Leaving on a Jet Plane

So now, it's just about 13 hours until I depart. Exhilarating, terrifying, exciting and nerve wracking all in one. I'm am about to head off on the adventure of a lifetime. One year from now, who knows where I will be, who knows what I will have experienced or the kind of people I will have met. But that doesn't matter too much. As I leave, I have no expectations, other than to experience as much as possible. To work at an engineering company, to explore Europe and to not be afraid. So am I ready? Yes. I have myself and my passport. Anything else I may have forgotten will not prevent me from traveling and enjoying myself.

But what about these last two weeks in Calgary. They have been amazing and so much fun, and have reminded me of why I love life so much. The people here are amazing, and together we make such a wonderful and caring family.

Within the last two weeks I have hiked up mountains and seen the beautiful landscape from 2000 feet up; I have conquered my fear of heights while I climbed vertical rock faces; I have been dragged about half a kilometer down a flowing river by a canoe; I have learned about love, and the fact that it never has synchronous timing; I have cried out of happiness, out of sadness, out of guilt and due to a long awaited understanding. And all of this I have done with friends. Friends that I have known a mere 3 years, or less.

So it scares me to leave. With my dad in the military I have moved around countless times, always making new friends and adjusting to new environments. But never before have I felt as happy as I feel here. I am lucky to have gotten to know the people I have, that share the same love of the outdoors, that share the same general values and that appreciate my friendship as much as I appreciate theirs. I hope to meet just as amazing people in Europe.

So although it's scary to leave this place where I feel happy and comfortable, I know it will be awaiting my return. So farewell Calgary, and here I come Winterthur!!!