I was interviewed: Click here!
I arrived in Vienna just over an hour ago, & my flash report is: I LOVE THIS CITY! The vibe and energy are way more me than Prague was. Prague was charming and cute, Vienna is an edgier city, which I always prefer. Please know these are only my opinions, I respect yours as well.
It’s been 7 days since I’ve been able to talk to anyone. I’ve said maybe a total of 35-50 words to anyone. The times I have spoken it was just a “Dekuji”, (thank you) for whatever I was paying for. That’s IT. I’ve done some really cool things, been to some exceptional places, and without anyone to share the experience with or joke around with it’s a pretty empty feeling.
I’ve been on day trips for the last 2 days and both places attract tourists, but they weren’t overrun with people since it’s not really the “in season” yet. Nobody is traveling alone. Everyone is talking to someone about what they are seeing, what their opinions are and taking each others’ photos. Duh… that’s what people do on their vacations- or when they visit cool places. I guess I didn’t think I’d feel lonely. I have never minded being alone, and in many cases it’s my preference.. but I’ve felt pretty lonely for the last week.
I know falling in love right before I left didn’t help matters much…
I’ve also realized booking a few apartments to have all to myself in the next few weeks isn’t going to help me feel less isolated. When I booked them, I did so knowing I prefer to be alone… but I didn’t take into account that I like to be alone in familiar places, not so much in foreign places where I don’t share a common language. Good enough– big lesson learned. The bright spot in the near future is knowing I will be staying at a hostel in Vienna starting this Friday, AND I get to meet a fellow iPhoneographer that I’ve made friends with on Facebook! That poor girl is going to have to meet me when I am absolutely starving for communication and connection!
I know I have very little right to complain considering this is what I wanted to do, this is what I saved for, and I am living so many peoples’ lifelong dream. It’s my dream too, and it’s OK if I have some rough times, I just don’t want to keep feeling like this… It’s only 2 weeks into my year, so I can’t give up yet! Here is to hoping hostel living brings more connection!
P.S.
I’m not looking for sympathy or “You can do it!” cheers, I simply wanted to write the truth of how it’s going so far 
Note: I wrote this very quickly, and didn’t take the time to check for grammar, and now I’m posting it as-is, because if I don’t, I’ll never get it up- very limited time on wifi most of the time!
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Arrival in Prague was absolutely seamless. The flight to London was great, and even the food served on board was (by my standards) superb! Being a vegetarian has its perks, and I’ve probably seen the last of them for the duration of this trip– I was served FIRST! Special meal alert! Freak on board! I was finished before the guy next to me was even given his food. My meal was meatless lasagna, a great mixed leaf salad, dinner roll, and a marble cheesecake slice. Also, liquor is still free on international flights, but I’m a freak in that department too- I don’t drink.
When I arrived in Prague, my luggage was there intact and I met the taxi driver holding a sign with my name on it. I took a picture, but because I was holding too many things, it was blurry and completely unreadable. The driver spoke ZERO English, (and why would he? It’s not the language of the Czech Republic), but I needed to use his phone to call Vit, (the guy I rented a room from for the night), so through sign language and and a few grunts, he gave me his phone. I got to Vit’s place completely wiped out and was happy to hear him say he was leaving for the night and wouldn’t be back until I was gone. I just wanted to sleep and not talk much. We had some small talk about photography and he was fascinated by the concept of iphoneography, so of course I had to explain it… which isn’t a quick conversation- ever- especially with someone super interested.
Have I mentioned I was STARVING at this point? No? Well, it had been almost 20 hours since I had eaten and I asked him if there were any grocery stores around, and he said I was pretty much screwed until the morning when the breakfast place nearby opened. It was also raining and cold, so I didn’t try to venture out to find anything. Morning came and it’s 25 degrees out and I’m a big WUSS when it comes to being cold. I crumble! Around noon I thought I was going to kill over so I headed out. Lo and behold there was a small Vietnamese store a block away and I got some stale bread, yogurt, cheese and water… I was beyond THRILLED and proud of myself! I got back to the apartment, popped the bread into the microwave and like magic, I had “freshly baked” AWESOMENESS! This combination of cheese, bread, yogurt and fruit will likely be the staples of my diet as I make my way around the world. And I’m totally fine with that.
