Well, I'm so tired right now that I doubt I'm leaving this morning as planned. However this means that I will be leaving September 02 in the early A.M.

Its a little bit of me dragging my feet and a little of me just wanting to soak up the ambience for 1 more minute after minute before I go. I know that on arrival, I'll have plenty to keep me occupied, but the last several days have been very very special for me. Thanks, in no small part, to the warm send-off everyone has been showering me with.

To be honest, the outpouring of warm hugs, trips and hanging with you, my family, has left me a bit overwhelmed with da love. I'm not complaining though, at all. I'm used to leaving in the dead of night with nary a word, so the past three days, being antithetical to that, has me really topsy turvy. I'm still kind of defocused from the task at hand but I'm getting my head straight ever so slowly.

Which is why I'm taking time out to write y'all now I s'pose.

I had a whole speech put together for the send off email, but its slipped my mind at the moment, so I'm going to have to wing it.

To Kat, Steve, Alex, Mike and Carlos: What can I say. I love you all. I'm reminded of a line from Dragonlance here. "Tell Laurana.... No... Nevermind. She will know what is in my heart." And that's what I wish to say to you all. You know what is in my heart. And I'm gonna miss you all ;)

To Tony, Todd, Mike B., A.M. and Liz: Y'all have helped me through some trying times. It is not and will never be forgotten. Help each other through the times ahead, and should you need, you know how to reach me. You will be in my thoughts.

To the Avenger Crew, old and new: Never forget that this ship is a family. In the highest of highs, and lowest of lows, through good times and trying times, stick by each other and you'll always have a friend, a sympathetic ear, a shoulder to cry on, and someone to raise a glass with. Look around at each other at the next meeting and remember that you are a part of something at once special and magical. Never let it go.

And I think that's going to be it from for now. Time to get on with the hard process of packing up the memories. And don't worry, You'll be hearing from me soon enough. Well, the Hathor awaits, see you all next from Region 1 (unless I hit you up one more time before departure. Stay tuned ;) ).

(c 2003, Lourdes C., Recreation Dept., Medical Division, USS Avenger NCC-1860)

Addendum: You can go to http://www.cafepress.com/lesravienne and help me out a little bit and get some darn funny swag. Make sure to share the link with your friends ;) This works better in mass ;)