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!