Precious Minutes...

Time has become even more relevant lately- one more day with my friends, two more with those I love, three more days until departure. It feels like I'm holding onto an hour glass and the sand is slipping through at warp speed. The last few days I'll see the people I love the most for potentially the next 6 months?!?! That's ludicrous. Saying goodbye to my sister and Grandma was so hard. They are like extensions of my own body and I can't imagine life without them or the rest of my family and friends. At least I'll see my Mom and Dad and some other important people over the next few days. I wish time would slow down though. I'm not ready for this yet! I've barely begun my preparations and packing yet Friday continues to creep closer. In all honesty, this has started to feel like a bad dream. When I remember what I'm doing and the reality of my departure hits me, I feel sad, even angry at myself for making this decision. All I want to do is stay in my gorgeous uptown apartment, decorate my tree and go Christmas shopping. Why the hell am I leaving my beautiful friends and family?! Especially during Christmas? I am certifiably insane!

It's Not Goodbye, It's See You Soon!

Today was my last day of work. It felt like any ordinary day- regular morning commute, sat at my desk, took break with the girls. My co-workers threw me a lovely farewell potluck lunch (thanks everyone!!) and presented me with flowers and a card. It was such a sweet gesture! It's hard to imagine that I won't see these people everyday anymore.

As the day wore on and people starting dropping by my desk to wish me farewell, I began to feel sentimental about my job and a little anxious about giving it all up. It was surprisingly difficult to walk away from my empty desk at the end of the day. I almost didn't want to leave! I had to keep reminding myself that despite how uncomfortable this makes me feel at the moment, this is in my best interest. I'm not a cubicle dweller! I've finally broken free!

That night, my close friends and family joined me for dinner and drinks at Alleycatz, a restaurant/bar near my place. The food was good, the drinks were plentiful and we all had an amazing time. They oh so sweetly surprised me with thoughtful gifts and cards and offered tons of encouragement and support for the unknown that lies ahead. I'm definitely going to miss everyone! (Better pictures with everyone in it to follow!)

The next day I headed to my Mom's house where they surprised me with Christmas dinner! They had decorated the house, put up the tree, prepared a lovely dinner and were playing Christmas carols, all so that I could celebrate an early Christmas with them before heading off on my adventure. It was incredibly sweet and makes me wonder what has possessed me to leave my amazing family and friends for the holidays.


As emotional as this whole farewell process is, I know it's going to be worth it. I just wish I could bring all my loved ones along with me! I haven't even left yet and I miss them already!

Leap and a Net Will Appear (Or So I Hope!)

I did it. I gave my two week's notice. Omg omg omg. It's such an out of body experience. I must say, this has been one of the hardest decisions of my life so far. There's so much to consider and I've been sitting on the fence for a month now, mulling it all over. But it all comes down to the fact that I have one life to live and I don't intend on wasting it in a cubicle. If I don't do this now, WHEN WILL I? Now that my decision has been made, I can plunge head first into my plans.
 
But omg the anxiety.
 
I'm going to officially announce my decision at work and on Facebook on Monday. I can only imagine the kind of comments that I'll get. People are dying to get into my company, and here I am, willingly walking away, relinquishing security, benefits and regular pay cheques for the unknown. Am I crazy? Yeah, probably. But I can only hope and pray that at the end of my life, this is a decision that I'll be thankful that I made. 

''If you deliberate too long before taking a step you will spend your life wobbling on one leg. Without commitment, nothing can happen'' - E & D Shapiro

Here's to ending this incessant one leg wobbling and jumping into this new experience with both feet ready to hit the ground running. 
 

 
 

Opportunity Knocks But Once

“The only thing more unthinkable than leaving was staying; the only thing more impossible than staying was leaving.” Elizabeth Gilbert

So the opportunity I've been dreaming of has finally arrived- I got a job offer to teach in Peru, effective... immediately! It's the chance of a lifetime and I have a million different thoughts going through my head. Is this the right choice for me? What am I going to come home to? What am I leaving behind? Will these things still be here waiting for me upon my return? Which will I regret more- staying, or leaving? I have to give up my job, my relationship and my home. It's almost too much to handle. But perhaps it's worth it to finally achieve a lifetime dream of mine...

Seems like this blog's about to get more action than it's seen in a long time. Let's see what the next few weeks hold. My next entry just might be written via a spotty internet connection in a Peruvian internet cafe. Actually sounds kind of exciting! Stay tuned!