As I scramble around my 1-bedroom apartment searching for all the items I've accumulated for my upcoming trip to India, double-checking all my travel documents and doing all the last-minute packing, hoping that I don't forget anything, I sat down to listen to my co-workers and friends podcast from the big UFAM rally. (217recovery.com) Although I am embarking on the biggest adventure in my life, I can't help but find myself wishing I was a part of the laughter and camaraderie. I am truly blessed to be part of such a wonderful organization and community. As I've discussed in my previous blogs, I've had a lot of things going on in my life lately, and without these people in my life today, I would be in shambles. Instead, today, I sit here feeling better than I have ever felt before, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Things are happening in my life today that I have given up on, lost hope for, and never dreamt of.

This blog has become the closest thing I have ever done to journaling in my life, and this is also the most public I have ever been with anything in my life, and I'm not going to lie it kind of feels good. I thought that I would hold back things, not be able to be authentic with topics, and constantly feel paranoid that people are secretly making fun of me, instead I have had very little response, but what I have had has been positive. This blog (if all things go well) will be the 1st part of a continuing series, following my adventure to the other side of the world. I want to wish my colleagues, friends, and family a wonderful couple of weeks while I am gone. I love you all and farewell from Traverse City. Next stop.....?