Be Happy Anyway

Be Happy Anyway
From Brave Girls Club

Sunday, January 17, 2010

No Turning Back

That title makes me think of a song we sing at church.

"I have decided to follow Jesus....No turning back, no turning back."

This time, however, it has to do with pushing the finalize button on the Expedia website. I finally purchased tickets to fly to Norway this summer with my friend Peggy.

This was an idea I conjured up a couple of years ago after making contact with a friend from Norway I met 16 years ago when he was traveling around the US. Peggy heard about it, I asked her if she wanted to come, and surprisingly, she did. Ever since then, I have been working (teaching summer school and selling Mary Kay) to pay for this trip. I think if I hadn't made plans with Peggy, I wouldn't have ever had the guts to actually go.

Peggy - World Traveler

Everyday, I would go on line and look at the locations we could explore when we got there. I even have an email that I occasionally pasted ideas into to send to Peggy to let her know what we could do in Norway. I bought a book and CD to teach me some key Norwegian phrases, although most people speak English there. Every month, I would go to Expedia and Kayak and a cornucopia of other websites looking for the best deals on plane tickets. No matter where or when I looked, the prices never dropped unless I wanted to fly last year in July when they had tickets for almost half the price.


Finally, when I decided that the prices were not going to drop anymore. I bit the bullet. I clicked the purchase button. I am certain Peggy was happy to get that email. The problem came when I did push that enter key. My stomach began to churn, and I could hardly breathe. My anxiety began to rise. What if I hate Norway? What if Peggy and I don't get along? What if my friends in Norway and I don't like each other any more? Too many what ifs!
How could a person not love this?! (Haugesund, Norway)

Now the nausea is gone. I am getting more excited, the more I think about it. I am going to post a countdown calendar on my sidebar to count the days until we go. Keep an eye out.

17 comments:

MJ said...

What discipline you have! How exciting!

And then you'll have to plan your next venture! May I suggest Brugges, Belgium?

Julie Tucker-Wolek said...

wowwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!! How amazing!!!!! U should look up a lot of our scrappy friends there!!! I know Gudrun and Gladie live there!!! What a FUN trip this will be! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

McMGrad89 said...

Well, MJ, my daughter is insisting that I take her to Australia. Since I know "someone" there, I think I have an in. :-)

Rieni said...

I'm sure you will love Norway, it is such a beautiful country.

And the suggestion of MJ is a good one, Brugge is an open air museum, it is so wonderfull. (slideshow on my blog)

But first Norway!!!!!!

miruspeg said...

There are absolutely NO "what ifs" in my thoughts Annemarie.
I know we are going to have an adventure of a lifetime.
Love the countdown calendar near the top of your blog....seems like still a way off but I guess we have waited 2 years what is another 5 months.....chicken feed!!
Take care.
Hugs
Peggy xxxx

Shan in Japan said...

I know you are going to LOVE Norway! And once you travel there, the travel bug is going to bite you. Stop by Japan on your way to Australia, sort of break up the trip a bit!:)
Have fun planning and anticipating. Can't wait to read about it, see your pics and hear your impressions!

Michelle Gautreaux said...

o wow, that is going to be fabulous! i did the same thing for our NYC trip, did a lot of research and saved everything on a computer file to later put on our agenda. it really helped, b/c i wasn't confused and breaking out a map every 10 minutes.

Roban said...

It can only be fun... a trip of a lifetime with a friend that I'm guessing can bring laughter at every turn. Peggy is so thoughtful and caring, I'm sure you both will be wonderful traveling companions.

I'm just wishing I could fold myself into one of your bags and stow away.... I'm guessing I won't fit though!

Anonymous said...

I totally understand the anxiety! I had it to when my friend and I went for a trip (only 5 days, to Scotland - which isn't very far) but it turned out to be the most wonderful vacation I EVER had! (and I've been lots of places, near and far) Enjoy the countdown and making plans!!! And thanks for registering to my workshop... I'm looking forward to start with it! (only one-and-a-half week, eeeeekkkk!)

Anonymous said...

I just saw a minibook on Gudrun's blog that she made of her hometown OSLO!!! Some nice photo's up there.. thought you wanna take a look? have a nice weekend!

gudrun said...

Thanks for your nice comment on my blog.
So excited for you, and your trip to norway.
Please drop me a comment or an e-mail if you want to know more about this little, strange country.
gudrun@papirmolla.no
I'm SURE you'll love itwhen you get here. ;) People here are kind, real, honest and friendly - and, yes, we do speak english (at least sort of...LOL)
xo

Debbie said...

Sounds so exciting to me! I've never been anywhere that far away.

MrsPeel said...

well, all I can say is, by experience, is impossible not to get on with Peggy.
you may like or not Norway, but the traveling is the experience, and that is a mind blowing thing (in the best possible way)
The one thing I'm not forgiving you for is not stopping in London either way.
The tickets wouldn't have cost that much more (you would probably get them cheaper if stopping here, actually) and you wouldnt have to spend a penny here...
oh well.....

Rieni said...

I have an award for you on my blog.

Thinkie said...

Norway is FAB! I'll mail you some links about my experiences there. I did exactly the same; practising phrases with a cd-rom to be able to speak just a little Norwegian. But be aware; there are different dialects and languages spoken in different parts of the country! I found that most people there speak English but off course they appreciate it of you try to use their language! And it's just a fun part of preparations!
I hope you'll have a great time there!
p.s.: MJ is right, Brugges is fab!

Anonymous said...

YaY for you!
what an adventure you are going to have.
you. are. a. brave. girl.

Unknown said...

yay to advernturers!! You and Peggy will have a fabulous time :) Australia is a wonderful advernture playground too ;) ;)
PS That is one of my all time fave songs :)

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