the domestic zoo

mmmmmm…..Mountain Dew and a pepperoni Hot Pocket, late-night snack of champions

Well, I think my brain has finally started to recover. I mentioned it to mom, and something she said struck a chord, and that was I don’t think I realized how intensely focused I was on school.

And when it was finally over, my mind was so exhausted it took a wee bit of a break  But now it’s back, baby! It even scored me a 155 on this silly IQ test thingy. Anyway…

Now that I can spend a significant amount of time just focusing on and prepping for the trip, I’m realizing how much stuff there is to do . Just preparing the animals for my two week absence is going to be a lot of work. It’s only 59 days away…

Before I leave for Ethiopia in July, I need to:

» Have all my vaccinations (Hep. A and B, tetanus, and yellow fever)

» Wean myself off of caffeine…*twitch*

» Have blank tapes and detailed instructions so that my Sci-Fi Fridays will get taped (hey, it’s important!)

» Have all my supplies and be completely packed.

It’s that last one that’ll be the most work, for obvious reasons. I’ve already started my packing list, and it seems to grow longer every day. Here’s what I’ve got so far:

Sleeping bag – needs to be light and very compact. So far I like this one and this one.

Pillow - still looking for one that’s not too bulky

Flashlight – needs to provide good lighting, not burn out too quickly, and not be too big. Someone recommended a good one that I need to go check out…

Raincoat (Kayla borrowed mine *cough*)

Fleece jacket or sweatshirt

Sandals/Shoes – need to be fairly waterproof

Clothes…that’s as far as I’ve gotten with that one

Bible – I’d like to have my new ESV by then…

Journal

Camera – thinkin’ I’ll bring the digital (when we finally decide on one)

Ziploc Bags and Duct Tape – don’t leave home without them…

and then there’s all the toiletries (can you say Diva? ), plus the mini-medicine cabinet:

Immodium – a must have

Airborne – it saved my butt (or rather, my nose) in Romania, definitely want to have some with me…

Doxycycline, or whatever anti-malarial meds they give us

Vitamins/pain relief – not something you want to go without

There’s a lot more besides all that, including the things we’ll be bringing over and leaving for the kids.

Exciting but a little overwhelming

Still recovering from school-induce brain numbness…

These reasons are almost good enough to make me want to step foot in Wally World again…well, not quite, but they’re funny

20 Things to do in Wal Mart

1. Set all the alarm clocks to go off at ten minute intervals throughout the day.

2. Make a trail of orange juice on the floor to the rest rooms.

3. Walk up to an employee and tell him/her in an official tone, “I think we have a Code 3 in housewares,” and see what happens…

4. Attempt to put a bag of M&M’s on layaway.

5. Move ‘CAUTION WET FLOOR’ signs to carpeted areas.

6. Set up a tent in the camping department; tell others you’ll only invite them if they bring pillows from the Bed and Bath department.

7. When someone asks if they can help you, begin to cry and ask, “Why won’t you people just leave me alone?”

8. Look right into the security camera and use it as a mirror while you pick your nose.

9. While handling guns in the hunting department, suddenly ask the clerk if he knows where the anti-depressants are.

10. Dart around suspiciously while humming the theme from “Mission Impossible.”

11. Hide in the clothing rack and when people browse through say “Pick me! Pick me!”

12. When an announcement comes over the loud speaker assume the fetal position and scream, “No! No! It’s those voices again.”

13. Go into the fitting room and yell real loud, “Hey we’re out of toilet paper in here!

14. Sample all the spray air fresheners.

15. When there are people behind you, walk really slowly, especially in narrow aisles.

16. Turn all the radios to polka stations, then turn them off and turn the volume up to full blast.

17. As the cashier runs your purchase over the scanner say “BEEP” in a loud voice.  Repeat this for every item, and for other customers items.

18. Test the fishing rods and see what you can catch from other aisles.

19. Randomly throw things over into neighboring aisles.

20. Take up an entire toy aisle by setting up a full-scale battle: G.I. Joe vs. Lord of the Rings.

One of the best animal photographers I have ever seen: Rachael Hale

www.rachaelhale.com