newark to atlanta

FEB 6; 1:44PM

I have just consumed the most fantastic bloody mary in recent history. Following a Thursday filled with last minute packing (and, let’s be honest… first-time packing. There was no last-minute finishing up about this…. It was full-on, complete packing the night before!) and errand running, I got up at 550AM to finish packing and contemplate the incredible amount of CRAP I’m bringing with me on this trip.

Spending most of January in Costa Rica with clothes I’d barely wear here to garden in (and how I love to garden! Yeah right), I decided that I would not feel completely disgusting for 3 whole months. This was going to require some serious packing. (52 lbs of it, as I would later discover in Newark- thanks to the kind Delta folk for overlooking those 2 additional pounds). I ended up brining more than I need- though I’m sure I’ll still have nothing to wear. Really, is having 4 pair of jeans to choose from such a horrible thing?! In my defense, I really have no idea what I’ll be doing for the next 3 or more months… it looks like my activities could range anywhere from sitting in a cool classroom (albeit in a city that supposedly has temperature swings of upwards of 30 degrees! Quito’s altitude is apparently the culprit for this weather range) to dragging myself through the Amazon. Ecuador has no shortage of geographical diversity, and I really hope to get all up in it. Furthermore, who knows that I’ll even stay in Quito!? I’ve got an open schedule thanks to the recession. I’m currently “at liberty” (thanks to Vicky Cristina Barcelona for the expression) with student loans on my side… I hope to learn Spanish and find some inspiration during this time. I pray that after everything is said and done, that I don’t end up in a cube farm somewhere. But that’s a different story.

(note: OMG! Delta is officially the best airline ever. They still offer PEANUTS on flights. I, of course, had my own supply that I’ve already hacked into- but this is fantastic to know. Definitely worth a premium on the airfare ;)).

Anyway- I’ve got few real commitments. I’m starting my lessons and job on Monday- a job I got by responding to a posting seeking foreign help with marketing efforts to grow the Instituto Superior de Espanol in Quito. In exchange for this marketing genius, I get free Spanish lessons and a place to stay for a month… after that, I have to figure it out. I better come up with an amazing concept ASAP to prove my worth. But, I digress.

Back to the bloody. So my day/night/early morning of packing and running around left me a bit stressed out. After a nice 2hr car ride with my mom- where I prattled on about equal rights and fair treatment for Muslims and other relevant, savvy topics ;) – I arrived at Newark airport. The nausea due to my impending departure was showing its face. I made it through check-in and everything just fine. Still nauseous. So I popped into the nearest bar and had the best bloody mary in recent history. Practically chewable, it was so thick. After some nice IMing and texting with friends, it was time to hop on the plane….. and here I am. Nearly falling asleep, incidentally.

So- anyway, off to nap. Perhaps a bit more of Twilight part II as well. First leg of the journey is underway………….!!!