My bags are packed...I'm ready to go

So the last 24 hours I have felt a little frazzled. I feel like I was very prepared to get all of the details pulled together and have lists of things to pack, gathered materials for work, giveaways of Butler gear, and all of the personal items I will need over the next month. Yet, today, I felt like I was missing something. It is a nagging, overwhelming feeling and can make you feel a little breathless at times. I've double checked everything though and I can only prepare so much and just let everything play out now. :)

Before I left work I found a picture of Colleen, my UCD contact, so I will recognize her in the Dublin airport. Then I emailed her a picture of myself. Its a little odd to do, and feels a little narcisstic, but I would much rather be able to find one another instead of yelling Marco-Polo until we meet at the baggage claim or something. :) She emailed me back right away and said that my schedule has even more meetings on it now...so a few more people to meet and greet while I am there. I finished up what I could do for work before I left on this trip, and then put up an out of office message.

3 Weeks...I will be gone three full weeks! I came to this realization today when I was leaving the message on my phone and computer that said, "I will return your calls on July 1st." Wow that is a long time! I bet in the future I will think it just flew by though...so I'm not complaining now. :)

I came home this afternoon and snuggled with the cat. She kept giving me the evil eye like she knew something was up. Either that or my guilty conscience was making her nervous. :) Also...confession...I didn't have the heart to put the Kitty Cat Lee Press-on nails on her. I trimmed her nails and gave her a scratcher with Kitty Cat crack (AKA Catnip) so I'm sure she'll be fine. She is now staying at Aunt Laura and Chase's house. Thank you for taking care of her! Hopefully they'll be friends soon and won't hiss at each other when they walk around every corner stalking each other.

Tonight was spent watching "So you think you can dance" (that show always makes me cry...the dancers have so much passion...I'll have to watch epsiodes online or something while I'm gone)and packing from my endless lists. I tried my hardest to get everything into one bag and one carry on...I packed, folded, repacked, and refolded...But I knew that I would totally surpass the 50 lb weight limit. I would get branded the heavy bag with the extra tag that the desk workers put on and give you a dirty look. I don't want to be that girl.

So now I have a bag of clothes for me, and a bag of giveaways and my padfolio and other work stuff. I think it will work out okay. Plus...now I definitely have extra room for shopping, goodies, and gifts. Any requests?

With nothing else to do but wait until I can get on my jet plane, I'll just head to bed and have dreams of the Emerald Isle and home with my family!

It is bedtime for this Irish lass...

Happy Friday!