Postal Patience

I have anxiously been awaiting a package from my parents. My mom shipped the box on September 8th to Brazil. Included in this precious box are some 3-ring binders (Maz you'll appreciate my love of organization), some of my asthma perscriptions (was just going to write perscriptions or medicine but thought should qualify things more, didn't want to worry anyone) and I'm sure some other fun or goodies tossed in.

When a letter or package arrives when you live overseas, it's like looking in your Christmas stocking. Think back to when you were a child and you anxiously awaited waking up on Christmas morning ready to dig into the gifts. And on that morning, you also got your stocking. You knew there were the things you always received each year (in my family Juicy Fruit gum, a clementine & underwear). But there are things you asked for and lots of fun surprises as well (goofy wind-up toys, a Pez dispenser & other what-its).

It made you feel good. Your stocking was like a sigh of goodness. It's expected, anticipated and it just added to the goodness of the day. It put a smile on the inside as well as on the out.

Receiving a letter or package here is the same feeling. It truly makes my day and many times week. Sometimes they're expected others not but in the midst of all the chaos and newness, that slice of home, the stocking, the familiar handwriting, makes you smile on the inside just like your stocking does.

So, as I said, I've been patiently waiting since September 8th to receive my package. Knowing that it's truly simple things that will make my life easier but also just seeing my mom's handwriting on the outside of the box would be nice. On average it takes about 2 weeks for a package to arrive from the U.S.

But here's where the story hits a snag and my patience must grow.

Today I stopped up in the office by the school's gate to check and see if my package had arrived. Katrina, the secretary, usually emails you when a package arrives for you. I know the packages usually arrive around lunchtime so I thought, just check and see. Maybe I'd be lucky.

No luck today. And honestly, I don't know when my luck will strike because that's what the postal service here is doing. The Brazilian Postal workers union is on strike and has been since September 16th.

A little more information from an Wall Street Journal article I found online about the strike...

"A total of 30 of the nation's 35 postal union locals were on strike as of Wednesday morning, according to a statement by the National Federation of Postal Workers. The striking locals cover about 70% of the nation's 110,000 postal workers. The federation said the strike was set to last indefinitely. Unions are seeking a 41% wage increase. The government made a preliminary offer of a 9% hike before talks broke down Tuesday." (pub. Sept. 16, )

Ugh. Sigh. Man. I'm going to have to wait longer for my package. The strike's been going on for 6 days now. I heard they never last too long but you never can tell. I know my package will arrive. I know it'll come soon but it's hard when your stocking is filled and the reindeer aren't flying tonight because their reindeer needs aren't being met.

Now I get that they need to make sure they have enough feed, rest, vacation days and all of that but Rudolph I'm growing impatient and I want my package now! So, please Brazilian Postal Workers and government, I hope you find an agreement soon, not only for all Brazilians to receive their regular mail but selfishly for me and my package too.