Prep Time

There are an unbelievable amount of things that go into a successful trip. An truly mind-blowing amount of to-do lists, packing, re-packing, advice, shopping, you name it. For me, packing for a trip always has a hint of irony in it. I am so careful to make sure I have thought of EV-ER-Y-THING, and then I will arrive at my destination only to find out that I have completely blanked on something important--say, a toothbrush. Now, I am not one to loose much, and I try very hard to remember everything I have to remember, but sometimes I just feel that 16 years of accelerated schooling have made my brain so crammed-full of information (how I remember the Pythagorean theorem but not where I put my keys, I will never know) that I simply cannot fit anymore in there. It is a running joke with my father that I am going to get a post-it note tattooed on my hand so that I will have an organized space for my to-do-lists on my hands, which are one of the only things that keep me sane and on a somewhat-regular-if-always-hectic schedule. The point here is that I am so chock-full of random info that I need lots of lists and lots of help in order for a trip to go off without a hitch.

For example, my upcoming trip to Israel. I am leaving in approximately 13 days, and to this point have not been able to organize my way. I am scared. I am TERRIFIED--and it has left me immobilized. I am at a roadblock--how on earth am I, the notorious overpacker, going to be able to pack for 6 months in a foreign country, with clothes that have to range from serious hiker-style to beachwear to professional worker, in two less-than-50-lb suitcases? This has me stumped. This has me stressing and snapping and totally focusing on other aspects of my life than this impending trip. Let me clarify--I am totally jazzed about this trip. I cannot wait to go on this wonderful, crazy, life-altering adventure. It is NOT the trip that I am so scared by. It is the preparation. What happens if something goes wrong? I am quite obviously very deeply scared by this, since I am having recurring nightmares of me forgetting my passport in lieu of my poodle. Both start with 'p', right? It can work, right?

The irony so far in this is that I have been quite unwilling to accept help. I have been balking at the thought of people helping me clean my room, or helping me look for power converters. The kicker is, I have no idea why. What am I waiting for? This remains to be seen.

Through all my attempts, trials, mishaps, successes, adventures, and shenanigans, I will be updating this blog. To keep you informed, to keep me sane. Perhaps I can shoot a to-do list or two your way--you are probably better at them than I (though not for lack of effort, I promise). I can promise, however, that you will be with me through it all, whether you ask for it or not. So, here's to a fabulous trip, a bearable packing experience, and leaving Kirra at home :)