My Surreal Period

     So - three more days to go at KC - how crazy is that?  I don't know what I thought I would feel - all I can say is that this is just bizarre.  It is exciting, liberating and terrifying - all at the same time. 
  I spent most of Friday and today cleaning out my office - WOW - it's amazing how much stuff a girl can accumulate in 18 years.  As I sorted through books, files, papers, and pictures, I tried not to get too caught up in a trip down memory lane - but, to no avail.  It's impossible to be surrounded by packing boxes without pausing to reflect on the things that get saved - and those that get thrown away.  I've had the opportunity to do lots of fun things and meet lots of great people during my time at KC and I am truly thankful for that.  While there have certainly been many things that have frustrated and challenged me during my years in corporate life,  I must admit I am better for the journey. 
     Right now I am taking it day-by-day - trying to take a breath, enjoy things, say goodbye to the folks I care about and not be overwhelmed by how little I really know about the road ahead.  I must admit, I was close to losing it this weekend - I was suddenly overcome by all the decisions that still need to be made, all the changes that are going on in our lives and all of the things that have to happen in the next 30 days.  Even though I had been planning on this change for some time and actually counting down the years/months/days - it seems to be so unsettling now that the time is actually here.  As usual, my husband can be counted on to ground me and support me when I am "on the verge" - pulling me back from the meltdown with calm reassurances and helping me regain my perspective and recover my excitement.  After all - this was my idea - scratch that - my dream!  (Jennifer - THIS IS DINNER).

Packing my office

18 years of stuff - YIKES

Trading in my safety shoes for chef clogs!

Flowers from G help me make it through my last week at KC

     Many people have asked me "how does it feel to be leaving/changing/starting a new chapter in your life" and the one word that keeps coming to my mind is "surreal", which is defined as - having the disorienting, hallucinatory quality of a dream; unreal; fantastic.  That sounds about right!