The Very First Day

Hello all!  In a perfect world I would have set this blog up weeks ago.  I would have detailed the journey from application to nomination to medical clearances to legal to whatever else I did.  Its not a perfect world.  And I am not the perfect blogger.  Nonetheless, here I am, writing to you at 10:06 PM while on my bed in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Miami.  The past 48 hours has been a whirlwind.  Saturday night was my going away party, and it was fantastic.  It was great to see everybody coming together just to say goodbye.  Sunday was a bit tougher.  Essentially it was saying goodbye to one person after another.  First there was Joshie.  Usually its a slap on the back and a "see ya soon"  this time was different.  I teared up, and despite his rock hard exterior, I think he did too :)  Next came Bridget, Daniel, Max and Lila.  Its really tough knowing that I might not see my niece and nephew for another two years.  They will change so much, I will miss so much.  I felt like I was abandoning them.  As if I wasn't close enough to losing it,  after hugging everyone goodbye I had to drive Suzy to the airport.  Now if you don't know,  Susannah Ayliffe has been my rock throughout this whole application process.  She has kept me organized, motivated me, buoyed my spirits, and generally been absolutely amazing.  How selfless to devote your time to helping your significant other move away from you.  I don't know if I would be in this position today were it not for her. (thank you Bruiser!)  

     When I got home from the airport I went out to dinner with the rents.  As always, hanging with them is both wonderful and trying.  That last night of packing  and this morning's trip to the airport made the scope of this trip so much more obvious.  I am so lucky to have parents who support me leaving the country for 2 years.  Who will take all my crap and put it in their gorgeous new home, who I know will come and visit me as soon as they can, and who are generally the most caring and involved parents I have ever known.  When I was a teenager I would complain about family dinners and friday nights at home.  Thank you, mom and dad, for giving me a foundation that I can build on for the rest of my life.  

    After all the events of the past few days, today was pretty tame.  Basically I have walked in, made some friends, and sat through four hours of lecture.  Tomorrow is an early morning, so I am going to turn in.  But I promise to keep this blog going and tell all about what this experience is like.  Please Please Please feel free to share this with friends, family etc.  My internet musings are as much for me as they are for you.  

from tropical storm'd miami...

jake