I Guess This Really is Happening

Rachel was awesome and showed up 10 mins early this morning and brought me hot chocolate for the ride to the airport.  How nice!  It was a great send off for sure.  On the 5 1/2 hr flight, I was lucky enough to have an empty seat next to me and an adorable baby in the row ahead of me.  I used my iPod when the baby wasn't sounding so adorable though.  Thanks again Josh, that was a perfect Christmas gift.

The daunting 9 hr layover at LAX hasn't been bad at all.  I caught up with a few family members and friends on the phone while still able to catch the Ravens/Steelers game and enjoy the beautiful weather LA has to offer.  Thanks for all of the well wishes via email, text, and phone calls.  It'll be weird without a cell phone for 3 weeks, but I'm pretty excited to see how liberated I'll feel.

Now, here I am in LAX at my gate ready for my flight to Fiji.  I can't believe this is my life!  When I first saw the Pacific Ocean peek out from under the wing of my plane as we were coming upon LA earlier today, I got a bit choked up.  I know it's not going to be the last time either.  There's something about travel that just totally overwhelms me.  

In the security line just now, I was behind a girl who started conversation by commenting on how she accidentally had a full bottle of water in her carry on.  Fiji water at that.  We got to talking about our matching travel pillows, TSA security, and come to find out - she's originally from Fiji!  We're not sitting near each other on the plane, but I'll chat with her again before we board.  She siad she'd help me figure out the best way to spend my 15 1/2 hr. layover on the island of Viti Levu.  Evidently there's some flooding there too...let's hope I get to see at least some of the beauty Fiji is known for though.

So get this, I'm leaving LA Saturday night and arriving in Fiji Monday morning even though I'm only flying 10 1/2 hrs.  This will be my first experience crossing the international date line!  I don't get to experience Sunday Jan. 16, 2011, but I hope you live it up!  Fingers crossed and lots of prayers for a peaceful flight while traveling into the future over the Pacific Ocean.