Two weeks and counting...

Panic has finally set in.

We leave for Minnesota in two weeks, to store our belongings and our baby kitty, Dara with my mother.  Tonight is the last night we don't have a social or work event, and from here on out it is an ever-quickening descent into D-day.

Miss you Dari

Last night was the premiere of Alan's movie he has worked on for several years with friends and colleagues, and the ultimate reason we met in the first place.  It's been so difficult to focus on enjoying our last moments here when we are always thinking so far ahead to be prepared for everything we need to have done.  It was a great night, with good people and a good show, and I hope he was able to put aside his worries to enjoy the moment... before any critics, distribution pressures, or doubt could spoil it.  Watch the trailer here: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1546790/videogallery

I, on the other hand, have been battling hookworm from the last two foster cats we had. I have two pills the size of Brazil to take tomorrow, and am hoping that tidies it up right quick, as I certainly don't know how to say "I am infested with hookworm" in Japanese.

I am totally not kidding--this bastard is a hookworm.

 
                                                     

Despite my attempts to be Zen, serene and not stressed, I can't help but wonder which airline I have been placed on for our trip to Tokyo as we find out this week.  In a horribly smug way, I hope I scored a spot on JAL as I was ignored when I pointed out a flaw in the registration form by others in my group, only to have it turn out that everyone else had the exact same problem, didn't follow up on it, and were threatened with losing their spot entirely.  I'm hoping maybe my super anal, hyper-vigilant tendencies might have actually paid off for once by scoring me one of the coveted 20 spots on JAL... the other 100 seats are crammed in coach on American.  Most likely I will be one of those 100... but I can hope!

                      vs.     

On a more positive note, we have so many outings with friends and family in the next two weeks, though busy and a little hectic, we are so blessed to have so many who care about us.  I was privileged to have my boss let me cut out from work for a little over an hour to have brunch with my friend and former co-teacher who is battling ovarian cancer.  Looking at her life, and seeing her awesome attitude makes me feel like I need to quit stressing over my piddly problems and do a happy dance for all that I have.  I hope that I can be as optimistic and inspiring as she is when life hands me a little more than I think I can handle.