I played more skyblock today. After failing horribly with the Nether portal, I restarted once again. I built out to the sand island, and set my water down to build a platform for the sand to fall safely down on when I was going to dig it up.

I jump in the water, start building downwards, and it freezes almost instantly. I then proceed to fall into the void with the bucket in my inventory.

Another try. I build out, make sure to cover the water so it won't freeze, and build under the platform. After successfully doing so, I loot the chest, grab the cacti, and head back to the main island. I then build up the Nether portal, and start to set it up to be lit using the lava. I put down some wooden planks so that when they caught on fire, they would light the portal. So, I do that. And wait. And wait. Eventually, it starts snowing again. I take this opportunity to craft a shovel and dig up some snow for when I have to make the snow golems. I get enough, and just start putting water down to get rid of it. I start doing so, and eventually I put water up in the air. I pick it up with the bucket, but the water stays. I destroy that water source, and go to put the water back into the generator.

I right click, and no water appears. Boy, all that waiting sure was fun for me to restart.

Third time, I repeat the process, and get the portal set up again. I don't touch the water this time. I make sure to make a backup so I wouldn't have to do EVERYTHING all over again. So, I continue waiting for the portal to light. Night falls, and the sun comes up. I decided that, come the morning, I would dig up the sand island. It snowed during the night time, so I decided to get some more snow. Right before I left, I saw more snow on the lighting apparatus and went to dig it up.

I managed to walk off the edge and fall into the void. And, for some stupid reason, I had the iron bucket in my inventory. Another restart.

FINALLY I dig up the sand island and bring it all back safely. I'm still waiting for the portal to light, so I decide to get all the dirt dug up at last, except for the top, grassy layer. So, I do so without a hitch. Now there's nothing left for me to do but wait for the freaking portal to light.

If it ever does.