Sushi Love and Total Fear

Yesterday's drive to Oklahoma wasn't too bad. I'd like to give a shot out to the department of transportation for Oklahoma who had the brilliant idea to block off an entire lane all the way through Tulsa plus a few other large chunks of the toll roads for construction. At least it kept me alert. For anyone who has driven through Oklahoma or Kansas on a long trip, you understand that anything that keeps you from being hypnotized by the middle lines on the pavement passing by at the exact same speed over and over and over is much appreciated. However the long trip is so worth being able to spend time with my sister and brother in law, and all those I love in Oklahoma!

When I got here yesterday my sister was ready for some pampering. We went and got pedicures and then went shopping at Target for all the little travel size goodies for my trip. My toes look amazing, but I couldn't help but think that in as short of time as two weeks that cute blue color will be chipped and more than likely a nice shade of dirt. On that note, I've made an effort to get dressed up in all my nice clothes and do my makeup as much as possible because by the time I leave Oklahoma I won't have all my cutsie stuff. No heels, no straightener, only three shirts...it's going to be totally different from what I'm used to.

Last night we went to eat my favorite meal, SUSHI! I've actually wondered if they have sushi in Italy. They have a lot of fresh fish (so I'm told)so it could be logical for there to be some sort of sushi restaurant there....but do you really want sushi made by an Italian? But when you think about it, how many times have you been to a Japanese restaurant and your hibachi grill chef is from Mexico?

Today, in the spirit of my upcoming trip (2 days until go time), we went to see Eat, Pray, Love. It was even a little more fitting because I actually read the book while I was on my first solo trip to Panama (under a palm tree, on my own section of beautiful beach, eating a ridiculously fresh mango). The book was great, but the movie would've been a little boring if I hadn't read the book. Obviously my favorite part of the movie was when she was in Italy. I got to see scenes from Rome and Naples, both places I will be visiting. I still can't imagine what it's going to be like to actually see all the buildings and sites I've been learning about in history class.

Seeing the movie also made me realize that I'm only two full days away from leaving the country again. Yes I'm excited, but let's be honest here, I'm scared shitless. Yes, I'm scared. I'm scared. If I ponder on the thought that in two full days I will be without my family, friends, comfort of my belongings, and a language I can understand completely, I start to freak out a little. And as long as we're being honest, it's more than a little, it's a lot. I know it's a lot because my eyes start to water and I'm not your typical emotional laden girl. I don't just cry. I think it's stress and nerves and obviously fear. Fear that something is going to go terribly wrong and this whole trip and experience will go up in flames. I know I'll feel better once I'm there and don't have anything else to prepare for, but as the day gets closer and closer the stress and my nerves are really starting to wear on me.

Lucky for me, I have a great group of people to de-stress with this evening. I'm in for turkey sandwiches, grilled corn on the cob, and a we're finally going to open up my bottle of Fattori Pinot Grigio. I couldn't think of a better time than now to get a taste of what I've gotten myself into. :)