Having been inspired by Brad's encouragement, I will make my first post.

Hopefully it will comfort all who read to know, following my first orientation I am overcome with resolve, determination, and pure excitement for my next adventure. I'm curious to know if it is just the D.C. atmosphere which convinces me I can accomplish anything, but I'm sure I will realize in the next couple of days the reality of my situation.

As for tonight, I will sleep somewhat peacefully (having spent the last couple hours up with Daniel discussing politics and drinking coffee I will have to wait and see exactly how peacefull it really is) knowing that there are 50 other people from around the country who know as little as I do regarding our current situation, but for some reason have agreed to participate. I room full of crazies if you ask me, but at least crazy in willing to take on the world kind of way, and I like that kind of crazy.

The more I hear about what I am starting in on, the more assured I am that this is exactly where I should be. Again, easy to say while sleeping in the Crown Plaza in D.C., but all of the sudden two years doesn't seem like a life time, an eternity, or a death sentence but rather a promise for mild achievement, and a vast well needed change in my life.

Knowing the hard stuff is yet to come, I will end this on a cautiously positive note. It is hard to leave, hard to say good-bye, and hard thinking of all the things I feel I hadn't gotten a chance to finish, but there is no perfect time to make a change, it just has to be done when the opportunity arrives. My life will never be completely put together where I feel comfortable leaving, but I hope that I will be able to pick it up where I am leaving it.

And that is it for day one. Brad, how did I do?
xo