I hope I remembered everything...

I am officially on my way.  Yesterday was the last day of school for students.  All the students got to say goodbye to their teachers and friends for the summer.  We have a send off for students in 8th grade because they won't be returning.  So, the send off consists of us clapping and cheering them out of the building and shooing them onto the buses.  It is a great feeling that we don't have to see or teach any students for the summer because honestly, teachers need a break!  Anyways, as the busses pull away and honk their horns, you see teachers waving to the students, and you see the students waving and sometimes if you look very closely you will see the middle finger sticking out the window your way.  After the kids left, I didn't stick around long.  I booked it out of the building, so I could do some final packing.

My brother Charlie drove me to the train station after a few quick stops to get last minute necessities.  I am really crazy about this last minute stuff... I really was pushing it just a little.  After our little stops he dropped me off at the train station at BWI Thurgood Marshall Amtrak.  I got there the alotted 30 minutes before to find out that my train was running 20 minutes late.  I had great entertainment in the sitting area though.  People were working, the custodians kept yelling at every person who walked in the door because they had just mopped the floors, and one particular lady liked to belt out song lyrics randomly (which definitely made me chuckle).

The train finally came, and I was able to get a seat all to myself for the entire ride!  There wasn't much entertainment onboard, so I took a little snooze and watched out the window.  When I arrived in New York City, I caught a cab and went to a United Against Lung Cancer fundraiser at a Tory Burch store in the Meatpacking District.  I met my friend Sarah there when she got off of work.  The reason for attending this fundraiser was Sarah's friend Frannie had organized the fundraiser in honor of her late stepmother.  Frannie's stepmother, who never smoked a cigarette, lost her battle against lung cancer.  I did do some purchasing at the Tory Burch store, so the proceeds could go to the organization.  After a few hours of browsing and purchasing, Sarah and I headed out to her volleyball game at the pier.  I am going to say right now that I did not bring my camera, and I cannot believe I didn't!  Her volleyball game was at 9:30 at night, right on the water with the New York skyline in the back.  It was a lot of fun to watch, and I applauded there 2 game win.

After a good night's sleep, I am ready for the main departure!  I am headed to Dublin today and will be there bright and early Friday morning.  The only thing that is going on in my head is the question, "Did I remember everything?"  I kind of feel like the mom in Home Alone when she is on the plane talking to people saying I feel like we forgot something, and then realizing it was "KEVIN!!"  At least I am definitely not forgetting a person, but still I feel like I might be forgetting something.  Oh well, I will deal with it as it comes.