T minus 15 days until departure

I am eager with anticipation to finally embark on the journey that has been overwhelming my mind for months now. 38 days ago, I created a very pre-school countdown of post-it notes for the actual departure date of our journey, and until last Friday, the number stayed at 53. I finally peeled a giant stack of the numbers off, to find that there was a little over 2 weeks left before it's go time.

Bret and I will be departing for down-down under...New Zealand! An entirely separate country from Australia, and pretty far south, it's a beautiful scenic land. Lord of the Rings was filmed there, kiwi the fruit and the bird run rampant, and anywhere in the country is 100 km from a beach. Pretty nice. Just to clear up the incessant questions: yes, there's running water, electricity, and they speak English. (I mean really...would I go somewhere for a long period of time where I couldn't (A) diffuse my hair, (B) watch tv, or (C) talk on the phone?)...

I have a few things left to do: pack my apartment, move, see friends and family one last time, and somehow decide which clothing and shoes are deemed important or imperative enough to be stuffed into my two oversized suitcases. I am nervous with excitement, and a slight hint of fear. Fear of the unknown, something I have never done before, but always dreamed. Fear of not finding a job, running out of money, missing home, feeling lonely. All completely rational fears for anyone embarking on such an experience, and ones that I am continually striving to overcome. But I promise, it's more excitement than anything, as well most of you know, that I can't focus on one thing for too long before my mind jumps to something else!

This is my first blogging adventure as well, and I hope that I am able to update regularly about my findings, thoughts, and photos. Suggestions are greatly appreciated!!! More later!