Another Check Mark on the List

I have "to-do" lists. In fact, I sort of live by them. I find that I'm much more productive if I write down the things that pop into my head--call Pastor so-and-so, book the hotel room for District Council--and then make a nice long list.

I try to fit so many things into a day and those things sometimes take more time than I realize, like Arabic class that only takes an hour in the classroom but two hours a day of studying to keep up. I find myself spending more and more time with my nieces, because I'm already realizing how much I'll miss them when I leave. I imagine the poor kids will be confused as to where I've gone off to, as well. Now that spring is here, I'm trying to be more active, so gym time gets added to the list. As the date of departure looms over me, I get more stressed about business issues; I'm always adding "call so-and-so with question about visa" and similar directives to the ever-lengthening list. And then, there are the silly things like, "laundry" and "deposit checks at bank" that don't' seem like high priority until suddenly I realize I need clean clothes and money in my checking account TODAY!

I spent most of the afternoon today trying to attack as much of my list as possible, so that there will be room for tomorrow's needs and the day after's, and so it goes . . .