"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor.

Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

**Mark Twain**

In exactly one week from today will be on a plane heading to Lima, Peru. At 12 I will leave KC and fly to Atlanta, GA where I will then board for the long flight to Peru. Our travels do not stop there. We will then gather on a small plane for a flight to Iquitos and once we step off the plane we will then go aboard for a 4 hour speed boat ride to where we will finally be "home" for 2 weeks--a hut in the midst of the jungle. Not too many are thrilled that I am taking such an adventure. They see all the risks involved. This is true--they are risks with me going--but there are risks with me just walking down a flight of stairs. Everyone who knows me knows the stairs are quite a risk for me! (SMILE) When I think about my trip--I do not see risks, I see discovery, learning, and ADVENTURE and that is what I seek. I can hardly contain myself I am so excited to go. We will be conducting research while we are down there; how many people can honestly say that they have been to the 'jungle'? We will be fishing for pirhanas, hunting for anacondas, and examining the echolocation of bats to name a few of the things we'll be doing. The wildlife will be breathtaking, the simplicity of life will be peaceful (and challenging), and the awesomeness of the thrill of adventure will be ever so present. I started packing yesterday--we have research equipment to pack--so I wanted to start to pack now and minimize the chance that I'll leave something important behind. It will certainly be a long journey to get there; but I don't mind flying and I don't mind boating--so I think it'll be awesome--I'll just be sure to sleep a bit on the plane.

I've anticipated this trip for a few months--to know it is only a week away makes me want to do cartwheels. It is true, I will have no communication with the world for 13 days--but there is something in that thought that is refreshing. What a better place to 'center' yourself; in your mind and heart than in the gorgeousness of the jungle?!?! I will take some time to realize how convienent our lives really are (2 weeks of no electricity or running water should help that *smile*), to have some time to just really think, and to be able to use my knowledge of science to help further research---that to me is SOOOOOO exciting. This will surely be an adventure of a lifetime and I know all will be well. I am going to learn so much on this trip.

Hope everyone is doing well--Christmas in only a couple days away!!!

Picture: SOME of the equipment I have to take. NO, that is not a gun--it is a scope we made to look at primates in the trees.