Of Insignificant Importance

Look at that countdown counter. Go on. Look at it. See that lovely round thing? That's a "zero". Do you know what that means? Sure you do.

Tomorrow is my last day of work before I head off to Merry Old England. Check out Huw's cartoon. Good stuff.

Today I have to work late to make sure I get all the work stuff taken care of before I leave this place for 2 weeks. Then I have to leech off of my parents and use their washing machine so I can have all sorts of clothes to pack (thanks to the weather...make up your damn mind), then I have to clean my apartment. Tomorrow will then be my bon voyage day at work and the monsterous task of packing.

I'm getting more and more nervous about my flight, but I at least have Harry Potter and my iPod to keep me company. Planes don't NORMALLY crash, right? Eeek.

Of course, the thing I'm most looking forward to is seeing and spending time with Huw, but added perks are getting to see and spend time with Curly, Chris, Tom, and Huw's family and other friends. Getting to know your significant other's, um, others, is always fun (if not a bit scary...I'm petrified of meeting his parents!).

So, that's it for now. I suppose I'll say "cheerio" until either I'm in London or (sniff, sniff) back home to sunny Texas. Cheers!

Yesterday was my birthday. Although I *do* believe at times that the world does revolve around me, I couldn't bring myself to post about my special day yesterday.

I've never really been shaken by a birthday before, I actually really look foward to them. However, yesterday I was hit with the fact that the 18-24 age demographic that is referenced so much in daily consumer life no longer applies to me. And I felt old.

This feeling was overshadowed though, by this sense of excitement that has been hovering over me for a while. I really feel like this is the year where so many life-changing events are going to happen. I can't wait to see what unfolds, and where I am in my life a year from now.

I guess there's no better way to kick of my quarter-century birthday than by taking a trip to London. Remember what I said about those life-changing events? Well, they're beginning already! I leave a week from today. Around this time in a week, I will be sitting in my hair dresser's chair, chatting to her about how I'm going to spend the best two weeks of my life with the best guy I've ever known as she wraps my incredibly long hair into little foil folds. And my heart will be beating quickly, palms sweaty, and body shaking with anticipation.

I have *so* many things to do before I go, and really not enough time to do them in. I'm very much the kind of person that doesn't like to prepare things too far in advance, just to wait around for whatever it is I've gotten ready for to come. This was often the cause of my parent's grief with me when it came time for holidays and events--I was always the one making them a few minutes late because I refused to sit around in my nice clothes, hair and makeup done. I apparently have not defeated this habit, and have chosen to do my last-minute shopping at the very. last. minute.

To complicate things, I have decided to throw in a "weekend before I leave/birthday weekend" trip to Dallas to visit Nic. Now, when I thought about this 2 and a half weeks ago, it seemed like a GREAT idea; after all, I'd be getting one more weekend out of the way before I got to leave for London, it would be a smart and fun way to pass the time. However, as I sit here now and thing about all the undone bits and pieces I have yet to take care of, I'm thinking to myself "EEEk, was scheduling this trip the WEEKEND BEFORE I leave for London the most intelligent idea?" (Now, Nic, I *do* want to go, don't get me wrong. Just don't let me freak out about how unprepared I am for this trip).

So, there you have it. I'm not sure if I'll get to post before I go, so if not, either look for a "Hey, I'm posting from LONDON" entry, or one upon my arrival back to the States.

Happy Birthday to me!

Because my visit to London is now 2 weeks away (holy crap), I have decided to let all of y'all in on my secret checklist. Okay, so it's not that secret, but I needed to make this post sound mysterious and interesting, seeing as how it's been forever since my last entry.

Ahem.

• Track the weather pattern/changes in London and Wales. Because these places are not two-climate countries like Texas is (yes, Texas is its own country) it has varying temperature levels that shift. It's not just "Hot" and "Hotter".
  
  
• Based on the information collected in Bullet 1, plan wardrobe accordingly.
  
  
• Oh crap. I have to figure out what I'm going to wear! This, for me, is a catch 22. You see, I feel like a fool if I pack too much (I never wanted to be one of those girls that had 28 suitcases following her on a trip that was not made for 28 suitcases), but I want to make sure I pack well enough for our travels, weather, and to occasionally look cute for my boyfriend. Gah.
  
  
• Go to local WalMart and stock up on Benadryl for the plane ride there. I've never experienced jet lag before, so I might as well get a head start on getting my sleep patterns in sync on the plane ride over.
  
  
• Whilst at Walmart, purchase cuter pajamas than just a ratty old t-shirt.
  
  
• Must remember passport, must remember passport, must remember passport (etc.)
  
  
• Build up a higher tolerance for alcohol. I hear those Brits and Welshmen can drink.
  
  
• Make sure all work stuff is settled before I go. [bursts out in laughter]...who the hell am I kidding, I've got tunnel vision!
  
  
• Make sure I get to the airport on time. Because I'm sometimes a "girly girl", I decided to make a hair appointment THE DAY that I leave, so that when I get to Britland and see Huw for the first time (other than on a webcam) in over 4 months, I can look halfway decent. However, I'm pushing it with time, as my hair appointments take nearly 3 hours. Must...budget...time...wisely!
  
  
• And finally, make sure I come back. That plane home will be the LAST thing I want to see, so I will need the encouragement from a certain Brit. Else I'll stay where I am for as long as I can.
  

So, fair people of Blogland, there you have it. My "to-do" list for London in May 2006. The more I check off, the closer I am to being in Britland with my Britman (teehee, Oh, it was funny!). Posts may be lacking up until I leave because, as you can very well see, I have a ton to do.

Suggestions, tips, hints, and general comments for overseas/Britland travel are welcomed and encouraged. So get to it.