well .... here we go!

my last week of work is nearly finished. it's actually quite hard to believe. it's all starting to feel real now. the management 'handover' and training week went really well. they've got a great new team in place, a team with much more enthusiasm and energy than i've been able to give these last few months. so i'm really excited for the direction of the company, and oddly enough, excited to let go of it and pass the baton. i did have a sad moment last weekend when putting together a little slideshow i want to leave with them and writing my farewell email to my colleagues (not sent yet), reminding myself of all the fun i've had with them and what i've gained and how much responsibility i've been given over the years. it really is tremendous. and i really am truly grateful. tony is taking me to lunch on tuesday - anywhere i want in london - no restrictions he says, except availability.

and my african blog is now up and running! from here on out, i will most likely use that site only - at least until i return. i know it seems silly to start a second blog, but this crossingponds blog is not one that everyone has. and part of me wants to keep it that way. which is ridiculous seeing that anyone can stumble upon a blog, or link to it, or share it - it's not REALLY that private, but somehow, this one feels that way, so it allows me a little more freedom in my writing.

not that i won't be free in my next blog - but that is going to be more purely about the experience itself, what i'm doing, how i'm feeling about it. and less about life in general (like, oh, say, the condo we just put an offer on in milwaukee!)

eventually, i'd imagine i'd switch back to this blog - but there are a few more people i'd like to share my gambia experience with. so ... here goes! from here on out, you can find me at continentalcrossings for my ramblings from the gambia! enjoy!