Ready to go exploring!

4am - I snuggled up for a few minutes before getting up and out of bed, getting ready to go. I zipped up my bags, and went to hug Sarah goodbye. She was sleepy and warm as I kissed her forehead and hugged her close.

5am - Brian came in with me to take a photo of me and my flag before a hug and a kiss goodbye. I turned with my suitcase and backpack with a goofy smile on my face thinking I'm ready to go exploring!

6:45am - My carry-on only plans were foiled by basic economy which restricts one from using any overhead space. I pulled a few things out of the suitcase and sent it along - two states, three countries, three flights, three airlines. I'm hopeful. Yes, hopeful. And, I may be wearing these clothes for the next 9 days. It's OK, I have my coat and my camera. What else do you need when you head to the Arctic?

7:15am - I thought I'd sleep on the 2.5 hour flight to Chicago. I really wanted to sleep. Butterflies in my stomach + the awesomeness of looking out the window, looking at the world. Then, a plane flew under our plane. I am a firm believer in the idea that the sky is a large, large space. No need to cross paths. Butterflies + wonder + a tiny bit of terror = no sleep.

10:45am - The good news is those of us flying basic economy arrived at the exact same time as everyone else.

11:30am - I like airports. I especially like O'Hare, not only because of Nuts on Clark popcorn. Who am I kidding, maybe alot because of Nuts on Clark.

1:00pm - Right about now, actually. I've got another 1.5 hour before we board. I've eaten a sandwich and had an iced tea. I have eaten some popcorn.  I'm charging up electronics, sending out a few last emails.

I had a whole blog post outlined in my head last week that seemed, at the time, profound and inspirational. Today, I'm not feeling so philosophical. I'm feeling downright giddy (must be the popcorn.) If I wasn't sitting here in Chicago, I might not believe that I'm about to travel to the Arctic and have an incredible experience. Today, I'm just feeling lucky. And grateful. And a bit tired, I have to admit, because the last couple of weeks at school have been crazy-busy, crazy-wonderful, and crazy-white-hair-inducing.

But, mostly I'm grateful. Someone recently told me that I use that word alot. Grateful. (I'm grateful that he knows that I'm grateful.) Gratitude has been a theme, a mantra, throughout my life, and I think it's one of the reasons why I'm sitting here today - a little bleary-eyed, a little smelly (that trek across the airport with a 16 pound backpack and carrying a parka got the blood flowing), very curious, and abundantly grateful.