I'm terribly teary all of a sudden. I leave on Wednesday and will be gone for more than a month. That's a long time.

I've been on a ridiculous roller coaster for days. I'm either brushing the sky or nose-first to the floor. I understand what's going on, but sometimes that doesn't make it any easier.

This is a huge thing for me. Huge. Getting into MacDowell is a dream become reality, and it is almost here. I'll be gone for a month. I keep saying that. A month. Not a long time in normal life terms, but a long time when it comes to the rich time at a residency.

I'm overcome by emotion. I accept it.