Date: 2009-03-06
To: One week til Georgia!
Miles today: 0.0

Dear readers,AHHHHHHHHHHH I leave in a week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I'm a bit excited, restless, nervous, and anxious, to say the least. Those four words seem to sum me up best at the moment. It's been a busy few days, but the good news is I'm almost 100% ready for the trail which means I can simply relax and kick back my last few days at home.I gave my presentation on Wednesday to 150 middle school girls and it was very well received. The girls had tons of questions, were very quiet and attentive, and all of the teachers were thoroughly impressed and said kind words to me afterward. I think my favorite question was "Do you watch Survivorman or Man vs. Wild?" I think a big reason why I captured these teen girls attention so effectively was because I am so "normal" to them. I am not big and strong. Heck, I think I could pass for 15 if I tried... I was brought up in a nice suburb in southeast Michigan just like them. I am a normal girl, attempting to do something not-so-normal.I had to laugh at the fact that I am probably one of the least-religious people you will ever meet (not to be confused with a lack of values and morals, however!) and here I was giving a presentation to a catholic girls middle school in their chapel, standing up near the alter while they were all sitting in the pews. I felt like I was preaching AT... if only the church my parents took me to while growing up could have been as interesting to me...10/11 mail drops got completed yesterday. Unfortunately we have a small mouse problem going on in our basement and two of my drop boxes have gotten moused which upsets me greatly. All of the boxes are on chairs, and have been, so I'm not sure when it happened. Luckily, it was only a bag of peanuts in one and a bag of dehydrated beans in the other. They are all addressed and ready to go! Big shout-out to my mom who will be in charge of sending them at appropriate times.Also, the other exciting news is that today I finally did a trial pack job in it's entirety! Every item on my list I laid out on a tarp in organized fashion. Chargers, phone, toothbrush, everything! It all fit! And it came in at 28 lbs with 1 liter of water and 1 days worth of food. My goal was 35 and it looks like I'll be right around that when I start, with the addition of some water and more food. I was excited! I know I have a lot of extra stuff - I know exactly what I can take out that an ultra-light expert would say is unnecessary, but I'm making the conscious choice to start with it all and decide as I go what I really want with me. I mean, lets get serious, I'm bringing my favorite pair of striped arm warmers! Obviously, ultra-light isn't my priority.So, now my pack is fully packed and sitting by the door. That is a huge weight off my shoulders (no pun intended), allowing me to feel much more relaxed, and realize that there is hardly anything left on my "to-do" list before next Friday. What will I journal about on here!?!? I'm sure I'll find something to entertain all of you TJ addicts out there (just admit it) before I leave. I've enjoyed reading the journals of those who started last weekend... it sounds like it was a cold first few days but all seem to be having a great time and in good spirits! My pinky toe is not healing as much anymore. The antibiotics seemed to help for a few days but they don't seem to be fully eradicating it like I had hoped. Although it doesn't feel infected anymore. I'm not sure... I guess I should run the full course of meds before coming to any conclusions. Maybe I shouldn't come to any conclusions at all since I'm not a doctor. Also, maybe I shouldn't try to perform surgery on myself using safety pins and nail clippers.It's late. I spend too much time on this friggin' site as is. Time for bed. Happy Trails,Amy