At 3:00 the next day the taxi driver came back to get me and take me to what will be my own apartment for the next month. Not bad- exactly what I expected- small, but has everything I need except a coffee maker!
I ventured out again to get some groceries and various other things like a SIM card for my phone, toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags, etc. there is a giant shopping center within a couple of blocks where I figured I could get just about everything I could ever need. Before I went in, I observed nobody carrying shopping bags that weren’t their own. DUH! I turned around to go get the one I purchased. Back to the mega-mall! I got groceries, but no coffee because not one of those stores sold coffee makers! Not even the small espresso percolators like they have in Italy. Also, no SIM cards to be found! I looked everywhere. Maybe I missed it, but here’s another observance- phones are no big deal here!! What!?!? Yeah, I sat outside of a McDonald’s for half an hour stealing their wifi and watching people. It was extremely rare to see anyone on their phone, or holding one to text. Seriously, I saw SO many people, and *maybe* 4 were fiddling with their phone. So weird! In Italy you won’t see anyone without theirs. Even in groups of people- everyone is on the phone talking to someone else and ignoring their parties. Guess I will have to get advice on attaining a SIM card tomorrow at school.
Funny: while I was checking out in the grocery store the old woman cashier *asked me a question*!! (YIKES)– I smiled worriedly and said “I don’t speak Czech” and the look on her face was pure exasperation and in my mind she was thinking “holy fucking shit, I ain’t got time for this crap”, but I’m sure it wasn’t as curse word filled, but had the same sentiment. She proceeded to ask me again, but this time she just asked LOUDER so I just nodded and said “yes” and problem seemed solved.
I start school tomorrow (4/2) and right now I don’t feel anxious, but I’m sure that will change. I don’t have Internet at my apartment as I write this, (and publish later), but I’ll be renting a modem from the school and hope to hell it will work with my MacBook.
I just realized there’s no tv in my place either. Totally fine because I’m not a watcher, but it would be interesting to see what Czech tv is like and what shows they play.
That’s all for now!
I leave for Prague tomorrow night to begin my year-long around the world trip and all I want to do is call the whole thing off. I should be excited, right? Well, I’m not. I just want to go “home” and get my dog and have things go back to the way they were.
But wait…
I was relatively miserable in my professional life, and this is what I’ve always wanted to do, right? Yes, it is… So why the hell am I feeling so miserable?
It’s my last night in NYC with my boyfriend and I’m being a shitty little brat. We went to see the Broadway show “Once” and I was pissed because the lead actress was not the lead actress, but the understudy! Then I was starving so we went to a restaurant and because I’m the pickiest person in the world, all I could eat on the menu was a salad- which was a mountain of tomatoes, which I HATE, so I sat there just fuming and picking at my salad. When we got back to the apartment, (which is right now), I quickly began doing everything I could to ignore my awesome boyfriend. (And I’m still ignoring him as I type)… None of this is his fault, but he’s having to put up with me- and he *is*!! I’d have gotten the hell away from me if I were him.
I don’t know what’s wrong with me tonight… But that’s the report.
Hope it gets better…
My last day of work was yesterday. I chose Leap Day for its symbolic meaning considering what I’m getting ready to do… Take an entire year to do an around the world trip.
(Man this blog is neglected!)… I have so many places on the Internet to post things and I’m hoping to post here as often as I can. Not everyone I know has Facebook and will be keeping up with where I am and what I’m doing via this blog.
It’s hard to keep this shit up, but I will do my best!
I’ve got the whole world in my hands… and I’m quitting my job and leaving my current life to go see it.
