, and Onion Rings. I don't know why the fascination but oh well.
I have not called home enough, but have sent more postcards in the past 4 1/2 weeks then I have in my entire life. I have tried to remember everyone, I am sure with passable success. I have resisted purchasing every last souvenir item I have deemed cute, or that someone I knew would appreciate. I stayed very true to my itinerary, and listened to myself when I felt it was time to move onto the next thing. I have been generally positive, and when people have been dumb or inpatient around me- I have seen my reflection in them of times I was quick to judge or criticize customer service I deemed mediocre.
I have maintained my emotional integrity. I have talked to people I've met along the way about Young Life and the work I did there, and how I am praying that the Lord would continue to show me the way. I have been open about not having a plan, being ok with not having a plan despite my draw in a conservative secular way to be productive. I have been really moved by the homeless population in the cities I've visited, most specifically San Francisco. I struggle with having more then enough, for liking nice things, when I see folks in wheelchairs, sleeping on the street, or just begging for money. I've resisted wanting to save them all thinking that would matter- and despite my desire to look away because it would be easier... I have looked at each man and woman in the eye and tried to smile as I've walked by.
And that's it in a nutshell.
See y'all soon.
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