Leaving something you love

Today I had my first real taste of having to leave something I love because of Micronesia.

Tonight was my last Thursday night modern class; I class I've faithfully taken nearly every Thursday since last August. Over the course of the last 10 months I've gotten to know and dance with some of the most amazingly wonderful people. People who are infinitely encouraging, joyful, hilarious and supportive beyond measure. With the help of their awesome energy and an incredible teacher, I have grown as a dancer in ways I couldn't have imagined. As someone who's always loved dance, but didn't dive into it until late in life, it has been amazing to find a studio, a class and a teacher that together created the kind of environment in which I wanted to come back week after week to grow and learn and move - without ever feeling judged or inadequate. Thursdays have been the highlight of my week for most of the past year. I'm going to miss this incredible group of people terribly!

Despite the sadness of leaving my dance family, I still feel so good about Micronesia. It's that feeling in the face of tough things like leaving something I love that lets me know I'm making the right choice in embarking on this journey.

I'm a free woman!

I am officially unemployed. Today was my last day of work at the organization where I have spent the last nearly 16 months of my 9-5, Mon-Fri life. Which, by the way, is the longest I've been employed anywhere. So, it felt rather odd to suddenly wrap up 16 months of work and relationships and say goodbye to the people I've shared that with, most of who I may very well never see again.

Man, oh man - at the same time, it's starting to feel good. I can feel the juices flowing again - I'm blogging already (which you all know well is rare), I'm free to accomplish the things that I need to accomplish, I can walk the lake when I want. It's going to be glorious for the three weeks that I have to savor it.

But who am I kidding, really? After three weeks I head the NYC to visit friends and then Boston for two weeks of JVC training, and then finally Micronesia on August 1st. I may only have three weeks of "days off", but I've got two years full of untold adventure and new experience waiting for me. Not bad, right?

I'm off to enjoy my first evening of unemployment - a glass of white wine and So You Think You Can Dance with my roomie.