The countdown....

Almost every morning, and then again at every evening (usually when I'm brushing my teeth) Ryan says "X-number of days and counting!" which is code for "Can you EVEN believe we're going to Africa? Can you believe we're going so soon that we can count it down by days?" to which I usually respond "Love, you're stressing me out."

I'm not stressed out about going to Africa, in fact I am absolutely thrilled about visiting Africa - what a rare opportunity! I'm super excited about the people we'll meet and interact with.....


And I'm really excited about the gorgeous scenery...I wonder if it will be as green and lush when we arrive at the end of their summer season?


...And of course animals I've never seen with out bars in front of them....



It's just that when I hear the countdown, I think of all I have to get ready in preparation for this trip....things like Neuroscience projects for school, or the policy project (also for school) that I'm trying to conjure up about the One Laptop Per Child Initiative and legislative action as a result of the initiative.

And then there is stuff for work as well....two weeks away from the office is, well, daunting at best. To complicate matters, our office will be moving to a new building a few blocks from our current location - word on the street is that they *could* move while I'm away! They promise to leave me a message at home if this is the case. Imagine showing up to an empty office building - great for a prank if you're writing for MTV's "Punk'd" but not great if you are me.

As a stress-preventive measure, I have already set aside all of the clothing and shoes I'll be taking on the trip. I've figured out what surprises to bring to Paul and JoAnna

(Yes Joey, I'm bringing a small surprise - and a very belated wedding gift).

I still need to clear off my camera's memory card and check the checklist for other items I don't want to forget. Oh, and of course update the checklist on a daily basis for anything new I might realize is of utmost importance. Thank goodness we're staying with a doctor...I can forget about needing anything for medical emergencies. (Although, I may have to put out fires in their own kitchen like the time we visited JoAnna's parent's house....long story. Safe and happy ending, except for the electric kettle which was placed on the stove top)

I guess the thing to focus on at this point are the great pictures that Paul and JoAnna have shared (All photos on this post I have stolen from their flickr.com page) and the fun of knowing there is a great adventure before me.

If you can't beat 'em, might as well join 'em. So, with that:

NINE DAYS AND COUNTING......