New blog? New layout?

Before I dive into the abyss of my mind I have a question for those of you that are following my blog (and if you're reading this I assume that you are): Do you find yourself wanting to comment on one of my posts but are deterred by the fact you have to have a google account to do so? If so, I may have found a solution. I've been toying with the idea of changing over to wordpress.com, another blogging site, where anyone can comment without having any kind of account. My frustration is that I can't customize the colors and such to match this one (I'm quite fond of the brown color scheme and globe background) but in the end having feedback from people is more important. That said, could you please vote in my new poll with your opinion? Thank you in advance :)

Now, I suppose I should start describing the sea of emotions I have been and am currently swimming through with 4 days left before my departure. At the forefront is anxiety; anxiety over packing (which I finally started and feels like will never end), anxiety over having everything done on time, whether or not I'll be able ot visit Milwaukee one final time due to the inconvenient "wintry mix" of weather, spending as much time with my family as possible, packing, forgetting essential items, adapting to South African culture, and did I mention packing? I know I'll be okay once I get there and the excitement will override everything else but right now it's just a matter of taking it a day at a time, even an hour at a time...

Apart from anxiety I'm kind of at an emotional standstill. I feel numb...I'm living a façade, not realizing that in less than 4 days my normal everyday routine is going to evaporate and be transformed into a completely different kind of "normal" over the next 5 months. I will encounter a plethora of new sights, tastes, smells, sounds, experiences but right now it's difficult to comprehend. Perhaps it's because I have 2 empty suitcases sitting across the room from me, staring me down...I should go fix that. 

On a lighter and totally unrelated note, I saved $500 shopping at Kohl's today! What originally started as a mission to find a white T-shirt expanded into a whole shopping extravaganza. It was awesome! If any of you need winter boots for next year they are having an incredible sale where I got 3 pairs of $80 boots for $30 each. Sorry, the savvy shopper in me was very satisfied and I felt compelled to share :P Speaking of savvy shopper, I experience this money-saving-excitement whenever I shop at my favorite store, "Your Best Friend's Closet." Definitely worth checking out if you're in the Chicago-land area. A little shout out to my favorite ladies there!  ♥

All in all, I have faith in God and myself that everything will be just fine. Besides, every great journey begins with a single step. 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Philippians 4:6

Now where did I put those pink socks...?

Janelle