Hello New Year, Goodbye USA

In the spirit of Great Britain (well, I'll be in England, not Scotland, but close enough)...

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne?
For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne,

We'll tak a cup of kindness yet, For auld lang syne!

Well, it's the night before I leave...it's come sooner than I expected. The nervous energy has really started to get to me now, and I'm sitting here thinking, What did I get myself into?!? By this time tomorrow night, I'll be on my way to England!

I'm really going to miss all my family and friends. And I think I'll miss my country, too. I'm pretty patriotic (hey, I watch 1776 every 4th of July!) but maybe going away will offer me both a more realistic and more appreciative point of view. It will be my first trip outside the US (going abroad at age two doesn't count, ha ha) and the longest I've ever been away from home. But I'm hoping that it will be worth it; I think it will.

From one of my favorite songs, from way back in high school (an Irish blessing):

May the road rise up to meet you,

May the wind always be at your back,

May the sun shine warm upon your face,

And rains fall soft upon your fields.

And until we meet again,

May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Happy New Years to all! I'll miss you so much!

See you on the other side of the pond!