Feeling the Pressure!

This morning, across the US, we are waking up, some of us are going to work, others are sleeping-in, and another 521 of us are freaking out because in 16 days we will be getting on a ship to circumnavigate a planet that is home to 6,777,160,439 people (or for a more exact number click this link: http://www.census.gov/main/www/popclock.html).

I started to pack last night. Seriously this time. Not just browsing Lonely Planet Forums or looking through old photo albums from my mother’s SAS voyage in 1978. Yes, last night I mustered up the courage to look that oversized bright green rolling duffel bag in the eye and say, “I’m not intimidated by you!”

Well, it didn’t actually happen that way. Instead, I decided to toss every piece of clothing that I am half-willing to wear in public on my double bed. This way I could not go to sleep until I picked up each individual pair of j.crew chino shorts or worn-out black leggings (or whatever it was!) off my mattress and decided whether it was going to be stuffed in that awkward duffel or be shoved back into my dresser drawer.

Mom – if you are reading this right now, I know that you are laughing. For the rest of you reading this, you should know that around midnight… I gave up. There now rests very large pile of confused clothing on the carpet at the foot of my bed.

In an attempt to remain an optimist, I shall make myself celebrate the small victories in life:

1.  I did make it through about ¾ of my Mount Everest of clothing!
   
2. Because my older sister is so full of wisdom from her own SAS voyage (summer ’07) – I have officially decided to make her bedroom my “packing room.” Her floor has become a collage of brightly colored t-shits, necessary footwear (yes, I caved – I now own Chacos), and several other (as SAS suggests…) “conservative, drip-dry, lightweight” clothing selections.
   
3.  After Mom and my Wal-Mart outing (that consisted of 2 trips because we ran into so many people we knew the first time, we had to go back several hours later to avoid familiar faces) – I am now the proud owner of the “compact leather case of any over-the-counter medication you could possibly need on a trip around the world.” I am very excited to be this prepared. If you are reading this, and will be on the MV Explorer with me – for any medical emergencies feel free to find me on board.
   
4. My supply of daily contacts arrived today. Thank goodness! I will now be able to actually SEE the world!

That is it for now. If you feel like listening to some really excellent music, might I make a suggestion? Yes. NEEDTOBREATHE is the name of the band; Washed by the Water is the song. Here is an acoustic version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYGhMGYPQYQ