Commencing Countdown Engine's On

An idea hatched with Josh at Ngon in February of this year is about to become a reality.  I've taken a leave-of-absence from Cretin-Derham Hall for the 2010-2011 school year and will use that time to explore the broader world; hopefully finding the outer reaches in the same style and episodic quality as Fire Fly.  Or Star Trek.

The MN weather has been astounding - 70 degree days, the maples hysterically heralding autumn - I've barely finished painting my house and I'm almost done with Target and Midwest Mountaineering.  This week has a madcap adventure trying to shop, pack, and see everyone before shipping out - it has certainly helped that the weather is perfect and my friends and family are all amazing.

Ellie, Anna and the food!

To that end my brother PJ hosted a small dinner party last night to help send me off in style - and what style!  After attending a number of gathering this weekend (Justin and Betsy's send off, Michelle's water park birthday party, old friends in from out of town expectedly and unexpectedly, and numerous coffees, walks and lunchtime meetings), I thought maybe I had experienced the gamut of goodbyes - but no!  The dinner, while it could not be attended by all good friends (both for space and schedules), was a powerful reminder of what I am leaving behind, and what I will return to.

PJ and Lora

Michelle, Josh and Ben

Tony and Josh

With lots of help from Lora and Jonathan (and Eggers), PJ put on an amazing spread of food (zucchini bread, pot roast, roasted veggies, squash, an enormous pot of chili, and a rotisserie chicken (why not?).  Folks brought drinks and more food and we were off - a feast!

Ellie, Ben, Tony, PJ, Kevin

Nick, Avye, PJ and Laura

I was moved, humbled by watching these incredible people from my life interact with each other - for a little while I was a small hub of a great wheel. The room felt amazing - it reminded me of the parties Tony and I used to host at the river house, knowing how great everyone was and being excited about every introduction. I felt so grateful to have such an awesome group of people around me. Forgive the cliche, but it felt like the final scenes of a movie - various parts of my life coalesced by the company of amazing people - sharing memories, telling stories. It afforded me the opportunity to be at ease in the chaos of preparing to leave the country, to relax with everyone orbiting the life I've been living, the life I hope to return to. Traveling will be for me an affirmation of this group, everyone there and not there. You folks, readers, will be behind me when I face something new and scary, when I am tired and confused and frustrated; you will be behind the faces of the strange new friends I will make, the familiar in impossibly unfamiliar places. This makes my journey possible.
And, of course, the woman who could not be there, but who will make my 'here' a more fulfilling place for the next 8 months, who will help create the self I'll bring back, parts of me I'll be proud to share through photos and stories.  Many of you know I am starting my trip in Sweden to visit Corinne, who was behind many of my smiles when I talked about being nervous or excited about leaving.  Corinne, train tracks of my heart (who can be found here), will make Sweden my home base across the puddle.  And will be the subject of many rambly and poorly constructed sentences here.

Thank you again, everyone.  I feel ready to roll - a turtle on skates.