Dear Thor,

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

I got up this morning to get the newspaper, and instead of the usual fallen leaves below my feet, there was snow. The first snow of the year.

Change is definitely in the air. I can feel it. And it's not just the weather or all the tense world affairs. It's me. I feel different inside. I've been waiting for this moment for nearly 16 months, and it's just about here. Can you feel it?

I feel like an athlete who's been preparing for this huge race. I've trained and prepared and trained some more. And I've watched patiently as time has passed. 16 months. 480 days. 11,520 hours. 691,200 minutes. Each tick of the clock gets me closer to my starting point, and I can feel this energy growing inside of me. It's churning…sometimes keeping me up at night. This passion. This drive. This intense focus. Slowly growing inside me. Slowly biding it's time.

And now it's almost here.

My friends and family have asked me how I'm feeling. And I really don't know how to answer.

Naturally I'm excited, nervous, scared, exhilarated. But I'm also feeling a little sad. You know how it is. I'm excited to go, but sad to leave. I've been on a "farewell tour" for about two and a half weeks now, and I've seen so many friends - some of whom I haven't seen for a while. But lately, I've been feeling the goodbyes a little more. It's probably because I'm starting to say goodbye to family now. Somehow, it's just tougher to say goodbye to people who remember me when I was in diapers. But then I remind myself that I'm not really saying "good-bye." I'm just saying "until next time."

Anyway, I'm gonna keep this letter short. I still have a laundry-list of things to get done, and a ticking clock keeping track. The next time I write you, I will be in Japan. I'm really looking forward to seeing my heritage for the first time. I'll be traveling with Mom and some uncles and aunts. All of us were born in Colorado, so it will be an eye opening experience visting a foreign country without looking like a foreigner.

Until next time,
Scotty

P.S. You're probably wondering about the hair. I had a lot more hair when we met. I shaved it a few weeks ago because I booked a role in a TV commercial, and the character I played needed to be bald. I actually think it looks nice, so I may keep it for the trip. Like I said…change is definitely in the air.