Its next week

Its here! I leave next Wednesday. Ahhhhhhhh I'm excited and nervous. The nervousness is actually about coming back into the US. The visa/ greencard stamp in my passport allows me in the US until December 20 - lets see if I can pull strings and get another stamp in my passport. I can't tell you how much I hate customs/ entering into the US - treated like a foreinger (which I am) but hey - its been 9 years - give me a break!!! And the stamp is also important because I want to go home for Christmas............... can I pull off the christmas miracle of last year.

Yes. 9 years ago today I left Australia for Denver, Colorado. Its been an amazing journey. 

I really am burnt out right now. So much has been going on this year, convention and working 15 hour days, selling the house, packing and moving. I'm exhausted. Mentally and emotionally exhausted. here's a great article that articulates campaign exhaustion - regardless of being a winner or loser (feels great to win though!!) - this is a great article.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/07/brazile.losers/index.html

While in Ethiopia - the dogs will be staying with a friend. They had a test run on Saturday and had a sleep over. They did great. The apartment felt empty without them. I think its great they we just moved house and they have adjusted, can stay at someone elses home and feel ok.

Ok, so to those of you picturing me sleeping in a hut with cockroaches - I can allay your fears to rest. This is the hotel where we will be for the first two nights, then onto Project Mercy.

http://www.ararathotelethiopia.com/index.html

Here's a great map of Ethiopia.

http://www.maps.com/map.aspx?pid=1571

Julia G
xo