I don’t really even know where to begin. I literally was just cleaning up my photos from 2017. That’s two years ago. It just hasn’t been a priority and to be honest, in part, it’s because 2017 was just great. We went to Mauritius and the Seychelles, two of our dream destinations, I went skiing in Vail, a wedding in North Carolina, a trip to Panama, another to Copenhagen – and did an Ironman somewhere in there too.
Not to say 2018 was awful, but changing jobs in 2018 was not particularly fun. To go from 24 days of leave a year (beyond generous) to 8 hours per month was garbage. I don’t really know how else to say it. Then we also staged our old place, bought a new house, and somehow I kept training. I think the training part was 90% for my mental health because moving is pretty much the worst thing ever and knowing you have no leave is just…ugh. Yes, first world problems, yes I realize these are not pressing issues, yes, I realize I sound spoiled. But I felt like a dog that had lived its entire life on a ranch that was moved to shoebox in Manhattan. Alive, well-fed, but…not much else.
And now I work for the government. Something I’ve wanted for such a long time. I’ve been trying to decide how much to say about that situation on here (both working for the government in general right now and my current role), but I’m not quite ready and need to put in some more thought on how to do so tactfully and appropriately.
Am I intellectually interested in what I do? Yes, absolutely. I read news about my field even when I’m not at work. And I waited a very long time to work my way into the government. Someone I follow on Instagram (because they are an awesome person and inspiring triathlete) said the following the other day – “Don’t cling to a mistake because you’ve spent a lot of time making it.” So, that’s about where I am. Who can I blame? I’d say 90% myself. I turned down some awesome opportunities and put up with some things I just shouldn’t have because I thought I wanted something that–guess what–turns out I don’t. At least not in its current manifestation.
Anyone need a dog-walker with a lot of letters behind their name? I’ll also organize your closet and mow your yard!
In any case – I may try to boot my blog back up with some local travel and trips when we get around to them. I’ve gotten some feedback like “why don’t you quit your job and travel full-time since you love travel so much.” Folks, I don’t want to travel full-time. I have a dog. A horse. And a husband who I actually like (full-time). I hate being on the go. I like my home and where I live. I love triathlon training. The “go travel full-time” chorus, for me, is like telling a goldfish to go check out the ocean.
So for those of you that still stop by, thanks. And I really mean that. I’ve helped some of you with gorilla questions, Dubai issues, and clothing quandaries. I love hearing from you.
So lovely to hear from you Heather! Well done on the new role and to have ticked off Mauritius and the Seychelles in such a short space of time must have been a dream come true!