This trip was good, good for my soul.
Little details we experienced made me glad, such as the great weather and pretty foliage.
On a deeper scale, I’m appreciative for my friends. Despite all that went down with the break-up and ‘the exodus’ this year, I still have a great group of friends who I can turn to for laughs, hugs, hospitality, advice, and the like. This is so huge, so meaningful! Sally and Andrew’s hospitality was amazing; I know it’s hard to live in NY and invite 3 people into an apartment that is already shared with 4 busy people. Despite that, we were welcomed, our air mattress and futon were set up, and the bedding was laid out. Sally was a great hostess! Despite being busy with work, having other friends in town at the same time, and needing to prepare for a 2 week trip, Sally spent a lot of time with us! From food recommendations to subway advice, to catching up on each others’ stories, it was so good to reconnect. Finally, I am so thankful for Diana and Sitha, and for the opportunity to travel with them on this trip. I’ve traveled with both girls separately before (St. Louis, NY, Seattle, SF Bay, Ojai, Panama, Las Vegas, Tahoe), and the three of us have hung out a few times before, but this was our first trip all together. Both of these ladies have been there for me this year and have helped me so much. Every experience I wrote about in these blogposts was an experience shared with these two ladies, and I couldn’t have asked for better travel companions for this trip. It was an honor to celebrate Diana’s 25th with her.
There is nothing like time away from your everyday life to help you gain perspective on what you want your everyday life to look like.
The trip was good for thinking through a lot of other things I am going through and experiencing at this time in my life… relationships, friendships, etc. It was refreshing to have things confirmed by multiple friends. Next steps are still TBD, but it’s good to know I’m supported.
In terms of working and living thoughts… Do I want to move to NY? Maybe! Is it something I’m going to pursue RIGHT NOW? No. Like I said, perspective was gained–that doesn’t mean that answers to my life questions were found. I won’t lie to you, being in Manhattan, surrounded by people 24-30ish working as consultants, advertisers, investment bankers, and studying in professional school certainly made me think of the “what-ifs” of a career change (as I’ve said before–a change would probably still keep me within the field of education at a more macro level, outside of the classroom).
Regardless… “Age Quod Ages”, right? Tomorrow I go back to work to see my babies. It’ll a full week of classes (our schedule has been funky for the past couple of weeks), as well as a full week of meetings. It’s always tough to be at work after a vacation (I will not deny it– I could get used to planning my days around the gourmet food I want to eat that day, taking photographs of trees, etc.) but it’s all good. It’ll be exhausting, but it will be amazing. This exhausting/amazing combo will last until at least June. Until then, I have a place to be, and a mission to accomplish at my school.
“I’ve got some issues that nobody can see
and all of these emotions are pouring out of me
I bring them to the light for you
its only right”
-Kid Cudi
