I am flying back to the States for three weeks tomorrow. I really don't know how it works but these days it seems like there is always one more thing to do. I seem incapable of getting ahead of my to-do list.

For example, more than three days ago I ran out dish soap while washing dishes. I was forced to stop half way through. Then for three days dish soap sat on the middle of my to-do list without ever getting crossed off. Meanwhile, dirty dishes were piling up. At one point, I wondered: does this mean I can just through my dirty dishes out? Answer: no. Finally I picked up dish soap and this morning I tackled my giant stack of dirty dishes. The pile is especially impressive considering the fact I haven't had any real food in my refrigerator more than a week.

Today, I've got to pack. I've got to clean up my apartment. I've got to touch bases with some friends. I've got take out the garbage. I've got to scrounge up my passport and some euro for the three hour layover I've got in Paris. I've got to download some books for my kindle and make sure that my ipod is charged. None of these things is hard in and of itself each one just takes time and attention.