Around the World

Another travel adventure is right around the corner for me. I can barely wait for sand between my toes, sun on my skin, and the sound of the ocean roaring like a jet engine. As I was busying myself with preparations recently, which amounts to doing laundry and checking my airline reservation online a hundred times over, I saw that I have 119, 625 lifetime miles flown on United Airlines alone. I've had a frequent flier account with them since I was a wee baby, you see. Curious, I googled how many miles the circumference of the Earth is at the Equator. It's information like that, that I think I should somehow know, but the internet had my back on this one. Approximately 25,000 miles around the Earth. I've flown enough, on one airline alone, to have made nearly 5 journeys around the world! Then I think about adding Delta, Lufthansa, US Airways, Continental, Ryanair, Air France, Southwest... you name it, and all of a sudden I am stunned. And so grateful. There is no gift in the world that is more valuable than experiencing the world around us, and it's a gift that not many people get to have. I feel rich.

Aaand begin Tuesday

Every once in a while out of the blue, like say, this morning when I was brushing my teeth, I get overcome with a seriously intense panic-y sadness over losing any member of my immediate family. It lasts about 20 seconds and is the worst feeling ever because it's what I would feel if I actually lost them. My world cripples. So, picture me with sleepy eyes and bed-head, paralyzed in this thought with toothpaste slowly escaping out of my mouth. Aaand begin Tuesday.

Family, I just want you to know that I love you and that no matter where in the world I am at any given time, YOU are THE MOST important thing to me. I like to be on adventures and to live in different places, and sometimes that means being very far from you for long amounts of time. Thanks for not just realizing that that's who I am, but for supporting me in it. My world is the 3 of you.

That being said, click the link (I can't embed this video, sorry) and watch a little clip on YouTube. This girl from Japan is in America as an exchange student, and couldn't contact her entire family, but they found a way to let her know that they were ok....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tswXTMqo8cs

Love always.

Japan: to put things in perspective

I am thiiiiiiiiis close to falling asleep at this very instant, which I will not allow myself to do because there is too much to be done. Although, if you see a weird "ajsd;foiaenfa; vifd" looking post go up on here, it means I probably fell asleep face down in the keyboard. I just got back from Hawaii this morning (yeah, I left Hawaii. What was I thinking?) and now I'm still stuck in paradise in my head but facing reality in all other aspects of life. I feel overwhelmed and don't even know where to start tackling all of the things that need to be addressed. I gotta say though, the events of the past week show me that really, I have it pretty good.

After all, my home didn't just get leveled by an earthquake.
My town didn't just get hit by a tsunami.
I don't have to worry about health and environment risks.
My grocery store shelves are fully stocked.
My family and friends are not dead, missing, or waiting in shelters.

Yep, my life is a cake walk right now. Definitely counting my blessings. Please take a minute in your day to send prayers to Japan.

Aaaaaanndd I'll post Hawaii pictures soon!