I have been incredibly busy lately. Aside from the usual tying up of loose ends, I also had to attend a two-week-long trip to see my mother's side of the family in Wisconsin. It was a good time, and was great to see all of our relatives, whether close or distant.

Today I officially began packing, as well as cleaning for my sister's highschool graduation party. It was a long, tiring day, but I feel that much was accomplished by its end. I have been attempting to come up with a list of items that I cannot forget:

• Sunscreen
• Power cords (phone, computer, etc)
• Go online to check in
• Printed Itinerary and tickets
• Printed instructions for cell phone use in Brazil
• Telephone country codes
• Maps for the different airlines
• Passport!
• Extra socks
• To take off my most important jewelry and leave it here...I don't want anything to happen in the shuffle of the airports.
• Tooth brush & paste
• Contacts, with solution & case
• Glasses
• Feminine products
• Eye shadow, liner, mascara, and cover-up
• Small notebook
• More jeans (currently only one pair packed)
• Chewing gum
• Medications (motion sickness, ibuprophen, daily prescription medication)

These are the things I can think of that I have yet to pack, off the top of my head. Can anyone think of anything else?? I have my ipod and entertainment packed (though with recent restrictions on airlines, I doubt I will be able to use them..)

I am absolutely estatic. The reality is beginning to set in. I leave monday!