Logistics

We have our reservations; international draft for the apartment rent; five inches of leg room; kitty sitters, iphone apps. Just have to pack and we're ready to go!

Sad news

Since I published the first post, we received the sad news that one of our triplet cats died. Our friend Marilyn (aka, the "Cat Whisperer") found him, apparently sleeping but alas not, in the front yard. Campari had been diagnosed with non-regenerative anemia in December. We weren't sure he was going to make it through Christmas, but he had been doing so well (same personality, appetite) that we were hopeful that he would make it through the spring and into summer. We are very sad---he was a wonderful kitty :(

Starting to get excited!

Believe it or not, I've been having mixed feelings about the upcoming month in Italy. There's a certain feeling of being on the precipice when planning for a long trip: trepidation about leaving the comfort of home, worrying about the elder-cats (triplets, fifteen years old this month). I've had this uncertainty before, even when I was younger, and know that it goes away as soon as everything is finalized--arrangements, packing, and you're on the way to the airport. Sort of like the feeling of jumping out of a plane--you may as well enjoy the ride!

I got that feeling a bit at Dulles yesterday, en route to California for the ASTA conference. We were grabbing a bite (no food on airplanes unless you buy it) and a group of five or six people sat down, speaking in another language. I got that frisson of anticipation. This morning, at breakfast, there were three businessmen, scanning their Blackberries and speaking in French. Again, that feeling of excitement. Greg and I feel very comfortable in Europe, particularly in Italy, and I know it will be a great time.