Friday, June 22, 2012

DAY 0 - The Launching Pad

Rocket Launch or Meteor? You Decide!
Today is that moment in APOLLO 13* when the rocket finally launches. After months of preparation, training, and Mission Control consultation over whether I can wet my space suit, I'm ready to go — my bag is packed, all 48 lbs of my 50lb limit, I've got my X-Desk (see blog entry), I've said my farewells, and there's no turning back.

I can't really express how excited I am to travel so much, so far, and with so little idea of what it will be like. Tomorrow I fly to see my sister near Baltimore for one week. I've left my car behind, sold my bike, put my stuff in storage, and leave home behind. 

A week after that, I fly to Paris, where I I sort of speak the language, but it's different from the U.S. And 7 weeks later, it's off to a very different place where I know I'll have to struggle to read, to speak, to communicate. It's going to be quite a challenge and I can't wait!

There's nothing I can do now but trust that what I've set in motion will work out. 


*The APOLLO 13 reference does not mean I think that my oxygen will start leaking into space. It's more of a "Look, Ma! I'm on a rocket!" kind of moment.

3 comments:

  1. Soar! Can't wait to hear all about it!

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  2. Thanks you guys, I will take you every step of the way. Well, ok, not EVERY step of the way. I mean, you don't need to know that
    - I woke up this morning
    - I'm breathing
    - I turned the doorknob, etc.

    But you know, all the important steps like:
    - Today I'm visiting my sister and her family in Maryland.

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