Close to gone

As I was wrapping up last-minute odds and ends at work today and passing along tips, phone numbers and sources to a colleague, it dawned on me. I was done. An entire month of unknown adventure lay ahead of me. Anything is possible. I felt a knot grow in my stomach.

I panicked.

I said quick goodbyes, didn't look back, climbed in my car and quickly dialed my best friend's number. "This is going to be so great for you. Relax," she said. So I did. When I want to relax, there's only one thing I can do: buy shoes. And I did that, too.

Now my bags are packed, my iPod is nearly full of my favorite music and my digital camera is all set to capture some amazing moments. Short of a meltdown at the airport, I'm ready to go.