:(

It doesn't fit. I have tried and tried and it doesn't fit in my backpack. The weight is not a problem. That is saying the weight limit the airline gives me is no problem. I am under that amount. The weight recommendation that the travel people give is half that of the airlines. There is no way I would meet their number. If it was a suitcase then it would work. As stupid as it may sound, I better have to walk a lot with this bag or else I will not be happy that I could have brought a suitcase. Was a "suitcase" actually for suits at one point? I really don't know what to do except unpack yet again and try some other way. I have run out of ways and hopefully a night's sleep will give me a different perspective, hopefully. Good night.

Into the bag

Well it is packing time. I first laid it all down on the floor. I cleared the floor first. I packet it once and it didn't work at all. I took it all apart and started from the beginning. The second time worked a lot better. I got almost everything in the pack. It wasn't exactly organized but it was on the right track. Then I realized I didn't pack any shirts. None. Well now I am unpacking again. Let's see what happens this time. I do have a check list.

Packing it up

So now it is time to pack. Usually when I go on a trip, I pack the night before. South East Asia and Israel are different. One month takes a little more time to pack successfully. I have everything on my floor, spread out like the pieces to a puzzle. This puzzle must fit in my pack and airline dimensions. I think the 44 pounds will be easy but the combined inches will be hard. Actually I have no idea what all this stuff weighs. I am packing this in a weird way that is probably not very efficient but hopefully it works. Using a backpack is for specific trips and I really don’t know if this will be a trip of that type. I hope that a backpack is a need (must) and not a recommendation because it has come down to the time where I no longer have a choice. I am actually getting concerned and actually troubled about this.


Well everything is checked off on my list, big list, except for maybe printing off my family pictures and finding Arizona quarters. I only have three and would like fifteen. I am debating whether to get a $100 in quarters and see what I can find then return them to the change machine. I would like to also get something regional for a gift to take but I haven’t found anything that isn’t expensive.

I have asked some people what they would like me to bring back for them and hopefully I will remember some of them. Granma had the greatest request, “You back safely.” I think I will bring everyone back a little Buddha, especially Kimmy. About 60 hours left.

Success is

There are some things success is not.

It’s not fame.

It’s not money or power.

Success is waking up in the morning so excited about what you have to do that you literally fly out the door. It’s getting to Work with people you love.

Success is connecting with the World and making people feel. It’s finding a way to bind together people who have nothing in common but a dream.

It’s falling asleep at night knowing you did the best job you could.

Success is joy and freedom and friendship.

And success is

Love.

I am almost there

School is out. No more students for eight weeks. I cannot believe it is almost here. I can now say it is less than a week until my departure. It is blowing my mind. I think I have everything I need to go. I am not sure I am ready but I am going and will have the best time. It will be a ton of fun. How else do you put it? I can read all about what is available to see, recommendations of the best parts of S.E.A. travel, and previous travelers’ comments but what I experience will be all me. My experiences will be individual to me no matter what I get the chance to do while I am there. It is a dream come true. I am also going to be getting away from the 100 degree plus temperatures here but am going to a different type of hot, humidity. My last “do to” before I go is figure out how to use my camera. I am not doing very well at this task. Point and click does not mean good pictures.

Realization

My prophetic realization is that I have a lot to do with my house before I go. I haven't really payed attention to it lately. I have been mostly obsessed with all things school. Tomorrow I check out for the summer but I seem to have a lot to do in order to be able to get out, checklists and all that. Then there are all those things you have to do before you leave your house for a prolonged period of time. And lastly, clean up. I need a maid.
P.S. I have my passport back with my Vietnam Visa.

Well...

No Visa, No Passport, No Shuttle, No Money, No Refunds, No Altoids
This is looking worse and worse. Even though I know I will get on the airplane, I may not be allowed in once I get there. This is the ether in between. I really don't know what to think. Last week of school.