The Odyssey Continues . . .

By now, I have had the opportunity to tell most of my friends and family in person of my future plans. As you know, when I embarked on my "odyssey" in September, I had been contemplating my next life move for some time. Being away from the normal grind of life allowed me to really think about who I want to be and what I would like to do. It helped me to rediscover some of my passions and interests (namely, those associated with traveling and international relations) as well as begin some personal growth and exploration.

Well, after 4 months of being out of my normal life routine, I decided I didn't want it to end! Of course, there are many perks to not having to go to work for 4 months, but anyone who knows me understands that I would not choose to make a major life decision based upon laziness. Nevertheless, I was never happier with my decision to leave my job and my home of 5+ years than on my first day "back" to work (the start of my final 2 weeks at work) when I found myself crowded onto an aging metro car at 8 o'clock in the morning surrounded by tired and seemingly jaded runners in the rat race!

Yes, I have finally decided that I need a break from Washington -- the politics, the bureacracy, the hustle and bustle, the hoards of Type-A personalities who only seem to care about what you do and who you know. Washington is a fascinating city, and like so many others, I was drawn to it upon graduating college as the place where everything happens, the place where you are watching CNN and realize, "hey, I am just down the street from all the action!" It is the place where so many important events occur and for that, I appreciate the time I have spent immersing myself in its ways and culture. Nevertheless, I must admit, driving through the city yesterday and taking an admiring gaze at the capital building, the Jefferson Memorial and reflecting pond, various monuments and memorials, and finally my long-time neighbor, the Pentagon -- I felt completely at peace as I said "goodbye" to this chapter of my life.

So, what's next? I am officially unemployed, having tossed the secure government job for the unknown, and technically homeless, having rented out my condo to help pay the bills, and I couldn't feel better! I have decided to once again embrace my adventurous self and follow a dream I have held since arriving back to the States after a year abroad in Germany: I am moving back overseas! Yes, my friends, at this time two weeks from now, I will be arriving in Naples, Italy, my home-away-from-home for (at least) the next three months!

Do I speak Italian? Not exactly. Do I have a job lined up? Well, some ideas. Does that count? With these practical questions, I cannot be bothered right now! I have made the first big step, and that is, simply, making the decision to do it, committing wholeheartedly to this leap of faith that I believe will reap dividends in experience and adventure! I am essentially heading to Italy to give myself a 3-month trial run -- to allow myself to learn the language, explore work opportunities, continue my process of personal growth, and just see if I like living there.

As I mentioned before, I have longed to move back overseas (to Europe, in particular) since studying in Germany (wow!) 7 years ago. I absolutely love learning new languages, learning about new cultures, interacting with people different than myself. And my travels this past fall reminded me of just how much I love it! This passion has been a reoccuring presence in my life since my first trip abroad at 17; I have discovered that no matter what I do to occupy myself with other endeavors, it remains a driving force in the decisions I make and, ultimately, in the way I live my life. If my "odyssey" did nothing more, it helped me to reconnect with something that fundamentally defines who I am and what I want to be. Do I have all the answers? NO. Can I predict where I will be 5 years from now? Heck no, I can't even predict one year out! But I feel that I am truly blessed to be persuing my God-given interests when it seems that so many surrounding me settle with what is practical or comfortable.

So with this, I begin the next phase of "Andrea's Odyssey." It is a challenge that I unblindly accept, one that I recognize could be uncomfortable and scary, one that will surely push me in new ways. Do I know how I'll come out? Not exactly, but I feel very strongly that this is the right thing for me right now, and I ask only that as my family and friends you support me in what may seem a bold and perhaps illogical move. As my pastor has said many times, "God's plans for our lives don't always seem logical," but I recognize that God is leading me to embrace the unknown and to take a risk. As I like to remind myself daily, if you never take any risks, you'll never reap the benefits, which could be some of life's greatest pleasures and triumphs.

So, welcome to Part II of Andrea's Odyssey, and I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I think I will!

New Year, New Me

Happy 2007 to all! To those of you who are still faithfully following my meanderings (of both body and mind), I apologize yet again for my delinquency in blogging. I will forego the lame excuses and simply say that this sadly characterizes me oh too well - not that I am lazy or unaccomplished, but that I often have a great many insights into fabulous things I should be doing and unfortunately not enough hours in the day to implement them sufficiently. In a strange way, I believe it points to a positive personal improvement - that I have been able to relax and enjoy my time with my family as opposed to creating "work" for myself to do.

In short, after arriving home from my trip in late November, I spent the holiday season with my family in Oklahoma and then went on a family trip to Florida for Christmas and New Year's. And now, after an absence of 4 months, I am temporarily reacclimating myself to life in The District. Beginning today, I am back at work for my last two weeks as a federal employee. Yes, you read that correctly: I am ditching the government job in favor of spreading my wings even more.

"Crazy" some may say, but I am excited to try some new things and continue to explore who I am and what I want to be doing with my life. I am too young and life is too short to stay somewhere I am not crazy about. I've had a good run in D.C., but I feel like it is time to move on to another adventure.

More to come on my future plans soon...