The trouble is, you think you have time

What feels like only a couple of weeks ago I was saying there are 4 months before I go, now I'm saying there are 4 weeks. 4 tiny little weeks!! 

Time. Is. Flying. 

I'm in that funny place where I just want it to be time to go already, but I also want more time before I go. I'm trying to enjoy these planning stages as much as I can because it's all part of the experience, and it's all going to be over too soon. 

My emotions are up and down and all over the place. I'm pretty thick skinned when it comes to what people think of me, but sometimes that 1% of people who like to tell me I'm not going to make it, or who think what I'm doing is ridiculous, or who take the piss out of what I'm wearing, or who tell me that I'm going to get eaten by a bear - sometimes they really get to you. Donate some money to Cancer Research and you can take the piss as much as you like, until then, if you don't have anything nice to say...

But, on a more positive note, 99% of people have been amazingly supportive AND the donations have been coming in!! WOOHOO! I am always amazed by the kindness and generosity of strangers. £281.60 and rising...

Also, I've had some great offers of support while I'm away – offers to post me treats, send me letters, and one of my most ridiculous friends has said she will write some short stories – which will probably be about dwarf lesbian vampire nuns – I can't wait! 

Generallythings are going very well. I have rented my house (phew). Started packing up all my stuff (meh). Almost finished buying my kit (almost). I've even been making some of my own kit (quite pleased with myself)...

...I've organised all my maps (so many maps)...

I've ticked off 23 points of my 30 point to do list (yeah, I know)!! I've booked the second part of my adventure in Nepal (eek). Me and my massive bag have become one (I feel a bit lost without it). And most importantly I have decided which films I am going to watch on the flight to San Diego. It's all about prioritising...