What Stress Invokes

I rarely make lists. I do not own a day planner or appointment book of any kind, nor do I keep a calendar. With just my life to track, my memory and an occasional sticky note or two have largely sufficed. Every few years, though, an exception can emerge, and apparently 2010—with a transfer for me to Korea in its record—is one of those exceptional years. Several restless nights and one migraine later, I now have a calendar in place for the month of May!


April 30 Official orders arrive via e-mail for my transfer from Yokosuka to Seoul. (In the military world, nothing can proceed without these in hand.)

May 1, 1730 Caroline's baby shower at the O'Club

May 3 Fill out paperwork requesting shipment of household goods

May 5, 1500 Sign paperwork for shipment of household goods and confirm pack-out dates

May 8, 1100 Celeste's baby shower at Tsubaki Tower Party Room

May 10, 1730 Hair appointment, NEX Salon

May 11, 1400 Moving company preview appointment (A representative comes to the house and checks out how much stuff is lodged therein.)

May 13, 1430 Caroline's baby shower at school

May 14, 1430 Termination Briefing (sounds ominous, huh) at the Housing Office

May 15, 1400 Pedicure, NEX Salon

May 24 Pack-out for Unaccompanied Baggage (350 pounds, fast-tracked)

May 25, 0730 Appointment at Autoport to have belts on car checked (I have a buyer for my aged car--$500--but something in its internal workings has begun sporadically squeaking!)

June 1 Pack-out for Household Goods
           Take up residence in the Navy Lodge on base

 And still to schedule . . .

• washer/dryer pick-up (furnished by the US Navy)
• cancellation of cell phone service
• cancellation of Internet service, removal of cable, return of router
• utility meter readings and final payments
• final check-out with landlord and return of deposit