Here I Go

Wow. I've been planning for this day since November and I still do not feel prepared. At all. Today I embark on what is sure to be one of my greatest adventures. No, it has nothing to do with food...I know you were all thinking it, and I am proud to say that this one is a little bigger. Today I will board a plane. I will likely be frisked and interrogated about why I have a pair of tweezers in my possesion, because only the most hardened criminals carry tweezers--knowing the damage they could cause with such a mighty weapon. Just kidding. I checked them. I will wait hours in line to give my ticket, or get it, or send my luggage through the fancy check-your-bag machine...as you can see I dont do this very often. Then, at 4:50 p.m., I will soar into the clouds headed for Down Under. New Zealand comes first, then Australia. Can you say terrified? Go ahead, say it, because there is no other word to describe what's going on in this crazy head of mine. A month is a long time and I'm afraid I haven't thought this one through. I have always had someone I know (very, very well) right beside me to hold my hand (thanks Sarah), and I am positive I won't have anything like that this time. What if Mom can't handle the garden all by herself? What if Sarah and Mom don't let Dad watch his strange shows or the History Channel (I'm his only ally on these matters)? What if my dog starts losing all his hair....again?! Poor Elvis, all the other dogs will make fun of him. Okay, so I know that the family will do just fine without me, but it doesn't make this any less scary. I have given alot of thought into what I'm bringing back for everyone, however I have neglected to give ANY thought to the fact that this is a big event. I mean, really BIG. But I think it will be a good, BIG change. If I survive it...which I am really counting on. I'm going to see the most amazing things this month, and I hope I am able to record it all for you, here! I am visiting my number one, most desired destination (seriously, NUMBER ONE!!) and through my sheer terror, I am taking in all I can. Or atleast that is the plan. Mark Twain once said, in all his brillliance: "Twenty years from now you will be more dissappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

Thanks Mark! That's exactly what I'll do...