I get like this before every trip I take. The day before, or two days before, or (in this case) a WEEK before I am scheduled to go, I become unfocused, mopey, anxious, and aimless. I think it’s because I have difficulty compartmentalizing my life. I can’t do my regular life today and then leave on this fantastic, life-changing journey tomorrow. It isn’t that black and white for me. The vacation has already started, I think, oozing into my today and tomorrow from this upcoming Friday. It works itself forwards and backwards in time. Do I sound as completely whacko as I think I sound?
I’m mostly packed, my house is somewhat cleaner now than it was this morning, and I threw out all the weird, gross stuff in the fridge so Chad won’t eat it when I’m gone. But I’m having a hard time being here, being present in my present. Am I throwing these before-I-go days away?
New Zealand is over 10,000 miles away. It’s about as far away as I can get. Antarctica is super-close to New Zealand, and I’ll see penguins. The time difference is 16 hours. I’m going to hike on a freakin’ glacier! And I’m going to see stars in the sky that I’ve never seen before. New stars, can you imagine? It makes me cry.
It will be a life changing experience! How long will you be gone? I hope I get to see you before you go!
Jill, I will be gone until October 9th! So almost three weeks. I’m planning a birthday/photo viewing get-together on the 13th. You’re all invited, of course.
No, not at all whacko. I get all screwy before trips, too. And it’s totally understandable, with this being such a monumental one. Have a fabulous time and let me know what the stars look like.