It's Sunday morning. My calculus final is on Monday, my chemistry final is on Tuesday. On Wednesday, I am leaving for Perm, Russia, where I will be studying for 5 weeks. I haven't packed. I haven't studied for my finals. I haven't finished building my chicken coop or planting my garden. I haven't been to sleep yet, but I have to wake up at 8, because we need to get ready for the party. I'm throwing a party all day tomorrow.
What is wrong with me?
I have been in an enduring state of anxiety for a few days now. My jaw has started to hurt because I can't stop clenching my teeth. When I think about everything I need to do, my eyes tear up. I can't cancel the party because everyone would be sad. Maybe I won't come. Maybe no one will notice. I'll make an appearance, after everyone is drunk. They'll remember my presence but not the details.
I guess I'll lighten my post up with some highlights from Prof. Tom's travel instructions:
About the long flight to Russia: "If you are interested in learning the Russian you should have learned in class, this might be the time to get started."
"There is a green and a red channel, but the red is for chickens (those thinking their valuables are worth something or else those unwilling to attempt the gauntlet)... the Red Channel is for wimps… I would never go there. Follow my lead."
"Tell them all Нет, спасибо. And keep moving."
"I’ll try to broker a deal with the driver ... Be prepared for a rough 20-minute ride."
"There was some sort of parasite in the Moscow water that people used to warn against, but in 6 years I never felt the effects of it."
"[In Russia] Pedestrians do not have the right of way."
P.S. Dear Daddy: Tom is a very responsible man. He was just joking. We will all stay very safe and everything will go perfectly.
