It's becoming real while seeming more unreal.

The nerves are most definitely setting in.

The flash of fear about meeting people is gone...I am truly an extroverted person in most situations, and I have already met some great people at the pre-voyage gatherings in both Cleveland and Chicago. That will be fine.

However, the more irrational fears are starting to come to mind. Like being kidnapped in Malaysia. And losing my passport in India. And being bitten by some horrible bug in the Amazon and dying. The most realistic of these new fears being that I will run out of money.

I went shopping for toiletries and the like when I came home from Chicago last night and it came to 300 dollars...are you kidding me?? I guess that happens when you have to buy two of everything to last three and a half months.

I went and had my hair dyed to its natural color today since I will not have access to fairly inexpensive salon service during this voyage...and without sounding too much like an angsty twenty year old...I am sure that this is the ugliest hair color, that God only reserves for people who are going away and can't have their hair done. haha Maybe I will shave my head on Neptune Day if I continue to despise the color. haha

Grandma and I also went to her bank today and I was able to request $25 for each port I am going to with the exception of Vietnam and Cambodia. I will just have to find an ATM in those countries and dea with the fees.

While the nerves are taking over a bit, having almost all of my logistics taken care of is quite a relief. The only thing that comes to mind right now is one of those cheesy caritas items received at Happening so many years ago that read, "Let Go and Let God." This journey will be such a new experience for me that I feel that I almost can't prepare for it in the ways in which I desire.

One of my biggest realistic worries at this point is about church: I haven't not gone to regular Sunday worship ever. haha I'm pretty sure that qualifies me for dork status. But...even on Easter we have class on the ship. Don't get me wrong, I am not the girl who doesn't work on Sundays or any of that, but Sunday mornings have always been my major time for renewal, and I am going to have to get over that on this voyage. I am going to participate in a Bible Study on ship...I have never been a part of one before, so we will see how it goes...of course I am bringing my Book of Common Prayer as well, and I plan on stalking Desmond Tutu down on the ship to see if he will do Eucharist for the ship, or anything. Normally there are no religious leaders on the ship, so I'm pretty thankful he will be there. Not only for religious reasons, but my gosh, traveling with him for 100 days and hearing him speak will simply be wonderful.

That was quite a tangent. Tonight I am having a Bon Voyage dinner in Berea with all of my favorites. Many sisters, con kids and friends. I'm spending the night on a futon again and it will be my last night in Berea before I go. On Wednesday I am meeting with Gayle for lunch, and then Thursday I have one last meeting in Berea.

Friday at 5:30 am I will arrive at the Cleveland airport for my flight to Nassau. Feel free to come say goodbye ;) haha

I'm pretty sure the next time I post here will be from Nassau!!