you can't spell Camden without end...or dance

today is my last day of work. it has been a good year and in spite of the challenges, it has been a good placement. the relationships i formed with the residents here have been the best part. from the sweet ones to the cranky ones, they have made this job what it was.

the past few weeks have been a flurry of activity; i have been about as stressed as i ever get. i'm not really nervous, but more preoccupied with all the loose ends to tie before i leave, and there are many. i have a list that i've been slowly making my way through...two lists actually: one, things to do; one, people to talk to. i'm afraid the more important list, composed of human relationships, is the more time consuming by far.

although it is hard to leave camden and my community here, there is a great feeling building as well; a feeling of kindred spirits spread out across the globe. it is comforting, easy, and a great thing indeed to be surrounded by those you love. however, it is also good to feel a part of a great network, knowing that you have friends all over and that when you are lucky enough to share time, a meal, a cup of coffee with them you can reconnect with what brought you together in the first place.

people ask how i'm feeling about all this. i feel alot of things. i feel sad to leave camden and my community. i feel excited to start something new. i feel a little nervous because i have no idea what to expect besides shapeless challenges. i feel at peace with not having a clue what to expect. i feel lucky to have the support of so many loving friends and family. i feel humbled by the same. i feel torn between the great needs that exist right here in camden and the call i feel to serve in another culture. i could go on...

tomorrow we are hosting a bbq and party at the house as a last hurrah of sorts. sunday is my birthday. monday i have the whole day to do some last minute preparations. tuesday a new chapter begins.

my tooth fell out while i was eating a panini yesterday. don't worry, i put it back. the tooth. not the panini.

how to feed the fish

i set this up today. it is a big responsibility...like a goldfish. the more you feed it, the bigger it gets and the more food it wants. if you don't feed it, it dies. if you feed it the right amount, it neither dies nor demands too much from you.

this blog is a goldfish.