Goodnight and Good luck!

"Hello to all my friends! I'm glad you came to play. The fun and learning never ends and here's what we did today..." - Barney.

Please don't ask why I quoted Barney. I don't know either. In the last 48 hours, I have gotten approximately 8 hours of sleep. Partly because I'm hoping that I will be so tired when I climb on the plane that I will just pass out for most of it and wake up and be in Ireland. I even bought (per recommendation of my Facebook friends) some Advil PM stuff to help knock me out. I don't know if I will actually need it but every little bit helps. My current lack of sleep mostly relates to all the stuff I had to get done in the last two days.

I have been on a lot of trips in my lifetime but none quite so daunting as jumping the pond (I've wanted to say that for the last week!). I had to call the bank and let them know, I had to call the credit card company, I had to have the post office hold the mail, I have to put a hold on my Netflix account. Oh and I made a side trip to Gary, IN to drop my dads car off in case he decides to come home while we're gone.

Today my to do list is fairly short, confirm we have all the hostel reservations, make sure we all have passports, mow the lawn, run to the bank (1 last time) and finish packing. Kristin and I bought really cheap queen size flat sheets and turned them into mini sleeping bags in case the hostel beds are gross or they charge for linens. Those just came out of the dryer. (Side note: I REALLY need a sewing machine). We hand sewed those and it took FOREVER! I think I spent like 3 hours last night just finishing up my sheet thing.

Our flight leaves at 6:45 p.m. so we'll probably leave for the airport around 1ish. I know that gives a ton of time but my leg always sets off the metal detector. The TSA people are usually super nice to me, probably because I don't complain and I usually smile and chat with them. They're probably told during training to be intimidating but I guess I don't give the threatening vibe. Now that I say all this, today I will get some super grumpy lady who is mean to me. Oddly enough, I get more nervous about going through security than the actual flying apart.

I'm not normally a nervous traveler but I have been SUPER nervous for the last 48 hours. Almost to the point that it made me sick and it's a very odd feeling for me. I did expect to be nervous but not frightened out of my mind. Most of it is the 7 hour flight I have to be on later tonight. Oh and the fact that when I get off in Ireland (OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!) it will be 8:25 a.m. It's also supposed to be like 60 degrees and rainy. I wonder if it will seem as gloomy there. Then there's also the language barrier! But! I know how to say... I'm sorry. My Italian is really bad. Do you speak English? And I know how to count to 10! And I can say Champs-Elysee! I'm very proud of the phrases I've learned in like 3 days. And now I really need to go mow the lawn.

I promise I will try and blog while I'm across the pond but I can't guarantee anything. My internet access will be sort of limited and I may just be having so much fun that I just forget. But I will do my best to keep you updated and that we are still all alive. Plus I know everyone is saying that wish to live vicariously... so I will start letting you be vicarious as soon as I can!

Now I'm going to use my manliest voice and shout Peace!