I am not sure how they feel... about alcohol.

So today is the big day...  I am all packed, the car is loaded, and I am getting ready to pick up Kay and head to Boston.  

I have had multiple dinners this week with friends and family...   The outpouring of love and support has been incredible.  I cannot thank everyone enough.   Your laughter and excitement is contagious.   And I appreciate it.  

I am so looking forward to the next 5 weeks.  I know that there will be difficult times in the next few weeks, but I have to believe that the impact this trip will have on me will last a lifetime.  If you have an evening or some free time while I am gone and you are curious as to what life might be like for me, check out "Angels in the Dust".  It can be found on Netflix or on YouTube.  

I will post as often as I can while I am gone, but I can make no promises on how often it will be.  I will take as many pictures as I can and share them all as soon as I can.

Single Digits

I cannot believe that in less than 2 weeks I am going to South Africa.  When I first started thinking about wanting to join Kay on her adventure it wasn’t real.  We bought our plane tickets and it became slightly more real, but not quiet real.  Time passed, money was raised and immunizations started (and thankfully are now over) and things started to get REAL.  Now, with only a few days left before I load my suitcases into the car and head to Boston, I am nervous.

I am not nervous to be away from home, although I will miss my dogs tremendously.  I am not nervous to be flying 1/2 way around the world, I love flying, although some might say I am a restless passenger.  I am not nervous to spend time in a place that I have never been before.  I am not nervous to try new things or meet new people or go to bed hungry if I don’t like what is for dinner (yes Woman, I packed all those Cliff Bars).  I can’t put my finger on exactly what I am nervous for... I just am.  Maybe it’s the unknown or saying goodbye or missing the people I love.  Maybe it’s the lack of creature comforts or forgetting something important or checking one more thing off my bucket list.  Maybe I am nervous that I will fall in love with the place, the people, the culture... I have a hard time letting go.  Maybe I feel nervous because I don’t have my tent and sleeping bag and backpack that I have had for so many other adventures.

This adventure is new.  This adventure will be amazing.  This adventure will forever be a part of me.

Epic Shopping Adventure

This past Saturday I spent the day with my mom... shopping.  I didn't realize how many things I needed to get to be ready for this adventure.  Since I hadn't started packing, shopping was certainly the answer.  My mom and I spent the entire day running from store to store to make sure I have everything I need to be happy in S.A.

I will be rocking out in South Africa in just 10 short days... now I just need to pack everything I got this weekend... oh and enough clothes for a month!

I am starting to feel the stress that comes with leaving home... it is safe to say that I do not like: change (that I am not in control of), not having a clear plan, or not knowing what I will be eating.  The lack of information has certainly increased my anxiety/stress levels... I know everything will work out, I know I will have a blast, and I know I am about to have a once in a lifetime experience. 

I like lists.  I like making lists.  I like checking things off the lists once they are done.  I have been in heaven making "to do" lists to get read for this trip... I  haven't been super successful getting things done and checking things off of my lists.  

It's time to get busy!!  Wednesday is packing day.  Fingers crossed for me!