I'm the Worst Blogger Ever

I know, I know! We have had very little time and frankly, when we have had time to be on the computer, I've been too exhausted to write anything that would be even mildly interesting to anyone with literacy beyond the first grade. I WILL get caught up.

We left Italy yesterday and traveled by plane to Athens and then by bus to Delphi. The entire vibe of the trip changed when we got to Greece. It feels much more relaxed and calm. Italy was beautiful and amazing and educational, but a little chaotic and rushed and frenetic. We will function at a slower pace here in Greece, which will be welcomed by all.

On a more personal note, I actually may be leaving early. My 94-year-old grandmother, who lives in Dallas and to whom I am very close, is not doing well at all. I am in the process of deciding when I am going to leave and how to arrange all that. It's been very trying, to say the least...and another reason I've been avoiding the blog.

About to head out again to lunch, which, for me, will consist of SALAD and CHICKEN...we had very little of either in Italy. I've eaten more bread and pasta in the last week than I've eaten in the past three months at home. My body is rebelling and demanding protein and veggies. We are in Delphi, which sits in the mountains overlooking the Sea of Corinth (I think...). It is beautiful and friendly and peaceful.

More later....

Next Time You Need to Go to Target Before a Big Trip...

come shop at my house instead. You know the aisle that has all the travel sized products? That aisle now exists on my bed. I'm having a sample sized sale at my house when I get back. Come see me!

Panic Napping

I should be in frantic-panic-packing mode right now. I'm actually in panic-napping mode. I just woke up from my becoming-much-too -regular afternoon siesta (yes, it's called that in Italy too). I used to work out in the late afternoon. Now I nap. The trade-offs for each are equal, although my abs would argue that point. Anywho...I digress.

My airport limo - and by limo, I mean Carly Cannon's Nissan Murano - is picking me up in 16 hours and I have not packed one stitch of clothing. I just woke up from a dream in which I arrived in Italy with clothes packed, but NOTHING else. No toiletries, no camera, no shoes except the one I wore on the plane, no nothing except a lot of cute skirts and every color tank top Target sells. And in my dream (operative word being "dream"), I wasn't the least bit panicked or flustered. Just as I am, at this moment, feeling no urgency whatsoever to get up and be productive, despite the fact that I am leaving the country tomorrow for two weeks with 13 teenagers of whom I am in charge. Where has the Type-A Holly I know gone??

I'm getting a little panicked about not being panicked.

The Countdown Begins. Again.

Once again, I'm gearing up for the next big adventure. My friend and colleague, Carly Cannon, and I are leaving Thursday for a two-week trip to Italy and Greece. We will travel with a National Geographic photographer, Massimo Bassano, two Nat Geo leaders, David and Carolyn, and 13 girls from MHS. Did you read those last five words? 13 girls. 13 girls, ages 15-17. And three women. God speed to Massimo and David.

For whatever reason, I'm not nearly as stressed about preparation for this trip as I was about Africa. I suppose this is because unlike last year, I am not worried about sleeping on the ground in a tent, contracting malaria or getting eaten by a lion. I am hopeful that my biggest worry on this trip is what gelato flavor I will be trying each day. And by "each day," I mean each and EVERY day. The biggest challenge of the packing so far is, as always, shoes. How does one walk all over Europe looking cute but also being comfortable? It's 2011...I can program my DVR from my phone while driving down the road in a different country. Can't SOMEONE make cute AND comfortable walking shoes!?

We will be visiting Florence, Rome, Athens, Nafplio, Delphi and several small towns and villages along the way. I have been to Europe, but never Greece or Italy. Can't wait to get there!

Ciao! (You are all going to be soooooooo sick of reading that by the time I am finished with this trip!)