My final entry... A bit delinquent, but needed to close it appropriately.

Obviously, since I have been home now for two months - this is my final entry to this Blog... However, I feel like it needed some closure - so wanted to say a few words.

I had an amazing journey and am very grateful for the opportunity I had for this assignment. Like others, e.g. the Sydney Olympics, these opportunities are just too great to pass up when offered. They are once in a lifetime and can be life altering, as most certainly is the case with this assignment.

I had the honor of meeting several wonderful IBMers who made me feel like family. To you all, thank you for your graciousness and hospitality. Thank you also for reminding me why I love this company so much. We are a global family, for sure. If you haven't seen it, here is the picture Emerson drew for me to represent the countries I visited:


Thank you to everyone who supported me at home while I was abroad. Your love, support, and friendship mean everything. Having the technology to stay in touch with you was critical to maintaining any sanity I may have had left (so, thanks to Skype, Facebook, my cameras, and of course Blogger).

To my husband who handled the last month of school before break and shuffling kids to baseball, softball, piano, and gymnastics (to name a few).... Thank you, thank you, thank you and ILY. Thanks mom and dad for support and hosting my family for a week in July... they had a blast and I missed being there despirately. Jim and Loye, your support was endless. You lifted me up with words of encouragement several times. Thanks for watching the kiddos so Chris could come and experience (albeit for a short time) the culture with me... plus - that weekend of R&R was so needed for both of us.

Ok - the picture at the top of this post says it all. Emerson and Connor - thank you for allowing mommy to go away for such a long time. I missed you more than you could possibly imagine. I love you with all my heart, and am happy to be home with you now.

Here is an album with most of my favorite photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=92804&id=532701508&l=4b1b848662

Anyway, bye for now... and thanks for following.

Nicki