On March 20, 2012 I plan to leave Austin, TX and make my way to JFK airport in New York where I will use my one way ticket to Prague, CZ to begin my journey wandering the globe.
I fly to Prague on the 30th of March, so this will give me 10 days to get there. I’m not sure which route I will take to get there, or what means of transportation I will use. At this point I don’t know what I will be doing with my car, so it’s all just a guess right now. Train? Ride share? Rental? Doesn’t really matter right this moment.
Prague is my first stop because I plan to be there for a month to take the CELTA certification course to become an English teacher. (This would make my mom super proud). I chose that particular course because it’s the most recognized and respected certification program offered anywhere. It’s also expensive. I was originally going to go to the one in Sofia, Bulgaria- but the one in Prague was only like $150 more and accommodations are included.
After I complete the course, I have no idea where I will go next. The map will be my menu. I will have saved enough money to not have to work for at least a year, but to have the ability to work as an English teacher is something I feel is a necessity. I will definitely want to work in some fashion or another. I’ve found some great resources online for plenty of opportunities. Examples are: farm work, sailing crews, art projects, recovery centers, yoga… you name it- it’s out there.
I’ve decided to make this journey all intuitive. Where I decide to go will be a completely organic unfolding. One thing is FOR SURE though… IF the Rolling Stones decide to have their 50th anniversary show in London, I WILL NOT MISS THAT!!! One of the things my mom and I loved to do together was going to see the Rolling Stones. Now that she’s gone, I feel like it’s a chance to feel her standing right next to me again- at that show. She wouldn’t miss it either- even though she’s dead now!
The biggest heartbreak I will face is leaving behind one of the loves of my life, Charlie Hodge:
I can’t even begin to describe how much it will hurt to leave him behind. He will be in GREAT care with a very close friend of mine, and if I come back, I get him back. He will be taken care of and loved as much as I love him myself. Here’s the thing: I have to do this journey. I’ve tried to talk myself out of it many many times, and I know deep in my soul, I must go. It’s now or never. I’ll be 41 when I set sail, so it’s not like I’m getting any younger.
Nobody at work knows about my plans, and it’s going to begin to weigh on me more and more as the time to go gets closer. I care deeply about my position and the people who depend on me. I love the school and the family that owns it. I will burn no bridges in hopes that one day if I want to return, they will welcome me back. I don’t plan on springing the news on them last minute. I’ll make sure I give enough notice that I will be able to train my replacement. There is already someone I have in mind to be promoted to my level, and they are very qualified. The school will be fine without me- especially if I’ve got someone ready to slide right in my place.
Am I excited? YES. Am I scared? Not yet. I know this is what life has had planned for me for a very long time. I’ve said for years that once my mom goes, I go.
So I’m going.
I had a phone interview with the Aveda Institute of Atlanta a couple of weeks ago, and by the end of the conversation, the man conducting the interview said, “Well as far as I’m concerned you can start tomorrow”! Great news- but I’m not planning on arriving in Atlanta until August 1st….
So I told him I’d fly down before then to have an in-person interview, and set the wheels in motion to make that happen. My luck has been so fantastic in regards to this whole move— I managed to score airfare for $350 when all surrounding fares were $700-$800.
July 1st was my date to meet everyone for the interview. Here’s how the day went:
Arrived at 7:30 to make the 7:45 scheduled meeting.
Met with the director, chatted a bit about the position, answered questions, asked questions- etc…
Attended staff meeting at 8:15 and met the whole staff. I introduced myself and spoke for about 10 minutes about me myself and I.
Did a haircut demonstration in front of the whole school at 9:15- I absolutely rocked that curly haircut if I don’t say so myself! The students loved it and had some great questions.
From 10:00- 5:00 I helped out on the cutting floor- consultations, grading, checking with students on what they were doing- basically acting like I already worked there. I stepped right up to bat and hit it out of the park!
