Because I'm Leaving on a Jet Plane.

Chaos

Well this day has come. This will probably the last time I use my computer in the States for a while. The last few days have consisted of packing, watching copious amounts of Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, and the Lord of the Rings (why yes, I am a nerd). They have been spent running, spending time with Emma, and enjoying the nothingness that comes with the nearly two weeks of limbo between the end of work and Thailand.

Sorting 

My bags have been packed, unpacked, packed again, stared at, and then unpacked, trimmed up a little bit and packed some more. Note to self- I hate packing. There are so many things I would like to take to remind me of certain people, of certain times and experiences. I am trying to keep it simple, taking only bags that can be carried on my shoulder or back. One checked bag (~40lbs) a carry on (~15 lbs) and a laptop bag (~who knows how many lbs). There will surely be things that I have packed and didn't need, and just as much as that is true there are bound to be things that I would give a leg to have packed. I think that is all part of the experience though.

My life, the portable version. 

I have traveled before, but this time feels decisively different. I have always been so overwhelmingly anxious before, counting down the seconds until it is time to head to the airport. This time I am simply enjoying the moments that I have before I leave. I know that tomorrow at Terminal 5 International Departures at Chicago O'Hare will be a hard time. Not so much for me, but for those around me. I am not anxious for this trip like the others because this is different. This is for a much longer period of time. But to everyone- I will be back... Although the idea of a little food shack on some beach somewhere has crossed my mind.