Nearly there..

My day actually started at 4am this morning when my eyes flew open due the the growing panic coursing through my veins. I was given A LOT of advice yesterday from the seemingly endless line of veteran Kili climbers at Gap Adventures. Well intentioned, I'm sure, but unfortunately, hearing "This will quite possibly be the hardest thing you will ever do in your life" at least 17 times has not only drained the courage from my already evaporating well of nerve, it has managed to plant a seed of anxiety that is becoming more deep rooted by the second. Today has been a headless chicken day. A chicken who has eggs in too many baskets. Simultaneously, I am uploading photos, answering calls from well-wishers, doing laundry, Skyping my sister, eating my breakfast, going over my checklist, and bartering with the garage sale lady on the street for her wicker ottoman..... What? It was a good deal. Notice how nothing on my list actually involves packing? That's cause I'm no where near that point yet. Still 2 more loads of laundry and a trip to MEC before I get there.

So now I sit here, surrounded by this pile of rubble, trying to get my head around what lies ahead of me. I'm feeling overwhelmed and I'm sick. Yup, the timing is impeccable. Haven't had a full on cold for 2 years, but 5 days before I climb a mountain, why not? I am trying to coddle my immune system, but it is just not having it. I think it knows what's in store for it next week and it's staging a protest.

My cold is not the only thing making me sick. I'm nervous. I just want to get there. Andrea compares this feeling to pre-examine jitters. The anticipation is always the worst, then when you're writing all nerves disappear and you do what needs to be done. Ready or not, here we come.