Planning, Procrastinating

I'm procrastinating

I've barely researched anything about Scotland. It might be a cop-out to say this, but I just don't feel like it's my style to research ahead. I didn't for Italy, France, or Egypt...and I had amazing trips despite it. I'd rather feel the freedom to explore day to day than to to build up a detailed itinerary. Granted, I need to do a little planning. I will not have the luxury of 6+ weeks of travel. I have 12 days to explore after you take out the flight time to and from. I need to maximize my time to a certain degree.

I'm nervous about leaving the cats. I don't have great cat sitting plans set up and that worries me the most.

I find myself daydreaming about Scotland and building it up to be another "Italy Trip". I need to work on breaking that association now. This trip is very different and I want to enjoy it for all the new things it will bring to my life. I don't want to go into it with preconceived notions of what it should or shouldn't be.

To set myself straight---here's what I need to work on. I will use this blog entry to keep track of how I'm doing and update it throughout the week.

• Establish a cat sitter
• Make bill paying arrangements
• Call credit cards to authorize international expenses
• Stop mail dates 
• Longterm parking at SeaTac?
• Review Couchsurfing profiles, start making a list of potential people to email for surfing in Edinburgh and Glasglow
• Make a few itunes playlists
• Finish tattoo design and print it
• Plan out budget
• Call Dr. for sleeping/anxiety pills for the flight
• Make copies of my passport and send to myself/Dad
• Practice loading my pack and figure out what I really can and cannot take
• Transfer money between my two banks

To buy:

• Camera, or find existing one?
• Stock the house with food for the boys
• A small flat iron
• Microfiber towel
• New socks
• Gluten free power bars
• A compact journal
• A small messenger bag
• Clothes
• New tops that are light and travel friendly
• A dress & flats to go with
• Hoddie
• Yoga pants
• A pair of cords? (Opted for a lightweight nylon pant)