Holy crap.

That is pretty much all I can say right now. It's not every day one of your childhood dreams comes true. Really, I only had two major childhood dreams. Unfortunately, two years ago, they found Anastasia's body, so the dream that I was descended from Russian royalty was squashed, much to mine and my friend Amanda's dismay.

So that leaves Australia. I'm all packed, except for a tooth brush, and ready to go. I cleaned up so that my brother and father do not need to live in my mess. My suitcase is 4 pounds below the limit, so I will be able to pack my hairdryer and straightener tomorrow, and then I will be on my way.

My grandmother called us tonight. She had fallen and was confused and did not know what to do because she could not get up. While my dad comforted her, I called my aunt in Colorado and told her of the situation, so that she could call the nursing home and alert them. I then promptly ran about trying to figure out other ways to get to Chicago tomorrow if my dad needed to fly out there because she thought she had broken her hip. While trying to figure out how to get to the airport from the train station, we got the call from my uncle that the nursing home people don't think she actually did any damage. Please keep her in your prayers anyways, as she is not doing very well mentally.

I leave you on a brighter note. I went to visit my cousin and her kids tonight. While trying to explain to Carolyn, who is three years old, that I was moving away for a while, I told her that I was flying around the world tomorrow. She promptly started laughing hysterically and said, "No, Aunt Kate!" I said, "Why?" She said, "You can't fly. You don't have wings, silly, you have hands!" While she definitely doesn't grasp the fact that I am really leaving, she made me smile. And I know that I will have a big hug waiting for me there when I come home.