Packing.

I started packing up my stuff tonight. It's a bit of a process, because I've accumulated so much junk since I moved back from the UK and then again back into my sister's house. I have so many clothes, books and trinkets that I have told myself I will need when I someday move into a more permanent abode (haha, good one, Maarit.)

I think my favourite part of tonight was finding cards - birthday cards, Christmas cards, and beautiful little cards from my sister with my nephew's hand-print traced on, just because. I never throw out cards, especially when someone has taken the time to write me a note. There is a lovely simplicity in a hand written note, full of love and thoughtfulness, that just doesn't come across in an email. I cherish these things.

I have one week until I get on a plane. I'm three parts nervous and one part excited. I'm not quite fully conscious that I'm leaving in a week for four months. I guess the lack of permanency and the knowledge that I'll be back at the end of the summer hasn't quite revved me up. But I know that once I have my backpack packed up and my things sorted that I will be ready to plaster a giant smile on my face for the adventure to come.