Casual Carol is Dead

And I might be next. Or maybe just dormant for the next two weeks. As we say goodbye to 2009 and hello to an early morning Jersey snowfall, I have given up hope of going someplace for New Years Eve. I succomb to my fate and here I am being completely honest about the downturn of my social life. It's like the Anti-International Steph.

I was thinking about hiding it but decided I should just put my sad little life out there. Isn't that what blogs are for? Plus I think my dad and Sarah Eilers are the only people who read this.

Due to financial limitations (and honestly general apathy about this New Years Eve), I will spend my evening at home. With my brother. At least we have treated ourselves to lobster (though it is not from Maine, Jimmy O'Brien would be terribly upset with me) and will most likely stick straws in bottles of wine. James likes cabernet and I am in the mood for some bubbly prosecco. Who knows, perhaps we will manage to have a little fun? Or maybe I will get drunk enough and leave incredibly awkward videos on people's facebook walls. Or run around with my new camera and take pictures of gnomes hidden around the house. I really do have such an exciting life. Luckily I am blessed with the ability to seriously entertain myself. Though if things do get really bad, I think I might hitch hike to the Colorado Cafe.

Please note: if I could have, I would have made the trek to Vermont. However, we all know how I like to treat myself to the finer things in life and it was finally necessary to show some restraint. I hope Katie is extremely surprised and am glad that my friends are all together. I miss you guys and thank you for your generous offers. We are so lucky to have each other and be able to celebrate life.

So this is me. Saying Happy New Year. I really am so optimistic about 2010. New beginnings (and well-deserved I think). I laugh hysterically when I think about my upcoming travels. Did I mention the fact that I am flying Kuwait Airways to India? I bet I will meet some superbly interesting folks on my airplane.

Actually, it is probably a good thing that I am not going away tonight. I have way too much to do before I leave -- between completing my checklist, my father's checklist, and quelling my mother's fears that I am a nut job. I am easily distracted because I enjoy looking at pictures of cats online more than I enjoy things like organizing my life. It is time to get serious about the fact that I will be outside of the United States for nearly 5 months.

I also need to create a packing list. This is something I have been thinking about discussing on the blog since I think I need some advice. So far it looks like I am bringing 3 tshirts, 1 long sleeve (that will really bring out the color in my beautiful eyes), 1 fleece like half zip, 1 rain coat. I will invest in a pair of pants that can also become shorts (never in my life did I imagine jumping on board that trend...), I have a pair of quick dry pants, 2 pairs of shorts, and a skirt. I also plan on bringing a scarf to hide my lovely hair and buying a wedding band to thwart potential Indian suitors.

Already included items in my pack will be a) mosquito net b) trendy mosquito hat c) lots and lots of bug spray d) pepto e) the drinking hat and f) a little gnome.

What else do I need? I just don't know. Should I bring my sleeping bag? Am I bringing too many articles of clothing? For all those people who ever made fun of me for my dirty white t-shirt, just wait. This will be exactly like that but intensified by 5 months.

So once again, happy new year. May your night be a bit more exciting than mine (though I won't be jealous for too long once I hop on my Kuwait Airways flight to India). My arms are wide open to welcome in this 2010 and embrace my nomadic life -- absent of showers but filled with stamps in my passport.