Let's Depart!

Last night I took many steps to ensure that I would wake up at 6 AM this morning, and no later. I wrote a note to my family: "PLEASE WAKE GAB UP AT 6 AM AND PESTER HER UNTIL SHE HAS MADE IT INTO THE KITCHEN. THANK YOU." I found the most upbeat song I could, and set that song to ring on my iPhone at 6:00, and for every minute after that until 6:09. I also set alarms on my actual alarm clock. 

Why go to all this trouble?

I still had to pack, blog, and do a few household chores before leaving--I also knew I would not be home in the evening.  

So when my mother, father, sister, and two alarms joyously wakened me this morning, I shot out of bed with a grand smile and skipped into the kitchen. Ha--I wish that were true. It actually took me a good thirty minutes to fully waken enough to realize I had things to do!

I spent the first half of the day assembling various necessities on my bed, and crossing them off my packing list. Half-listening to Pandora, I placed bedding, clothes, and other objects into my extremely large suitcase. Only when I completely stuffed it did I realize the dimensions might be too large, even if it weighed below the maximum allowance. I was a tad worried that I might have to pull everything out and start over with another smaller suitcase, but the measurements were fine.   

My mom and I then ran errands, most of which involved pulling together the last few things I still needed. At 4:30, we realized we only had about forty-five minutes to make and eat dinner before leaving again. Amazingly, my mom had gnocchi, fish and salad on the table in half an hour and we were able to scarf it down just in time.

My parents and I witnessed my younger sister Amelia in her opening night of Alice in Wonderland. It was colorful and humorous, and I think the entire audience left feeling happy. I certainly left feeling so.  

Now that I am sitting in front of my computer reflecting on my day, I realize I haven't even begun to think about my leaving for two and a half weeks. I've been tunneling through my to-do list the past few days and consequently have not made time to stop and absorb what is happening. 

My Brain: "Can we leave now? Oh... It's only 9 at night. I have to sleep now with this excitement?"

I hope to "absorb" in the next few hours, and post about my "absorption" in the next day or two.