As it turns out...

I just found out - the trip is ON!

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I hadn't heard anything from the passport agency, and considering I needed to receive my passport by tomorrow in order to make my Saturday AM flight, I had assumed it was a no go. Then at 5:15, I got a call saying my passport had been mailed, and I should receive it by tomorrow AM.

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Holy cow. I wasn't expecting that. I was okay with not going, because sometimes things happen for a reason, and I kind of go with the flow, but now that the trip is back on, I'm cautiously excited. I just can't believe I'm going in about a day, and I really had no idea that I was going until just now.

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As soon as I got the message, I packed for the trip. With that done, I feel like I'm completely ready to go (sort of), and I won't be anxious trying to scramble. I still need to do a few things - get a power adapter, make a few arrangements, etc..., but everything will be fine.

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Just a few days ago, things were looking Dicey. My New York trip was in jeopardy, as was the Dubai trip, and I was going to lose all the money for the hotel room in NYC because I couldn't make it the same day as I had originally planned (due to the passport issues).

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I was able to switch the hotel room to the next night after all at no cost, I made it to my meeting on time (miracle - a story for another time), I had an amazingly productive meeting, well worth the trip, a wonderful time in New York, and now I'm headed to Dubai. It looks like it all worked out after all.

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..and if it hadn't, that would have been just fine too...

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In life, it's best not to tense up - it makes it easier to roll with things if you are relaxed. ;-)