The "Pause" Button

Well, tomorrow is the day that I ... truly depart for the unknown.  I head west, first for a potential career-opportunity interview in the US, and then ... to China, for my first time to Asia.  I've been writing about the upcoming China trip since the beginning of starting this blog, and this tour has been in the works literally since August, 2011.  And by Saturday, I will be on a plane!

Of the many things that can plague anyone about to travel for weeks-on-end, one of them is the idea of hitting "pause" on anything that doesn't go with you.  There will be the academic work that goes with me (Eastman is *not* on any huge break while I'm gone, so I will return at the tail-end of the semester with some work to do ...).  My 4-month-old kitten will be minded by my lovely neighbor.  Arrangements have been made for my opera duties at school, my church job, my mail, and my car.

(We will not discuss the obvious challenges of packing and practicing here.  The practicing has been happening for months, and packing can happen in short amount of time.).

Of the many things I wish I could "pause," autumn is one of them.  This tree will be probably barren and likely snow-covered upon my return in December.  Like all of us, Mother Nature makes a trade here too ...   I'm trading being "home" for an incredibly exciting journey ... and I feel very honored and lucky to be embarking on this, beginning tomorrow.