Tuesday, June 8, 2010. Staring out the window at my gorgeous, perfect view of downtown Chicago with less than an hour until my 30th birthday. Can’t exactly say I’ve forgotten it’s my birthday tomorrow but the day is definitely overshadowed by the fact I’m leaving for Tanzania on Saturday afternoon. Never would have imagined a few years ago that I would be packing up and moving to Africa to volunteer and travel for five months but I’m incredibly confident I’m setting out on the right path.
My last day at work was Friday, May 21, 2010. I worked in banking/ commercial lending for about seven and a half years after holding various important jobs such as: babysitter, lifeguard/ swim teacher, waitress, a two week stint shelving books (for some reason I never made it back on the schedule after the first one came out, wonder if falling asleep in the break room after a late Saturday night had anything to do with that…whoops!), a two week stint folding shirts at Marshall Field’s and nannying the summer after graduating from Purdue. Not sure if hanging out in Cape Cod with a fantastic family and one of my best friends Heather (who I convinced not to get a “real” job and join me nannying for another family in the same town) was considered a job though.
While I’ve learned an incredible amount over the past seven years and have met many people that have become amazing friends, I feel it’s time for me to take a step back and figure out where I want to be and what I want to do at this point in my life. I’m so grateful for the love and support from my friends and family. I will miss all of you and can’t wait to see everyone that’s planning on meeting up at some point during my trip!
I wish everyone the best while I’m gone! Email and keep in touch.
Kwaheri,
Catherine 