After finally being contacted by my future employers, I have committed and bought a ticket to go on my way.  I leave Wednesday, the 24th.  My return time is still a bit up in the air, but I’m sure I’ll come back eventually.  At this point it will either be December 29th or the end of February 2011.  So the game has begun, and I’m wrapping up all my loose ends here in the States.  There always seems to be more to do than expected: canceling my phone, letting my bank and credit card know where I’ll be, hunting down my final paycheck from work that is still MIA.  I can almost guarantee that I’ll keep so busy getting ready, that I’m not going to let the reality of my trip sink in until I’m there.  So don’t be surprised if my first post in Brazil goes along the lines of “Whoa!  How did I get here?  And what do you mean I can’t walk across the hall and see my parents?”

So my present concern is simple.  What in the world do I pack?  If you don’t hear from me before Wednesday, that means I’m still trying to decide which flip flops to take with me.