Nothing ventured, nothing gained

Tonight, I get on a plane to Barcelona.

I'm feeling the full gamut of emotions - excitement, anxiety, joy, fear, elation, and some that I don't even have a name for. This sensational cocktail has made it difficult for me to accomplish everything that I had planned to do before leaving. To say the least, it has exacerbated my propensity for procrastination. Regardless of my preparedness level, I am gone as of 9pm Eastern tonight.

The last few weeks have flown by like a dream, as I have been simultaneously undertaking last-minute preparations for a two-week European vacation immediately followed by a year-long work and travel program. I have packed and re-packed my suitcase countless times. I'm certain that my carry-on laptop bag exceeds the weight limit, and that there are at least five crucial items that I've forgotten to pack.

During this time, I've also managed to pack in a pre-vacation vacation to Las Vegas, with two of my closest friends. My pocketbook will be missing its good friend, money! (Sadly we did not discover the Margaritaville Happy-Hour Special of five-cent draft beer until our last day). I could lament the expense, but I choose not to; if I've learned anything in my life, is that our time on earth is about experiences, not possessions, and we are only wealthy in moments, whether introspectively undertaken or shared with those quality people that we love and are so lucky to call our friends and family.

On that note, I have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and encouragement from family, friends and colleagues. At no point, from the day that I submitted my application to Remote Year, signed on to travel the world to today, my last day in Canada, did I receive a single discouraging or questioning remark. It's a testament to how well the people I keep close know me. I follow my gut; when I have made a decision to do something, I see it through and so far, have absolutely zero regrets. In the last few weeks I have become a broken record, telling everyone that I meet about my journey - cab drivers, cashiers, window cleaners - obviously my excitement is palpable.

Over the last few weeks I have been to several farewell parties, visits with friends and family, not to mention some incredible meals and one or two adult beverages. In fact, as I write this I am pretty hung over. This is probably not the ideal state for which to embark on a journey, but it was worth it. My colleagues and I left work early and headed to my mother's house in the country, where we played lawn games, had some barbecue and sat around the fire pit. It was a perfect evening.

I can't say enough about our team - never in my professional experience have I had the pleasure to work with such a clever, creative, oddball, hilarious, fun-loving group of people, who, over the last two years, have become some of my closest friends. Going to work every day is a treasure, and we push each other to achieve goals that nobody would have expected or thought possible. I realize that this is rare, and I am incredibly lucky to be part of it. Having a manager that is dedicated to your success and growth is a gift that you can't put a price tag on.

I could go on, but I really should finish packing!

This post is dedicated to my best friend Ryan, as he is always telling me that I haven't updated my blog. And he's usually right.

See you in Barcelona!