Time to Send Some Mail - September 24, 2011

With Express Mail large envelope packed, addressed, customs paperwork, and check book in hand I headed to the Gateway Postal Station, USPS.  I had done the research, followed up with the “in-person” information gathering, and felt  ready and capable of getting this envelope to Jen for her birthday.  I had followed the postal clerk’s instructions, but  knew that my estimated weight might not be accurate so I was anxious to see how close to the 2 lb. estimate we had come!

Went into the station, got in line, waited my turn, and began the transaction to ship internationally.  What an experience.  Nothing, well at least very little of the information I had gleaned online and been given for Express Mail service and a 3-5 day delivery by the postal clerk I had worked with two days earlier was confirmed by today’s clerk.  In fact,  this clerk voiced her disgust of my using an Express Mail envelope for the shipment.  I shared I was using for the Express Mail and its 3-5 day delivery serve. She disagreed that I needed to use this Express Mail envelope for Express Mail, but allowed me to go ahead and use it.  Weighing the envelope we found out that I was 4 ounces over 2 lbs; so the $38.95 fee would be $42.70.   I pondered for only a split second, because at this point only four additional dollars to get these birthday wishes to Macedonia in time for Jen’s birthday seemed like a small hurdle!  Everything that was in that envelope I wanted her to have!

So, sealed and paid - off went the envelope to Tetovo for Jen’s birthday!

My desired outcomes and expectations were:

1) 3 to 5 day delivery
    Now, let’s do the math together.  September 24 was Saturday, so I didn’t  count it as day one.  September 25 was Sunday, so I didn’t count it either.  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday counts to three for me.  I actually hoped the package did not arrive on the day three, the day before her birthday, so Thursday (day 4) her birthday seemed feasible and Friday (day 5) the day after her birthday also seemed acceptable!   This “priority” form of USPS mail service came with a tracking number and I could track online to watch the progress of this birthday mail.

2) Package would be delivered to Jen’s office
    As opposed to Jen having to leave campus and go to the Post Office to pick up the package, I had selected this form of mail so that it would be delivered to her office.  Jen had not yet been to a post office and did not have her own transportation, so it was very important to me that the packet be delivered to her at her office.

3) All fees for the shipment had been prepaid, so that Jen did not have any charges to pay to receive the package.

Those were my desired outcomes and why I selected Express Mail service, the envelope used was an Express Mail envelope, and the $42.70 was paid to mail the envelope. 

Oh my word, how exciting to have the packet on its way!  How awesome to be able to select the form of mail that would produce my three desired outcomes!  Now, all I needed to do was muster up the patience to stay quiet, to not share with Jen that there was a packet coming!  It would be an awesome birthday surprise!

The package did not contain anything valuable, irreplaceable, unique, or rare but it did contain birthday wishes from friends and family and a few birthday treats.  Her room in the dorm is very white and has an institutional look, so the package included a few light weight things from home that might bring color and cheer to her white walls.

The package contained our connection to share her birthday!  My joy was abundant!