Tomorrow. . . already. o.o

As an Army brat, I've noticed a couple things. In particular, moving around every other year is a part of my lifestyle; it always has been.  If I had to stay in one place my whole life, I might go crazy. Or die. Whatever happens first.  Anyway, I mention this at the beginning of this blog post because today I was reminded of something. There is one move I remember fairly well, this one being when I moved from South Carolina to Carlisle, PA after living in there for four years.  It was the summer of 2006, and I was fourteen.  Even as we were driving up to Carlisle Barracks, I remember the move just not phasing me, like it hadn't sunk in.   It only hit me a couple weeks after we'd settled in and I wanted to go to the movies with my friends back in South Carolina.  I picked up my phone to call them, and then I remembered, "oh yeah, I live four states away." It was like a tidal wave, finally feeling the aftermath of moving again.  But for such a long time, I went unphased. Last night, the thought of packing and actually going to Russia finally sunk in. After months and months of being like, "I'm going to Russia," and getting ready for the trip, I finally grasp the actuality of it all happening. And so soon.  In the midst of shopping and packing and saying goodbyes, I feel like I'm running out of time, but in the back of my mind, I feel like everything will work out okay - and I guess that's just what I need to bring to the forefront of my thoughts and just keep moving and getting ready.
Today, I had the last hispanic meal I'll be able to eat in a while. And in that way, I feel pretty satisfied. My dad and I found a hole-in-the-wall kind of place, and we weren't expecting much, just something like a kitchen-y kind of place, but we walked into a semi-fancy restaurant that obviously doubled as a nightclub with two bars, two VIP lounges, a music stage, a DJ station, and, oh yeah, a marble dance floor that was lowered in the center of the room.  And on top of that, the food was awesome. So when I come back for those couple weeks in the summer, I know where I'll be getting a few lunches :).

I also got my toes painted a ridiculously bright shade of pink, bought some converse, and now I just need to go get the last of the things I need to get before I can start packing. Like a camera. That might end up being sort of important.  Every time I think about the clock ticking, my heart pounds just a little faster, and I wish more and more I moved faster than time permits, just to make sure I'm ready to go.  As of this moment, I've got seventeen hours and forty minutes before I get on my plane to JFK (and then, obviously, to Moscow).  Holy crap.

Let's just hope when I finally do get to Moscow I don't try to call my old housemates from the Russian House seeing if they want to play Mario Kart or watch a movie (#brothersistersecrets).

Currently listening to:

• Katy Perry - "Last Friday Night (TGIF)" 
• Lady Gaga - "You and I" 
• Brooks and Dunn - "Ain't Nothin' About You"
• AC/DC - "Girls Got Rhythm" 
• Carlos Santana - "Turn Your Lights on (feat. Everlast)"
  

Before it all Begins

I honestly can't believe everything is starting so soon.  Next Friday I'm on a plane bound for Moscow.  In the mean time, I'm stuck in Virginia waiting on my visa to come in, and taking care of everything that needs to be taken care of State-side.

I still need to go shopping (who doesn't like a good shopping spree before going on an enormous trip?), but what I've been doing mostly is helping out my dad.  He's on leave before he becomes officially retired from the Army after 26 years, and about a month ago, he became Mr. Mom, so he's been taking care of my three siblings (aged 9, 10, and 11) on his own.  He's got a tight routine, and I'm the antithesis of any sort of routine, so it's been interesting.  But I am trying to help with the kids as much as I can.  He also got our old house back from his ex, and she trashed the place before she left.  My dad had to rent out a dumpster (and he completely filled it) and repaint most of the rooms in the house.  It's a miracle he didn't have to replace the carpets.  Since I've gotten back I've been helping move the last of the junk out, screwing in the socket plates, hanging the drapes back up, and other little things. We still have to work on the back yard and the garages - both the one at the old house, and also at the townhouse we're living at now.  Fun.

I know right now a lot of menial work needs to be done.  And I hate complaining because I know how necessary it is that my dad gets the old house ready to rent,  and how hard it is to be looking after three kids by yourself (who do you think really watched the kids while my dad was still married?). I know my dad appreciates all the help, and that's what really matters right now.  And in less than two weeks, it'll all be over with. But can you blame me if I want to stay in Virginia for as little time possible when I come back those two weeks before I head to Russia in the fall? I'd rather be in Texas, or Pittsburgh, or even Carlisle, PA.

What am I looking forward to, pre-Moscow?

1. A nice camera. That'll be awesome for keeping up with the awesome memories I'm going to have.
2. New converse.  When I was in high school and did a lot of traveling, I always wore a pair of black converse. I took a sharpie pen and wrote along the sides of the shoes all the different places I'd been while wearing those shoes: Honolulu, DC, Panama, LAX. . .
3. A new bikini and some board shorts.  I want a hot pink one.  I'm not that fond of pink, unless it's super super neon.
4. New shades. I am known to always lose or break my sunglasses. And so I need at least two or three pairs before I hop on a plane out of here next Friday.

I'll give out another update before I leave the US. In the meantime, I'm headed off to work on the house!