T Minus 9 days...

[augie]

OK - the anticipation isn't quite as acute as last year. That was our first stay on STJ, and someone (Rick G if I recall correctly) made a comment along the lines of "I think he's going to bust" as my excitement bubbled over into my posts on this forum.

I do find myself getting more and more preoccupied with the trip as it gets closer. Being busy at home and at work helps some, but I imagine I'll once again be a basket case by this time next week!

What are some of your time proven strategies for surviving your pre-trip week?

[sapphirecat]

Hello, Augie,

Mr Sapphirecat and I just bought a new *light weight* suitcase to try. We travel with scuba gear. Making up the packing list and configuring the packing takes up plenty of the "slack" of the week before our trip.

On top of that, it helps a lot to give yourself plenty of time if you have essentials to pack. Living in a little apt., I can't put all the scuba gear in one place in the basement. The wetsuits hang in one closet, the bcs are in another, the masks are in a storage drawer. Then my Rx goggles are in my gym bag. There's a lot to bring together.

Let's not even talk about the camera/computer stuff.

I think I'd better start packing now!

Cat

[JC]

Augie...you could try sleeping with your snorkel gear on...or drinking Bloody Mary's at work every morning...just sayin'...

Have a great trip...

[mahojim]

Augie-
I'm feeling ya'! 3 days to go for us!
We're already packed! Love listening to reggae, and 'island country' already, but they both seem to soothe me moreso just before the trip. It's like foreplay!
I've also already been mixing up 'Pain Killers' at work for those not going to STJ, as well. (I bartend-)They're always a hit!
Drank some dark & cokes' last night which were delish, but will somehow taste better when we land on saturday!
Sending you a PM so's we hopefully meet up-
Smiles!!!
MJ

[msgcolleen]

TOP 10 LIST OF THINGS TO DO TO GET READY FOR STJ
1. Cruzan dark, ginger-ale & lime.
2. Bob Marley in the background.
3. Suitcases open & ready to be packed.
4. Check webcam 10 times a day. Especially sunset.
5. Chit-chat on the forum letting everyone know you are getting ready to leave!!
6. Don't forget the heavy duty bug spray!
7. Check the STJ 10 day forecast.
8. Go out to dinner so you don't have to buy food that will go bad next week.
9. Apply self tanning lotion each day or sit in the sun, or tanning booth or all of the above.
10. Rub it in at work!

Island soon come!

[RickG]

I've been downloading tunes from Amazon MP3 (actually, cheaper and higher quality than itunes with no DRM):

- Richie Spice, Gideon Boot (On the headphones now!!)
- Inner Visions, Finally Captured Live
- The Supervillains, Massive

The Supervillains are on STT the weekend of November 1.

Augie will indeed POP! Remember to make those decompression stops on the way to STJ!

Cheers, RickG

[Ksea]

It's hard to believe I've been planning for this (SOTB II) trip for about a year and now I'm down to the last 10 days! Luckilly work keeps me busy and I have no full days off until the day of departure. I think I'm ready

[sea-nile]

9 days here for me too! I tried to get my body ready for rum this past weekend. Maybe I will have to work on that this weekend too!

[loria]

wel Augie, all i can say is that I am already obsessing about our upcoming trip and I have 2 months to go!--I imagine i will need serious drugs when there are only 9 days to go.....so no advice on how to prepare--but do have a GREAT trip!

[theshopper3]

Augie,
Sorry can't help ya with this one........... I get stupider the closer it gets. I try my best to keep busy both at work & home.
Make plans to visit friends & family, read the forum 10 times a days, make sure my packing is done early & then check it over & over

My worst day is the night before, i just keep going, Larry always laughs at me & tells me to slow down, but I can't. I just wish you could blink your eyes & be on Island.

Hang in there, it will all be worth it, when you get your first view of the Island going into Cruz Bay, always makes me chocked up

Looking forward to meeting you at the Beach Bar Sunday.

The Shopper

[kklay]

Man, I am going NUTS! We drive up to Detroit Friday night (6 of us) for an early morning flight. So as far as I'm concerned, vacation starts Friday evening. I'm so happy to have a longer trip this time to St. John. I've made a list of things I'd like to do. My suitcases are open, I've got "STUFF" laying all over the spare bedroom. Now, if I could only get WORK to cooperate and stop bothering me with "requests/assignments." It always seems to be like this right before vacation, so as you can imagine, the drinks flow pretty fast the first day on-island. Oh, and by the way, we have 5 more friends joining us the 2nd half of our trip, should be fun!

[California Girl]

What are some of your time proven strategies for surviving your pre-trip week?

Valium!

[Lulu76]

I've got just a couple of weeks myself, and it is making me crazy. I'm already packed because I put my summer stuff in a suitcase ages ago.

Tonight, I plan to go home and listen to some Buffet and drink painkillers while I make supper. I am pretty excited about my trip -- new villa, new folks, new Jeep rental company, a sailboat trip. I am really excited.

Luckily, I am pretty busy at work, so I'm not unbearable. Now, I am off to design a cover for our education catalog for next year!

[MarkR]

We have 13 days before wheels up. Been reading and rereading Feet, Fins & Four Wheel Drive and Off the Beaten Path to plan some hikes that we have never done before.

Also with all of the help from you guys, been planning snorkel trips to find the elusive turtle for the DW.

Hope to meet up woth some of you at the Beach Bar on
Sunday 11/9 & 11/16.

Mark

[Lulu76]

Yay, more Beach Bar folks!!! (Even though I'm pretty sure I am going to run out of glow-in-the-dark bracelets!)

I am now concentrating on making a beachy iPod mix so I can just put it on and not fiddle with the iPod all week (I have this neato waterproof case for it.).