Am I Ready?

Of course I waited to the last minute to do laundry, get the things I need, and most importantly pack!  This year is a lot easier to pack for because I know exactly what I am getting myself into (at least I think I do).

It's been a little rough getting ready to go.  On Friday I was quite determined that I was not going to leave for Italy.  The reason for that is my younger brother Thomas.  Last Sunday night he had a stroke.  I was absolutely shocked that a 19 year old boy could have a stroke, but he did.  As any big sister would, I worried like crazy about him.  He has so much going for him, and he has his whole life ahead of him.  He is getting ready to start his second year of college, extremely active in sports, loves his girlfriend and all of his family.  Since he has been at the Neurological Critical Care Unit (NCCU) at Johns Hopkins Hospital, he has made tremendous strides.  Friday morning I was on the phone with the airline figuring out my options.  I said I would call back in the afternoon once I had made my decision.  Well, I got to the hospital to visit Thomas, and he looked awesome.  It was the best he had looked all week.  He was alert and interactive.  His speech was a million times better in that we could understand him perfectly, and he was moving around a little.  Although Thomas has a ways to go, the doctors say he will make a full recovery!  After seeing him, I knew it would be alright to go.  Besides, if I didn't leave, then he would be upset that I didn't bring him back a present.  He gave me the thumbs up that it was ok to go :)

my little big brother, Thomas

 

With all that being said, I finally finished packing for the trip.  I packed a lot lighter than last year too!  This was my goal because I learned my lesson the hard way last year.  You don't want to have more than one big piece of luggage when you are running through airports, train stations, cities, and who knows what else!

2011 Summer Trip

2012 Summer Trip

Let's hope my travels start off without a hitch!