Ready for Takeoff

Although there are only fourteen more hours before my plane takes off for Charlotte (and then Germany), it surprisingly hasn't quite hit me yet, that I'm going to Germany, that I'm studying abroad, that I'm not going to be back for four months. My bags are packed, my room is the cleanest and most organized it's been in a good three months, if not longer. Even my car is cleaned out! And yet the whole idea of me leaving for such a long period of time or the fact that I'm going to be living in Germany - just haven't quite wrapped my head around it.

Perhaps that's best? It's been a whirlwind of a week. Found out on Monday that Ethan (Sperry), director for the Miami Men's Glee Club, is leaving at the end of this year for Portland. I'll miss singing in the last concert with him and when I return he won't be there, which is a very strange and sad notion to try to take in. Just makes me even more glad I was able to sing this past weekend at the Intercollegiate Male Choruses' National Seminar under his direction in the performance of a lifetime. Tuesday was my last day for subbing, where I taught students about polar and nonpolar covalent bonds. It was one of those teaching/flying by the seat of your pants type of days. The plans were a bit vague and bland (which can be understandable when a teacher becomes suddenly sick), so I had some fun scrambling and improvising. It all turned out well thankfully. Then on Wednesday my grandpa passed away peacefully. But the good news is, as difficult as it is for me and Mom, Dad, and Ethan and the rest of the family, he is now with God, which is a wonderful blessing. Knowing that I'll miss his funeral has left me feeling kind of torn for a lack of a better term at the moment, but as I've gone through and looked at pictures with him growing up, I know I've spent more than enough time with him and he knows that and I think would much prefer me to be out there seeing the world, meeting people, and enjoying life.

The bottom line is it's a very bizarre and bittersweet moment. Saying goodbye to friends and family, looking to embrace a whole new group, lifestyle, and country. It's so sad and yet so joyful at the same time. It's a little bit of everything. But I'm definitely excited.

I'll quit blathering now (I haven't even left yet!), and leave you with a link to a little playlist I put together. Just some stuff that kind of sums up many of the emotions from the week and the excitement for what's yet to be - some old stuff, some new stuff, but chances are I will likely be listening to the songs at some point on the plane. Enjoy!

http://8tracks.com/cdmathias/lh-429

Bis Später!

Grandpa and I playing checkers, while Daisy May (Indiana Princess), watches (or snoozes) along the sidelines. :)

I thought I'd also include this picture. It is of my grandpa and grandma (when they were very young obviously). They are on the Pacific coast somewhere, looking off into the distance. On the back of the photo, my grandpa simply wrote "Balboa and Wife"

I think it truly captures his spirit, his humor, and his love for grandma, others, and the world. I look forward to embarking on an adventure of my own.