Another lengthy day of jackhammering the second concrete pillar in the backyard. I want to finish this as soon as possible so that I can get started on any other things that needs to be done around the house. Autumn is fast approaching, and that means cutting back the fig tree, gathering up all the dying tomato and sunflower vines, and mixing in fresh compost into the nutrient-drained soil. Seeing how I’m leaving on October 10th, I don’t want to leave all the work up to my dad whom has aged considerably since last year. Maybe it’s adulthood calling my name; maybe it’s family duties. I don’t know. The point is, I drilled away 10 concrete blocks, which is amazingly about halfway through the pillar. Amongst the deafening sound of metal on rock and fumbling to restart the music on my iPhone, (I’ve dropped it once too many times and the music will stop at the slightest movement from the earbuds) I missed both the UPS and FedEx trucks pulling up and rapping-a-tapping on my front door. Both birdies were supposed to pay me a visit next Tuesday! Stork UPS delivered me my Siesta sleeping bag and the Large Therm-a-Rest sleeping pad (thanks Haley for the idea) from REI. Stork FedEx was impatient and flew away, leaving a feather on my door for me to go pick the package up. Knowing that the package held an Apple iMac that I helped my dad order, I rushed over to get it. Joy, oh joy. Who would have thought that apples are so beautifully edible. I now hold a claim on the iMac until I leave. As I giggly type on the wireless keyboard, I am snuggled in my new sleeping bag. Oh, one more thing. I had to return my Osprey Meridian because I got a better price online. Unfortunately, though, they were sold out of Meridians so I got a Sojourn. The two bags are similar enough with the Sojourn lacking only a day pack. At least I gain 5 liters in space! Hurrah! The new Sojourn will adopt the name I named my Meridian: Kezdet. Things are slowly falling into place. Pretty soon I’ll be chopping off my hair, packing, and farewelling everyone. Surreally bizarre.