Amulets for my Adventure

My bags are packed...

I forgot what it's like to head out on an evening flight. I didn't want to wear my travel clothes all day long so I had to scrounge through what was left in my closet to keep me warm...Now I'm kind of regretting not having packed the cowboy boots to properly represent Texas while in Brazil....

I had a last lunch at the incomparable Veggie Heaven with my boyfriend, and my friends Chutney, Abder and Samini...mmm, bubble tea, Protein 2000, tangerine mushrooms, some dish with pineapple in it. What more could a girl want for a farewell meal shared with friends?

"Are you prepared?" asked Chutney, "Have you packed an umbrella?"

"Yes," I said, "I have an umbrella."

"Well," then she said with a nod of her head, "You're set."

Later, Abder came in with a second travel umbrella for me in UT orange. Now I'm doubly prepared...

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I head to the airport in a little over an hour. Heating up more water for tea on the stove. Wearing the beautiful bracelet given to me by my friend Chutney to help me remain grounded while setting off to places unknown.

I'm feeling that mixture of emotions, unsurprising really. Excitement. Nervousness...some sadness as I say goodbye to wonderful people...the hardest will be my boyfriend when we finally hug goodbye at the airport.

Adventures await. I'm hoping for the grace to balance openness to the unknown with caution about the unknown...kind of like the saying, "Trust in God, but lock your car."

Stay tuned for updates as soon as I get access to internet in Brazil...

Packing in Anticipation of How Much I Dislike Packing

Today, I am re-visiting one of my New Year's resolutions:

* Be 95% packed and ready to go a few days before my flight leaves for Brazil

Packing is always so much more overwhelming than I anticipate. Even when I anticipate that it will be bad.

For the past week I have been slowly slogging away at it, in between wonderful visits with old and new friends, visiting new places (such as Bossa Nova, where I tried a fabulous fruit smoothie with ginger), re-visiting old ones (Kerbey Lane on South Lamar), seeing movies (Avatar)...

Making a pile of "potential" clothes for Brazil and then dividing them in half. Taking a few more out of the pile the next day. Then adding a t-shirt (or two) I just had to buy from Target.

Slowly checking things off my list of things to buy: shampoo & conditioner, Advil, Uno (when it doubt, teach kids how to play cards), Extra Strength Hua Tuo Medicated Plasters, Emergen-C and God knows what else.

Figuring out what art supplies, jewelry, books, photographs I deemed impossible to live without during the next for months (I have some interesting ideas of "necessary" items).

And so after returning from a lovely evening of catching up with two girlfriends, I decided it was time to see if the massive pile of stuff accumulating on the futon would fit in my suitcases...I rolled up all the shirts army-style, just as a friend returning from boot camp taught me. I started feeling hopeful.

And, amazingly, everything fit. With room to spare. Woo hoo!

Even my beloved yoga mat is in there, wedged diagonally, taking up a lot of space in the larger suitcase. It looks pretty reasonable considering how long I'll be gone.

Now, the reality check is that there is a bit more to add. And I haven't weighed the bags yet either. I also feel like a total overly prepared dork. Still, I'm feeling some weight off my shoulders as I anticipate my last 4 days in Austin.