Somehow we ended up here with five days before departure. How that happened, I have no idea. I think I fell into a black hole at some point in the last month and time just went out the window. Do black holes have windows? They do now.

So less than a week. I still have a million things to do before I leave and I keep making lists to pretend that I am organized and so that I won't forget things, but then I misplace the lists because I'm not used to making and following lists. There's a flaw in this plan somewhere, but oh well. I figure as long as I make it on the plane the first try this year, I'll be doing just fine. If you followed my trip last year, you'll remember that was a pinch of an issue for us. Oops.

My pack finally came in last week and to say I was excited would be the biggest understatement of my life. I ripped it out of the box and immediately put it on and proceeded to wear it everywhere for the next half hour.

I need to check the mail? 

Let me see what it's like to wear a pack in the front yard. 

The dog wants to go outside? 

Let me see how this feels in the back yard. 

My laundry is ready for the dryer? 

Let me see how maneuverable this pack is while performing domestic activities. 

My most shameful moment was this bathroom mirror selfie I took while wearing it. What should probably be even more shameful is the fact that I'm sharing it with you all right now. meh. life.

Then I proceeded to post it to Instagram out of sheer unmanageable excitement.
So that happened.

All excitement aside, I have been having a pinch of a life crisis the past week or so. I feel semi-confident in saying that it has been dealt with and managed though- I think. It just hit me all at once last week that all of the things that I have spent so long preparing for and dreaming of doing are finally happening. All this time I've been saying "I can't wait until.." and now that the until is here, it's a pinch overwhelming. To know that somewhere that I visit this summer will probably be the place I move to in 2 or 3 years for my first job in an International School as a Counselor is a large bite to swallow. At some point my life started happening and I think I missed the email or postcard or memo on that one. However it was sent out.

At the end of the day though this is my dream. Aside from becoming a Counselor in a school, traveling is the only thing I have ever truly had a passion for. So here's to chasing all of the dreams!

I look forward to seeing all of my fantastical friends and family before I leave. I imagine you will be glad to get rid of me for a while, but don't get too comfortable though because I will be back at some point. The same goes for you too, America- stay classy in my absence. 

Until the next time..