Dreams and Insomnia in Sunnyvale

We have a little more than 3 weeks to go and this journey we are about to take is really starting to feel like a dream and someone's going to wake me up any minute now!

The past few weeks, I've connected with new souls and ones that I don't have regular contact with and haven't talk to in quite a while. Every time I talk about what we're doing, it just seems so unreal! It's just unbelievable that this plan has developed to this point. I am more and more grateful for what life has given me, with each and every connection I make, the closer we get to leaving. When entering into a world where you essentially won't know anyone for 10 months, it means so much to make one last connection with loved ones before going. We are so grateful for the people we know and will surely miss them. 10 months seems like forever when you think about it in that perspective.

In the mean time, every time I think of something to do, I have to get it done right then. So, I've been running around like a mad woman. I'm afraid that it'll still be there with yet another billion things to do at the last minute. We almost have a tenant for our house. So, the faster I can get that secured, the more relieved I'll feel. I've also been piling up stuff to take in this new duffel bag that we got, to take the wet suits and "a few other things". It's totally stuffed, and the wet suits aren't even in it yet. Eek! The POD (storage container) is on the driveway. We thought it would be full by now. Every time I start packing something in a box, I have second thoughts because I'll still need it. (See a pattern?) I've changed my mind about selling the Audi for the hundredth time.... I so love that car! (Though I keep telling myself that it's "just" a material posession...)

I haven't been able to sleep at night, thinking about it all. Meanwhile, my brain's fuzzy during the day when I should be getting stuff done. Oh well! I guess I'm "training" for all that jetlag and time changes that are about to come...

Where's MY Ambush?!?!

So first of all, no, we haven't left for our trip yet. (Feb 22nd) But, I thought this was still a worthy "travel tale".

We are currently in Austin, Texas to see Sean's Grandma, Aunt Joanna and Uncle Terry. We haven't visited in about a year and don't want another year to pass by before we do. So, as we arrive in the Austin airport baggage claim area, Caitlin spots Stacy London from TLC's TV show, What Not to Wear. I look over and realize she's also with co-star, Clinton Kelly. I usually don't get so flustered over celebrities, but this is secretly one of my favorite shows....THE only one that I Tivo with the setting "Do not delete". So, after several minutes of gawking and taking candid pictures of them, we pick up our luggage and I head over to the long line at the car rental counter. Meanwhile, Caitlin decides to "wait for me" and evesdrop near where the camera crew and producers are.

It turns out that they are about to ambush someone that's arriving home to Austin. "Somehow" we find ourselves parked near there to check Kailani's temperature, who was just getting over a flu. (Yes I know, we sound like horrible parents to fly our child when she's sick. But, she WAS getting better, it cost an arm and a leg to change flights and this was our last chance to see the Austin crew. So we figured, she had enough energy to fly and we'd park it in our hotel room for a day or two until she was completely clear of germs, and STILL get the chance to have her bond with her Great Grandma Betty, Joey and Terry for a day or two.) Anyway, they end up ambushing this person RIGHT in front of us. Even, almost knocking over our luggage! Sean's on the phone with Dave, who ALWAYS seems to call at the right moment. Or, so it seems to me... Someone will have to catch that episode for us and see if they spot us, as I have a feeling that we'll already gone by then... :-(

After the ambush, we head out to the curb and guess who happens to be there waiting for a ride? Yep! Stacy and Clinton! So, here's my chance to tell them what I wanted to say to them....

"So, I nominated myself, our 2 year old daughter and husband to be on your show. We're leaving on a 10 month long around-the-world trip where we start out in New York City, and I could really use some help figuring out how to pack a wardrobe that will fit into one suitcase."

Stacy says, "Wow! I don't know if even WE could handle that!" And then checks me out from head to toe and says, "Besides, it doesn't look like you need help."

Mind you, I've haven't slept for the past 3 days, tending to a sick baby, and woke up that morning at 6am to leave for the airport. Was she serious?!?!

Oh well! At least I tried.... But, I guess I'm on my own with this one...