My thermals are packed and I have a chocolate bar for each week I’ll be gone. Hush, don’t let my field mates know.

I’m in the Boston airport waiting for our flight to Dallas, where we’ll wait for our flight to Sydney, and then to Christchurch, New Zealand. My airline ticket reads a trip total of 31 hours and 54 minutes, including layovers. It’s ok, because I have 46 unheard podcast episodes of The Infinite Monkey Cage, and 18 unheard episodes of The Story Collider. Those, and a few naps, should get me into New Zealand with at least the remnants of sanity.

Kate and I will meet up with Rachel, Jay, and Esther at various stages of our flights. I’m always a little nervous to meet new people who I’ll very be close with in the field. It’s like getting new roommates, except they’ll be tentmates, coworkers, and bffs.

Next update will be from Christchurch!