Things to Buy Tomorrow: Hand Soap, Floss, Malaria Pills.

Yay South Africa!

On Sunday, I will board a plane to South Africa for a two week safari!! I know virtually nothing about South Africa, so today I started to do some research. This research was done online, so please excuse me if it is completely inaccurate and stupid:

I've learned that malaria pills are recommended, (especially for me...asshole moustiques...) and that they apparently come with lovely side effects that make you feel like you have malaria. So "take them at night so you don't ruin your safari."

I've also learned that it is recommended to wear khaki and green colored clothing...not bright colors, (which is mostly all I own.) And camouflage clothing is illegal in some places in Africa because it is worn by local soldiers (still can't find if this means South Africa...? either way, not risking it...) Of course I learned all of this after I started to set aside my clothes....

Things we will be doing:
Flying into Johannesburg
Staying at Hamilton Parks for elephant rides and hot air balloons
Kruger Park for a week, (where you see all the animals!)
Sun City (the casino where I plan to win a million dollars!*)
Lion's Park, (where you get to play with baby lions!)

*I would like to officially state that I will totally take a million in dollars or rand, the South African currency, even though one dollar equals 7.5 rand.

Rand

Then I started looking at example packing lists. In general, they are helpful, though I am disturbed by the fact that one "don't bring" list included illegal drugs. Really? Ok. Gotta note that. Do not bring illegal drugs. Check.

	Clothing:		Other Items:
	2 short sleeved khaki shirts		Flashlight
	2 long sleeved khaki shirts		Pocket knife
	2 turtlenecks or polo necks		2 pairs of sunglasses
	2 pairs khaki shorts		A small back pack
	2 pairs long khaki trousers		Plenty of Sunscreen
	A couple of T-shirts (no bright colours)		Lip balm / chapstick
	A cap or hat		Binoculars (8x40)
	A warm woolen cap (beanie)		Diary
	A pair of warm gloves		Hair dryer & Gas curling tongs for ladies (optional)
	1 or 2 sets of thermal underwear (just in case)		International plug set (Africa uses 220-240Volt)
	Warm socks		Malaria tablets (as prescribed by your MD if required)
	1 pair comfortable house shoes		Insect repellent
	1 pair comfortable tennis shoes / running shoes		Tick repellent (preferably containing DEET)
	1 pair of ankle high boots		Belt and ammunition pouch
	Warm nightwear		Ammunition as discussed
	1 or 2 warm jackets (down)		Reading material
	1 warm sweater		Clock (optional)
	1 raincoat / waterproof jacket		Any personal medication
	Sweatsuit or jeans for evenings		Camera equipment (We recommend a 400mm standard and wide angle lens, flash, spare batteries, camera bag)
	Swimsuit (optional)
	1 smart/casual outfit (if required)

Four more days!!!!! 

Twenty-Eight.

I don't really feel old. 

Nor do I have a complex about being old. 

I realize that 28 is older than lots of people I know...

    but it's also a lot younger than some other people I know. :-)

Today, I googled "28 years old," curious to see what that means to random people on the Internet. Surprisingly, lots of people freak out about it. In fact, one of the first sites I saw on the google search was dedicated to celebrities who died at 28, (especially Heath Ledger, who I admittedly thought was a lot older...) Next were the numerous, very thought-out essays about the psychology of women who are "still" single at 28. I'm afraid I can't relate to these people. Here are the completely solid, mostly scientific reasons this is going to be the best year of my entire life:

1.) It started off wonderfully, the weekend was filled with adventures like paragliding, successful cooking endevors, meals with french friends who care about me, presents including fancy chocolate and jewelry, and lots and lots of skype dates with the most beloved people in my life.

after 4 times of trying to parapente, the elements finally co-operated.

getting serious. well, seriously nervous

so you have to run really fast down a cliff....

and then it just lifts you into the air! this is me! in the batman parapente. 

I pretended I was in Harry Potter, flying on a broomstick. The dude was not too impressed.

The view

I made this!! 

Picnic with my French family :-)

2.) Also, I really enjoy even numbers. And I especially like the number 8. If that isn't persuasive enough, I will tell you that I also like the way the year 2012 is shaped. I find it very asthetically pleasing.

3.) Once upon a time, a psychic told me that I would not know my future husband until I am 28. She also told me when I am in my early 30's I will be headed to the West coast...

4.) I am leaving for my African safari in 6 days!!!!!!!

5.) According to my horoscope: "It is not every day that a major planet makes a once-in-165-year entry into a sign, but that is precisely what is about to happen. Neptune will enter your sign on Feb 3 and remain in Pisces for the coming fourteen years. Neptune rules Pisces and will exert its best qualities while in its own sign. Many people never get to experience Neptune in their sign, but because Neptune is your ruling planet, this will make the coming years all the more delicious. This shift of Neptune to Pisces will instantly put you in the spotlight. Neptune's greatest gift to you will be to greatly expand your imagination and your creativity, and as such, you are the perfect sign to accept those gifts. You will be encouraged to express yourself in completely new ways, to be innovative and experimental. If you work in the creative sphere, this shift of Neptune will, of course, seem like a miracle. Suddenly the world is listening to you. Your image may be known on TV, or in important print or Internet media, and you will likely become known by those in your industry or the world at large. This is your moment! Take all fortunate breaks that come up at this time seriously. Don't ask others their opinion about whether you should do this or that...you know yourself well enough. It is your decision."

6.) I just have a really, really good feeling about this year :-)

The best part about being where I am now is that I am happy with my life, I know who I am, and I am not afraid to go for what I want. I didn't have that self-confidence, wisdom, or maturity at 21, 23...26 even. In fact, it's quite possible that I made every dumb, horrible mistake a person could make in their early (and mid) 20's. And while I can't exactly claim that I wouldn't go back and change some things...I have absolutely no complaints about where I am now. Literally and figuratively, of course :-)

My lesson for the week :-)

I know you're not supposed to have favorites, but I totally do....

So...welcome, twenty-eight...