Old Man

He's mad at me in this picture! Hehe!

I am VERY sorry that I haven't been in blog touch lately. I have been a bit busy with residential schools (they really SUCK, btw) and I just haven't felt like blogging lately. I know I'll kick myself for not blogging the past month as I am less than a month from leaving, but, I often kick myself for less.

For those of you who were unaware, my Casey, my old man and very best friend, died in late June. I got the call from Mom on a Saturday night here while I was in Sydney. It's been a rough few weeks for me, and it will be even rougher when I get home and realize that my bestest bud isn't there to greet me. My house and room and bed and sweater drawer will have an strange emptiness to them, I know it all ready. I'm sure he's happier, he's in better place where he can be young and vibrant, and it's assured that I wont dress him in my doll clothes, put him in my baby buggy, and wheel him up to grandmas. I can't believe he'll never look up at me again or rub his cold wet nose on my hand in search of a pet. I feel monsterously guilty for not being there with him, especially considering that he was there for me every time I cried for, oh, about 17 years, and I went off, knowing damn well that he'd need me in his darkest hour while I was away. I can't believe I wasn't there for him. Good thing Mom was. I hope he knew that I still loved him.

Other than that, life as been moving on at a pretty average pace. I had an outstanding birthday, made that way by a few people that I didn't know really cared! I really couldn't have asked for more, especially considering that I was expecting to spend the day alone.

Other than that, I've been doing res schools. The first was 6 days of straight tasting. Which sounds glamourous, but it's actually not as glam as you would think. This may sound completely ridiculous, but it reasonably difficult to taste that much wine in a day. Your senses just tire, and you get sick of it. I know I know, my life is clearly hard. I got to taste wine for 8 hrs a day for 6 days straight. Now, the fates are repaying me, and I'm doing 8 hr blocks of biochemistry labs. You cannot deny that THAT doesn't sound fun.

But, I return to the states in just over 2 weeks. I am having incredibly mixed emotions about it. I am excited to see the people that I miss and love, but I feel like I'm leaving something incredible behind. Didn't I just feel like this?!

Well, Alison, there you have it. I hope I have entertained you for a few moments. :-)

Cheers
Catrina

Casey

(case helping me with my crappy 460)

Things are getting close to go-time. Since I last wrote, I've resigned from my job at Ferro. Things went well, I think. It's nice to finally be able to share what makes me most joyful with all of those people. People are eager to talk about wine anyway, and they're even more eager if they know you know about wine. It's kind of a cool thing about wine...it makes people talk. Love or hate, you talk.

My boss knew what I was doing the instant I walked into his office. I was a wreck and I didn't even have to say anything to him. He made things a lot easier for me. He said: "You have an envelope. Oh. Give it to me...I wanna see where your going!" He read where I was off to and seemed as excited as I am! I then told some of my favorite R&D scientists, and was greeted with ecstatic screams. Everyone is super pumped for me, I think, which makes it more difficult to leave them all. I will miss them all, and I don't like the idea that I may never see them again. I don't like that idea at all.

The going away party is apparently in the works at Fox Run, Feb 2 at the Wagner. If you read this, don't believe Mary, you REALLY do not have to bring a gift. I am all good. You guys, honestly, are all gifts in yourselves. This is cliche, but true, I am lucky to have all of you and you bring me gifts everyday. Very true.

I am also feeling very anxious. For example, I am extremely worried that the number one man in my life, my cat Casey (17 yrs), will die while I am gone. And I am terribly afraid that he will die alone. I help him as a kitten, I feel like I should be there with him during his senescence. I worry about my favorite man :-( My poor kitty, I am sorry that I am going to leave you. Huh, I am such a worrier.

Anyway, I am tired!

Best,
Catrina