This time next week we'll be in Kolkata! There's so much to do between now and then that I don't think this fact has really sunk in, yet. I began packing today and was able to fold all my shirts and put them in a Clearwater Creek travel cube and I have my Northface convertible pants set out and ready to go. I'm trying my best to travel lightly. I plan to wash out clothes and/or have laundry done while we're there. Tomorrow I hope to get our toiletries together . . . such an exciting blog thus far, eh? :-)
Overall, I think we're pretty good shape. We need to find out about when we need to begin taking our malaria medicine. I don't think it's until a couple days before we leave, but I need to double check. I registered our trip with the State Department online and that was pretty quick and easy. We have our VISAs, passports, e-tickets, ride to and from the airport taken care of. Nealy is staying here at the house with the pups and they're all three looking forward to their time together watching Nascar! :-)
I worked really hard last week to wrap up most projects. I was doing the Phoenix Rising newsletter layout and finished that up on Friday. It always helps to get as many things done early because there's always more to do than I realize. For instance, today I realized that I need to get the Assistants schedule set for this year's retreat before I leave. I hope there aren't too may things like that that pop up this week, or if they do, that I remember them sooner rather than later.
We're going to be gone for the first Sunday in April, so Phoenix is having the make-up meeting tomorrow night. That means a couple days of work to get the CDs edited, duplicated, mailed, DVDs edited, duplicated, mailed, a description written, website updated, etc. It's all doable as long as other things don't pop-up. They always do.
I'll add more posts as the week unfolds to let you know about our lead up to departure goes.
I'm happy to say that I've been able to head off a cold this past week. I felt it coming on and nipped it on the bud. I hope that I can continue to stay healthy throughout the trip. I did strain my lower back early last week doing my crunches (see, exercise is bad for you!) and have been nursing it a bit. It's almost healed and that's good. I certainly don't want it hurting during a 18-hour flight!
I'll post more later.
Thanks and Love
,Stuart
