" Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than those you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."  -Mark Twain

I wasn't planning on writing until the trip was underway, but I'm too excited not to. I went shopping with Mom today and got all of the last minute essentials (foul weather gear, polarized sunglasses, and Margaritaville boatshoes). I called Jeremy this morning after having an epiphany. He wasn't in so I left a message. He called as soon as he could (he was at his last dentist visit before we leave), relaying that my message sounded urgent. In my head it was- I told him our first stop is Cuba and that we'll need to stock up on the world's best cigars.

I've been searching the internet lately, and I'm beginning to realize that this really is a once in a lifetime trip. There aren't many websites (especially recent ones) devoted to sailors circumnavigating the globe. In my mind, everyone should want to sail, visit far away islands, and eat what they catch. Speaking of parrotheads, Jimmy Buffet's new album, Take the Weather with You, is out. It's inspired me once again to write music. I'm taking my Apple iBook on the trip with me- it came with GarageBand recording software. Who knows, maybe I'll record a cd at sea. A good friend of mine, Emily Ross, sent me a journal (that was definitely high on my list of things to bring), and The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning. Basically, I plan to keep a personal journal, continue blogging when I get into port, write songs, keep up to date with Vince Flynn novels (Act of Treason just came out), meditate with God, learn to sail, and catch up on sunrises and sunsets. If at all possible, I'd like to see the new James Bond movie Casino Royale in a theater (we'll probably be in Panama when it comes out). Yep, as sabbaticals go, that sounds about right.