Here I Am!

I've got a brand-new web address and a brand-new look, but it's still the same blog! And the same girl. I feel like a commercial for new food packaging, "New look! Same GREAT taste!" Now I wouldn't call this blog GREAT, but I am getting rather attached to it.

I've been reading through some other blog posts today, and I have to tell you that I feel rather boring. Some people write about how they travel the world, and I'm writing about how I stay in one place! To each his own, but if I had a choice, I think I would be traveling the world. So here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to take a page from the book (show) of the Backyardigans and I'm going to use my imagination...

*happy music to show transition, entering the world of imagination...now*

I wake up early to finish throwing the last few items into my suitcase. I'm prepared all right. I've been writing lists of what to bring ever since I found out I was leaving for Belgium 3 weeks ago. I even wrote more than one, because the possibilities of my losing one of them are rather high. I go over my extensive checklist one more time. -- clothes enough to last me 2 weeks in between laundry days, check. Shampoo and conditioner, check. Chocolate, scratched off the list (I'm going to be in Belgium for goodness' sake! They have chocolate named after their country. They should have some available). At least 5 books, check. Hand sanitizer, check. One amazing dress to wear if I find the man of my dreams, check. Laptop to use for updates, check. Camera, check. Toothbrush, oops.

I hop over to my bathroom to grab my toothbrush and see my message to myself written on the mirror. "Don't forget your passport!" Thank goodness I thought to do that the night before. I call a taxi and hurry myself off to the airport because my flight leaves in, Yikes! 45 min.

Security isn't as much of a nightmare as usual, but I always feel uncomfortable about taking off my shoes. Do they know what kind of germs live on floors? I doubt it. They only have thoughts for the task at hand, robbing me of my dignity. I want to turn and congratulate them on a job well done, but I'm in a hurry. I run to my gate just as they begin boarding. All goes well. My carry-on baggage is just the right size. Secret: I carry a really big purse. As long as you're willing to have it take over your feet space, the airlines don't mind at all.

I find my seat and sit down, preparing myself for the horror, excuse me, delightful person that will soon sit next to me. No one seems to find the seat beside me very interesting. One tall man with a 5 o'clock shadow and dark hair does look pointedly at the numbers on the overhead bins, but eventually moves on. Miracles do happen! I am ruler of this row.

I suppose you're wondering why I'm going to Belgium. It's an interesting story . . . Oh no. The plane is about to leave and all electronics must be turned off. I'll fill you in after we're airborne. Nothing like a long flight overseas to give you time to explain!