I was awake until 4:30 in the morning yesterday arranging flights and hotel rooms. But everything is all set. Dean and I both have rooms in Berlin, I’m flying out tomorrow (or rather, today, since this will show up as Tuesday.) Anyway, scratch that, I’m flying out Tuesday afternoon and I’ll return on Saturday. I’ve been running around like mad today trying to get everything all set to go. I think I’m just about ready, except for finishing up one teensy thing on my dress, getting some dramamine (just in case there’s turbulance again, and so I can hopefully sleep), and calling my translator in Berlin to make sure everything’s all set.

Am I excited yet? I honestly couldn’t tell you because nothing’s sunk in yet. I talked to Dean last night and that was all a bit surreal. He was pretty funny, really. I told him that flights were around $2,000, but that I could solve that problem. I explained that my Father had enough frequent flyer miles to get me over there, to which Dean responded, “But can you get a frequent flyer mile flight in time?” It felt great to say, “That’s already taken care of.” Honestly, that whole conversation (or rather, all five of them) was just one long succession of “That’s already taken care of”s. That felt fantastic. You know why? Because I’ve been responsible for my own trip, my own business meeting. I didn’t have to rely entirely on anyone else. Yes, several wonderful people have helped amazingly, and I couldn’t have done it without them, but I was still in charge of my own fate, you know? My parents did take care of calling the airline to arrange the flight because I had to fly out the door Sunday night to visit that dear friend of mine who helped me fix my dress. And then there’s Translating Drew, doing his translatin’ thing.

You know, that dear friend of mine, she stayed here until 1:30 in the morning fixing that dress for me by hand. Isn’t she amazing? I love friends like that, who just get so excited for you and are so genuinely happy for you that they get involved and want you to succeed. She’s one of the most generous, thoughtful, caring people I know. I just love her for it. And she’s done an absolutely exquisite job on my dress.

You know what else I love? All of my other wonderful friends. I was so touched to hear from Ameya today that she had all of her youth group pray for me, for my health and for this whole project. Thank you, Ameya, I really believe that helped. It was just such a thoughtful thing for you to do and I’m indebted to you for your kindness and for the kindness of your friends.

And Chris – Thank you for your encouragement and for telling me about that interesting dream you had. 🙂 I read that when I was still feeling stressed out on Sunday and it really helped to lift that and cheer me up. Just gave me that little sliver of hope that I needed so I wouldn’t pull all of my hair out. You’re a great man, Chris, thank you.

Last, but certainly not least by any accounts, Leland stayed up incredibly late with me last night helping me search for hotels in Berlin. It took me four hours to find a hotel online through any kind of reputable booking service that would allow me to book two rooms at once. It was such a hassle, but Leland was right there to calm me down, help me search, and provide me with pleasant entertainment. He’s a great guy, you know, to stay up until past four in the morning to help me out, especially considering he had to get up for a nine am class this morning.

In the immortal words of Frank Capra’s Mr. Deeds: Gosh I gotta lot of friends.

Ah, I feel better now. But I am so dead tired. I have literally been running around all day. But I did get a lot done. Had to go buy new undies, got my nails done (for the first time in my life, I should add), and loads of other stuff that I just can’t remember right now. I probably won’t have time to blog tomorrow, so please excuse my absence until my return on Saturday. Although, I most likely won’t blog until Sunday.

Anyway, keep praying for me or crossing your fingers or knocking on wood or whatever it is that you do. I’ll appreciate it all. This is the home-stretch, people, let’s make it count, shall we? Also, add a little post-script that I’ll be safe. I am a tad bit nervous about venturing into Germany by myself. I’ll be meeting Dean at the hotel of course, but I’ll still be in my own room and then there’s the whole process of finding a cab (and cabs always make me nervous), and you know, all that traveling stuff. Oh, and I have to go through Paris. Eeks, I’m a bit nervous. But I shall go, I shall see, and I shall conquer. Correct? Let’s hope so. 🙂