Last Weekend

The week is almost past me, and I now have only two days left of work - and I really could not be more excited! Any doubts I had over my shaky financial plan evaporated after I went to my last management meeting today. Aside from giving the occasional insight or reasonable question, I spent the whole time laughing manically inside my head about all the things I wouldn't have to deal with anymore. It was glorious. 

It was a positive meeting overall though, and everyone said they would miss me and sent me off with well wishes. I'm also fairly certain I could get a fantastic letter of recommendation out of the owner if I needed it, and that makes me happy. 

Despite all the trials and tribulations I've dealt with and witnessed there, I'm glad I was able to quit on a good note - not an easy thing to do there, as many of my coworker-friends would testify to, having left there in nothing short of a blood bath. I'm feeling rather lucky, though I'd like to chalk some of that up to my even-tempered nature. And you know, my evil superpowers. 

So now I start my laundry list of goals to accomplish in the next month or two. 

1. Travel a little (or a lot)
2. Clean up my life (room, bathroom, car)
3. Get into shape
4. Hang out with non-work friends (who may have been abducted by aliens for all I know [although the aliens must give them access to facebook? what nice aliens!])
5. Practice marimba
6. Write
7. Get hired again

Because, unfortunately, no one can live on zero-income. I'm pleased that I have saved up enough money to feel safe taking some time off for myself, and I'm going to take advantage of that and try to find a job that I really like. Or at least one that doesn't make me feel like I need to take months away from any kind of work just to recuperate. 

The first travel trip may actually be down to southern California to visit my vacationing mother (she has such great timing!). She always encouraged me to give my work my all, and didn't quite understand my insatiable need to quit until very recently when I visited home for a late Christmas.

"You really dread going to work everyday, don't you?"

When I answered with an emphatic YES, she gave me her hesitant approval to quit, which I didn't realize I'd been waiting for. My mom's opinion has always meant a lot to me. That bit of acknowledgment, that no one should force themselves to live a life that makes them so genuinely unhappy, was the courage I needed to finally make those plans, and hopefully, to eventually improve my life.

(So thanks, Mom).

Anyway. Plans are in the works! And I am still happy with my decision.

New Beginning

Last June, I graduated with my undergrad in Business Administration, with an emphasis on Hospitality, and a minor in Music. About a month out of college, I was promoted to a management position at my job, at a restaurant and hotel. Lucky, right? Fresh out of school, and straight into a management position "in my field," in the middle of the recession. Everyone congratulated me. I was taken out for drinks. My dad told me how proud he is of me.

I almost turned it down.

I hated my job. But it was okay, I told myself. If I just get in another year at this place, I'll have management experience to put on my resume. It's the practical thing to do, especially considering the economy. Plus, I would gain experience. Never mind that I already knew I wanted to get as far away from hospitality as possible. Never mind that I had planned to quit and travel with my friend on the WWOOF program after summer. I could apply management experience to anything I wanted to do in the future! ...I think. And I could always travel later... right?

Three weeks ago, I put in a month's notice. Do I have another job lined up? Nope. Maybe some interviews at least? No - I'm going to go on some road trips instead. Do people look at me funny when I tell them that? Do they tell me about the job market, and make mental calculations about how spoiled I must be? Have a delightful number of my friends and family decided I am naive, ungrateful, and headed for financial ruin? Yes.

Am I happier and more excited about my life than I have been in the past year and eight months? YES.

I've been pretty good about always doing the practical thing so far in my life. I never spend too much money, and am good at saving. Previously, I quit a job I LOVED in order to have a job that didn't pay me under the table. I majored in business, not music, despite that it was obvious where my heart was. I pay my rent on time. I'm always the designated driver. I look both ways before crossing the damn street.

The most impractical thing I have done yet was to take a quarter off of school and go to west Africa to volunteer and study for four months. And I don't even have to say it - you already know what I'm going to say because it's intuitive - but here it is anyway; it was one of the best experiences of my life.

But what about the economy? How easy do you think it's going to be a job when you get done with your little excursions? Have you ever not had money to eat? I didn't think so. And you're getting paid $12 an hour plus tips? Do you know how lucky you are? Don't quit. Tough it out, it can't be that bad. This economy is terrible. And the economy's really bad. And I have I mentioned the economy? IT'S KINDA SUCKY.

I know I have been lucky. Lucky doesn't even begin to describe it. And I know the economy is dismal. But I don't want to live my life by other people's rules and perceptions. I don't want to live in fear, going through the paces of a soul-draining job when I'm only 24 years old. I'm told life is what you make it. I'm of the opinion that happiness is not something you arrive at one day, but something you must be choosing constantly. I'm young, with no family to support - this is the time for adventures.

I also think fear of the economy is one of the things that are keep people exactly where they are, thus contributing to a lack of flow in the job market, and perpetuating this economy. So, there. I'm doing my part. As I leave, one of my staff members is getting promoted to my job. And someone will be hired in her place.

It's the circle of life, dude!

And so I begin this blog with a journey in front of me. I will chronicle my adventures with travel and job searching, road trips and interviews. My budgeting schemes, and reckless abandon. So far, I just have a handful of small road trips planned, with close friends and even closer destinations. They're what you might call practical.

...

Or maybe I'll go to Thailand. That sounds like fun.