T minus 7 days
(Dana)
How are you feeling?
Most swimmers at some point climb the 10M diving platform standing next to the pool where they spend countless hours. I did. Once, that I recall. It’s far up there. I remember getting to the top, gingerly walking to the edge, and nervously peering over. I knew that I wanted to jump. I knew that I’d be really happy to have done it… once I was safely in the water below. All I had to do is jump.
On our honeymoon, Greg and I went bungy jumping in Skippers Canyon outside of Queenstown New Zealand. I’m not even sure they jump from that bridge anymore because the drive in was so harrowing. Greg said that if he took the proverbial leap to get married, I had to take the actual leap. So, there we were, 300+ feet above the Shotover River, waiting to have a thick rubber band attached to our ankles and swan dive out into air. Again, I knew I would be SO happy once I was done. But it was hard not to be nervous.
That is how I am feeling T-10 days until the start of the Oyster World Rally. Nervous. Excited. Certain that I am going to love the experience, but apprehensive.
What am I apprehensive about?
Being that far away from our four wonderful children. Yes, they are all successfully adulting, but it is comforting to know that we could get anywhere within hours if we were ever needed. Now we will have zoom.
Missing out on shared experiences with dear friends. We already know we are missing five weddings, including two where our kids are in the wedding party. We’ll have to rely on photos.
Not having walks through Dover with my people… both therapeutic and good exercise.
Not teaching live at MIT Sloan next Fall 2026. Thankfully, they found a job for me advising the student-led international study tours. Definitely something I know something about. But I will miss the rush of interacting and leading 150 talented MBAs.
15 months in close quarters with 4 of us – Greg, me, Alex (captain), Ellie (first mate and all-around star)
Very few boat-related concerns. Not worried about running out of oat milk… or starving. Not worried about having enough to read. Mostly worried around getting injured by doing something stupid. Going to try to avoid that. And I’m working hard on staying calm when things go wrong, which of course they will do on a boat.
So right now, I feel disconnected from home, but not yet connected completely to Latitude. Unplugged from what I know but not yet plugged into Rally Life.
This is getting real!