Life...

I have spent some time lately reading back through the stuff I wrote in my blog while I was in China, and reading some of my old journal entries from the past few years. It's amazing how much I forget about my own life and experiences. I'm always really glad when I actually write stuff down, because apparently I will not remember 95% of it.

Of course, reading about my time in China was genuinely interesting to me because so many random things would happen to me all the time. While I do have a lot of random experiences here.... they just don't seem as noteworthy. I feel like life in the U.S. is just so commonplace and settled. As though my life here is more "real" and less a casual adventure.

At any rate... life is good lately. I still am enjoying living in NYC and am definitely planning on sticking around for a while. My year of service is coming to an end, so I am back out there looking for a new job. I have really enjoyed working at PPNYC and absolutely can not see myself not continuing to work in nonprofits. The low pay is a challenge, and always will be if I choose to stay in the nonprofit sector in the long run, but I really think it's worth it for me.

I have fallen in love with community outreach, which sort of combines the best of retail and office work for me. I get the independent projects and desk work that I sometimes crave, while still being able to go out into the streets and talk to people.

This past year has helped me grow a lot professionally. I still turn bright red when I speak in front of people (I might have to start trying beta blockers) but I feel pretty confident when giving presentations at this point. Now if only I could get over feeling like everyone thinks I'm 17... Or if only everyone would stop thinking I'm 17... It's hard getting up to give a presentation when people look at you as though, "Yeah right... Like she could know what she's talking about." But, I do. And I think that comes out pretty well in my presentations now.

I'm also looking for a new apartment with one of my current roommates. I'm excited about having a smaller place and having more control over what happens in it. I'm also really excited about having a bed that's not 5 feet off the ground. (I have a loft bed right now) I'll miss my other current roommates and the area that I'm living in, but I think in the long run it's the right move. Plus, my room is simply unbearable in the summertime. Seriously. I would be more comfortable sleeping outside when it's over 90 degrees.

In totally unrelated news... I won a trip to the Dominican Republic. I'm pretty excited about it and am taking my mom. I feel like I owe her... and she's not had the best year so I think it will be good for both of us. I haven't been out of the country in well over a year - which is the first time that has happened since I was 2 years old. (Yep, I'm spoiled - and couldn't be happier about it.) So my wanderlust is really flaring up lately and I am getting restless. Hopefully this dulls it a bit. I don't know when we're going, but probably after summer is over.

Well that's all for now. I'll keep everyone posted about interviews and new apartments and whatnot. I had one interview yesterday and another one next week. Fingers crossed! Wish me luck :)