The students as well as the staff all just loved me- and the feeling was mutual to be sure. This business can be quite catty and snotty and full of Giant egos– and I didn’t detect a shred of this at the school. What a relief!
At the end of the day, I met once again with the director for some final Q&A. We both agreed it’s a perfect fit on both sides. Then the money question came into play…
During my initial phone interview I was quoted a starting salary of a certain amount based on being a beginning educator. I was told that since I have some teaching experience, there was some wiggle room… Let’s just say the original quote was doable, but barely. At the end of the interview day, I was offered more than DOUBLE the original quote! Hell yes!!!
I have so much to offer those students, and the school. I’m so lucky to have been able to do what I love and make money doing it. I’m ready to give it back. It’s going to be a great new chapter in my life.
…and I’m worth every penny.
I’m moving 1000 miles away in a few weeks. Big Big decision… and it’s happening.
I knew this August was going to be a turning point- but I didn’t know which way the turn was going to go until about 6 weeks ago.
I’ve been all itchy and squirmy for about a year or so- I’ve needed something brand new. At first I thought it was college. I’m in love with holistic nutrition and wellness. I found a great program at Maharishi University that seemed to fit me exactly, AND it is only about 2 hours away from where I currently live. Lets see… 4 years of college- going into amazing amounts of debt with a degree that qualifies me to intern for free. At a gut level it wasn’t “just right“. But almost…
I’ve got a verrrryyyy long and beautiful story concerning the “how” I picked my current destination…but it’s novel length, and I’d love to share it sometime, but for now I’ll just reveal the destination: Atlanta, GA.
I had a specific list of “musts” for my next city:
(Not in any particular order)
No more winters
A state I’ve never lived in
A city with room for more yoga teachers
I must know at least ONE person
A city where I can continue my yoga education and study Thai Massage
Good farmers markets/ Whole Foods- Trader Joe’s
Good music/ Art scene
There are a few others, but Atlanta, GA absolutely hit the mark on every count.
I’ve been to ATL several times in the last few years, so I know my way around enough to feel pretty comfortable being there.
The dominoes have all fallen into place regarding my decision: got my downtown condo leased. The 6 month lease on my current apartment is up just in time to move into the sweet little cottage in Atlanta I fell in love with 3 years ago. It’s always timing, right?
I wanted to move to Atlanta 20 years ago because I was madly in love with a man that lived there- (he still does- and we are good friends). At the time I was 18 years old and such a punk kid with no idea what I was doing. (Love does that to a girl!)… Now I have my head on perfectly straight and I’m finally going to make it to Georgia.
I don’t have a job, but I have no doubt I’ll make that happen quickly… I did it in New York City, why not Atlanta? I plan to get a job teaching at the Aveda Institute and have a private practice for yoga students. (PERK: the cottage I’ll be living in was once used as a yoga studio– perfect!) I’ve got some big ideas for my future in Atlanta, but I’ll hold onto them and report back later on my progress…
August 1,2009 I will be living in Atlanta!
I’m incredibly excited/thrilled/scared/positive/confident/and sad all at the same time. I’m going to miss my mom so much. I’ve lived close to her for the last 6 years, and we’ve become even closer than ever. I just know it’s time for me to go…
I’ve known for quite awhile I have no intention to make Des Moines my long term home. Knowing that means I can’t “dig-in”- I avoid relationships & I put a cap on my business success… all because I’ve been living in a state of “waiting to leave”. I can’t live like that anymore. I need to be in a city where I plan to stick around long term- I’m ready to “dig in”. I will always want to travel and continue my gypsy ways, but I want a home base where I can build a successful business and form relationships….
Plus it has a sweet airport!
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night!
…and I’m doing great… day 6 on the Master Cleanse.
I have learned a lot while on this adventure— yes, adventure.
