Halfway across the country...almost

It's a good thing I got some down time in Zanzibar, because upon returning to Atlanta, I was running around trying to get errands done, wrap things up at CDC, and get packed. Absolutely crazy time. Of course, I didn't get all the things I would've liked to get completed done at work, but oh well. Thank goodness for email and modern technology. The work will eventually get done, and sooner than later if I have my way.

But, enough about work, or the old work. I spent Tuesday night frantically packing (or rather, throwing things in) my bags and some boxes., but once I got that all settled, I relaxed and enjoyed a late dinner and evening with some of my good friends from my days at CDC. What a great way to spend my last night, just chatting and laughing with good friends on a beautiful night. I may not miss Atlanta, but I will miss all my good friends there.

The next morning, I got up early and went for a run (of course), then quickly cleaned up my apartment. I had spent the night with my EIS buddy, Priti; I'm going to miss our flippant quips at each other, although I'm sure we'll still do that occasionally over the email. ;) So, I said good bye to her, then starting packing (more like stuffing) the car. I would've started my long drive then except that I had two things left to do: a walk-through with the leasing agent (fortunately quick and painless) and dropping off several bags of stuff to be donated at the Goodwill truck (not so quick - the truck was closed up, so I ended up going across town and dropping everything at a thrift store - was not about to take everything across country with me and didn't feel good about just leaving the bags sitting by the truck). Finally, though, at 11am, I was on I20, on my way to Dallas.

Some of you will smile about this and understand, but my route took me through Anniston, AL. I was through there in a blink of an eye, to use that cliche, although the memory of my experience there will linger with me always. :) Talk about endless driving. At least, the areas I drove through are all green. Crossing the Mississippi River was an impressive experience. I always forget how huge that river is. My car did a great job on the drive, although, to my extreme disappointment and irritation, I quickly realized that my cruise control doesn't seem to work. Spending hours at a time with one' right leg in one position is not exactly comfortable. Of course, neither is spending hours with one's arms in a somewhat raised position exactly relaxing. It was a long and hot drive; my car thermostat read about 93-94 degrees F for most of the way, occasionally higher. Ugh. I stopped twice. Once to fill up with gas and make myself a PB & J sandwich, and again to grab a salad at Wendy's for dinner and again fill up with gas. Otherwise, I was determined to keep going so that I wouldn't get to my friend Alex's in Dallas too late despite the late start. Eventtually, I made it (by about 10:45pm their time, 11:45pm EST), although I would've been there an hour sooner if I hadn't taken a wrong exit and had to turn around and then missed another exit. Fortunately, I called Alex to let her know where I was (thank God for cell phones), and then she nearly had a cow because when I told her, she said I'd gone way past where they were and didn't know it. Oops. She talked me back, and I gratefully arrived at her wonderful house, where I am now enjoying her and her husband Jeff's hospitality, along with their little menagerie of animals (2 Maine coon cats and 1 cute and very friend dog with questionable Labrador mix heritage). Alex is an award-winning science writer for the Dallas Morning News (she's going to kill me for writing that...), and Jeff writes books (casual and now a big "trade" book - i.e., reference book) on astronomy. They often tell me that I have an interesting career, but I think they both have and are involved in some really interesting projects. Alex has camped at the North Pole....

Anyway, I'm enjoying friend-hopping across the country and am looking forward to being in my new home soon.

By the way, I promise to blog about my Tanzania adventure in more detail later, when I get to my parents' house and can spend a bit more time on the computer.