Wow.  October seems like yesterday.  And already we are one week from June!  If I didn't have pictures, I don't think I'd be able to remember the events of the last 9 months.  When I met Casey, I never imagined I'd be looking at the person who could look inside me and find more than what I've always been.  But, she is that magnificent woman!  I guess when I met her, my only choices were to back off from the cliff, or jump and hope.  Best decision I've made in my life!

So, in preparing for this trip, I knew that everything about it would be a test against my being; physically, mentally, educationally, and every other way it can be described.  I've always been the person who will prepare wherever I can.  I don't like when there's things that hold in my way.  In the last 3 or so years, most people would know that I've gotten much more physically in shape, but in doing so, I put my body through the ringer.  Therefore, here goes nothing: hip surgery!  I go this Thursday for minor arthroscopic hip surgery.  It's going to be the first real surgery that I go through, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous.   Recovery is 4-6 weeks, so I hope to be back up and walking after 2 weeks, and back to jogging after 4.  I emphasize the minor because I will fully recover, and be better than ever, and don't need those around me freaking out!

Another thing that I have been carefully preparing for is realizing that for the real first time in my life, I am going to be responsible for each and every thing that I do for a year, and will have no clue what the next day will bring.  To be honest, it sounds amazing, invigorating, and less stressful than the usual work life.  We've decided on volunteering as much as possible, between farm stays, teaching english, and any other way that comes our way.

Just as important, and what seems to be more difficult than anything, has been slowly sharing my plans with the people around me.  Unlike Casey, I've forever been the home-body.  The furthest I've traveled has been Arizona, and the only country other than the US that I've been is Canada.  Could you imagine the reaction that I expected from people when I told them I was dropping everything in my life for a year to expand my horizons?  The biggest hump by far would be my parents, but they have definitely adapted to my changing personality, and are in my corner!

So, that's me.  It seems like since Casey and I have gotten together, everything has been changing.  Between work, family, us, and everything in between, it has been extremely difficult to get to know who we are individually and together.  This trip will be everything we need and want to make our standing ground as solid as it can be before everything else in our lives comes about!

July 31 - Goodbye Brandon,FL
September 1 - Goodbye Tampa,FL
October 9 - Kenny and Kirsten's Blue Grass Wedding in NY!
October 25 - Vegas!
November 1 - It begins!