It’s a total commitment. The juice tastes suprizingly good. I cannot watch TV. I’ve had to learn on a deeper level the difference between body hunger and mind hunger. It’s almost always my mind.In all honesty, I haven’t been truly hungry even once. As soon as I feel a little hunger pang, I do as directed and have a glass of the lemonade. It totally wipes it out.
I feel cleaner, alert, light, and centered. I just can’t go to the gourmet grocery store again to get more maple syrup. That’s too much right now. I was there earlier, and there were free samples of everything everywhere. Had to get the syrup and run!
So, I have just 4 more days to go and I will have completed the minimum of 10 days for total cleanse benefits. I’ve threatened to carry it out longer— and I may… but right now I’m thinking I won’t. It takes 4 more days post-cleanse to get back on a full day of solid foods. The first day I’m off I get to eat navel oranges!!! Anyone that knows me knows this thrills me. I love them. I meditate as I slowly peel them and savor them slowly…. mmmmm…. just thinking of them…..
Anyway! I’m also headed to Atlanta in about 2 weeks- and there’s no way I’ll be skipping the lovely food possibilities while I’m there!
I’m shocked at my ability to do this at all. I don’t think it would have been possible had I not spent about 2 weeks mentally preparing myself.
And that’s all for now.
Time to reboot my system so to speak.
A couple of weeks ago, I was reading about someone doing a “Master Cleanse” and it intrigued me. I began to think about how it would feel to cleanse the inside of my anatomy. Sounded good to me, so I began to do some research on what it was all about.
Turns out, it just might be exactly what I need.
I’m very proud of the fact I have become a person that takes really good care of myself. I don’t smoke or drink alcohol. I eat a diet of almost (not quite all) non-processed foods. I am around 90% vegetarian (I eat fish and chicken on occasion). I don’t eat white sugar, ZERO high-fructose corn syrup- (oh dear god don’t get me started on that!)… I am big on the superfoods (goji, blueberries, walnuts, raw chocolate, etc…), whole wheat and grains… lot’s of fruit… a fistful of vitamins… yadda yadda yadda…. You get the point…. which is, I spend a ton of dough on groceries.
OK, that’s not the point. The point is—I have a nutritious way of eating 98% of the time. (I splurge on occasion- I AM human and I love pizza and cupcakes!)….
But this lifestyle has evolved only over the last 3 years.
Before that- I lead more of an anything goes/ whatever way of life. Smoking, drinking, processed foods, unconscious eating behavior… all the stuff of a… you know, “fun” life!
My system loved the new food choices I was making. I began to hear what my body wanted. I ate mindfully without distraction. Whole foods were healing me on every level. You are what you eat. All was good…. and then I quit smoking.
Body lost it’s mind. Didn’t know what to do. Doesn’t digest. Needed it’s drug to function. Has never been the same. FOOEY!
I quit smoking last July, so it’s been like almost 9 months, and I’m convinced I need to shut my system down completely and reboot. I love the computer analogy I’ve been using for explaining this to everyone. I’ve downloaded ALL new software and it needs to restart in order to begin to function correctly.
The Master Cleanse, when executed correctly, shuts down the entire digestive process in order to clean house. The lemonade concoction is brilliant. Lemon juice, (full of enzymes and trace nutrients) to clean every cell in your body, maple syrup for glucose to keep the brain going, and cayenne pepper to detoxify. People are known to do the cleanse for up to a year in extreme cases. 10 days is the minimum amount of time required to finish the entire cleansing process. Many go for the 40 days. I’m going for the 10 day minimum. That’s 10 days with no food! Just the lemonade and herbal tea.
If you do some research on this, you might be horrified to find out exactly what has been inside of your body for years. There is a gross amount of EWW! and YUCK! that your body can never get rid of without shutting down for repairs. That’s what I’m doing. That’s why I’m doing it.
I’m planning on blogging, (no promises though)- and updating my Twitter status through this process (no, nothing gross… ugh!)— I’m sure it will be harder emotionally than physically…
I begin with full commitment on Monday, March 9th!
