One week from today.....

...I'll be heading out west to begin my 16 day adventure as an Olympic Volunteer.
I'm both nervous and excited, with a tinge of sadness mixed in.

So first, the positive. I'll be working as an Event Services Host at Cypress Mountain. Say what you will about the lack of snow there, but from what I've gathered, the CYP crew have been working around the clock to get the facilities up to spec. In the end, I'm confident it will be great for the atheletes and it will look good on television.

Staying in the Dunbar area of Vancouver, a fellow employee has kindly offered accommodation, which I am very thankful for. My nervousness stems from only been to VanCity three times, not once taking any public transit. Also of note is the fact that I'm looking at potentially a 2-hour (each way) commute. Stay tuned!

On the downside, I'm leaving behind my wife and two kids. I can't put into words how much I'll particularly miss getting Aiden and Marissa ready for school in the mornings, no matter the stress and races against the clock we endure. In the end, it's the sleepy smiles, hugs, kisses, dancing, laughter, screaming, spilling, bribing, and negotiating that will be gone from my daily routine, and that, my friends, sucks.

I know, I know. It's my fault, my decision for leaving. Absence makes the heart...

So, I'm hoping to be able to blog daily from Vancouver, to talk about my Olympic experience, share with you the stories, sights and sounds of the Games, perhaps introduce you to some new friends, and ultimately have you live vicariously through me as Canada welcomes the world! It's going to be an experience of a lifetime, and I'm proud to be a part of it.