Nervous?

I routinely get asked if I'm nervous and/or excited.

Excited - more and more every day, and while some days, it's only a fraction of a percent more excited than the previous day, today is the first day in a long time that my excitement level has jumped significantly.  Nervous - not really. 

I'm still generally frustrated at the whole process and anxious about my new job.  Fortunately, I was able to vent to one of the powers-that-be about my frustration.  And while he couldn't really do anything other than listen, I'm glad I was able to tell someone to whom I have to report during the next year what was on my mind.  To that end, actually, my goal is to prepare a binder of helpful suggestions and lessons learned based off my binder of paperwork that I have and my experience of the whole thing.  My hope is that the next person who's stuc-- I mean honoured with this position won't have to fight the process nearly as much as me.  And the one question that still remains in my mind - if I feel like I'm having so much trouble getting out the door, what about the other seven people who were selected in my group? 

Anyways, the nerves are fine.  All in all, the move will be just fine.  Even if it takes until October to get our stuff for some reason, "it will be a lesson in minimalism", as Ruthie put it the other night.  We'll find a place, we'll find a car, I'll have a job, and best of all it will all be in some place new.  But I was asked recently the very serious question of "What's your biggest fear about this opportunity?"  My response: That I will hate my new job so much it will ruin this experience for me.  True, it's only a year, so if I am suffering, it will only be for just one year.  However, I know what I am like when I detest my job.  So, fingers crossed, it's not going to be that bad.  I kinda sorta know what I'm going to be doing, but no where near enough to anticipate what I will actually be doing.  Sure, I like the challenge of a new task - but I think I fear most the expectations that I might be walking into, and not being able to meet them. 

And while I might mock it at times, I am "representing the United States", so that's kinda like a big "don't screw up, buddy".  Especially if I want this assignment to open doors for me.

Countdowns:
Eight actual days of work [including today].
Eleven days until the movers arrive.
Two weeks from today is my official last day of work at this desk/office.
T-16 days until liftoff.

-EP