I am anxious and excited and nervous and scared. (What up Hemingway?). I have finally said my goodbyes to most friends and family and I leave in two days. Really I am just waiting for this to all start. I know I will miss everyone and everything about home, but that gnawing 'waiting' feeling needed to be dealt with. I think most people at one point or another have the tentative 'waiting' feeling, waiting for something to happen or take shape. I have been feeling this for the past three years and while I filled my weeks with races and events and friends, I always felt like I was waiting for the big things to happen. I'm hoping this is one of those big things because if not then I've made a huge mistake.

There is an old traditional Irish/Scottish song called The Parting Glass that was typically sung at the end of a gathering of friends. Like new years with Auld Lang Syne I've kind of been drawn to this one as the days and hours seem to be slipping away. It goes as follows:

Of all the money that ere I had, I spent it in good company.
And of all the harm that ere I've done, alas was done to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit, to memory now I cannot recall.
So fill me to the parting glass. Goodnight and joy be with you all.

Of all the comrades that ere I had, they're sorry for my going away,
And of all the sweethearts that ere I had , they wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot that I should rise while you should not,
I will gently rise and I'll softly call, "Goodnight and joy be with you all!"

Oh, if I had money enough to spend and leisure time to sit awhile
There is a fair maid in this town that sorely has my heart beguiled
Her rosey cheeks and ruby lips, she alone has my heart in thrall.
So fill me to the parting glass. Goodnight and joy be with you all.