Char: I LOVE My Job

My name is Charlotte, and I love my job. This past 3 months has been so weird and fast and amazing, I don't really even know what to do with myself. I just got back from PRESENTING on behalf of Penn State. The idea of speaking about the experiences of 98,000 students is so crazy to me. I know I'm really only speaking on behalf of myself, but that I am trusted to represent such a new program, with such a fragile reputation to break, has been such a gift. I am so grateful for the experiences I have had in this weird awesome limbo job. Short of being sleepy, I love coming into the office every day, I love drinking my coffee and checking my email, I love walking around campus (my supervisor knows everyone on campus, it's so crazy.

2012 Charlotte is SHOCKED to read what I am about to write, but I love this school. Yes, every institution has it's problems, and things to work towards, but the people I work with are here for the right reasons, and that's such a powerful thing. I don't really know what other words to add about being here right now. Save SB and Peanut being closer, and less snow, I couldn't ask for anything more.

February 28th was our Orientation Team (OTeam) retreat. I was in charge from start to finish. I was given 4 topics, 9 hours, and a budget. And, do you want to hear something super crazy? I DID IT! I successfully pulled this thing off. I’m not really sure how. I know I asked for help a lot. I know that I tried really hard, and did by best, and got a final push from the staff in my office at the end.

After the last student staff member left the retreat center, I just stood with my supervisor (Katie) and squealed and cried and hugged and maybe shook a little. It was the best high. I made it! In the fall of 2010, I was told that there would not be a place for me with Cal Poly orientation. I cried (heavily) for 6 days straight. David made it, Mego made it, I did not. I was surprised that I didn’t bother to compare those returners who had made it to those who hadn’t. I assumed I would have. That Friday, I had a day long job interview (for a job I wanted ZERO PERCENT) in Downtown Los Angeles. They took us out for drinks after the interview, what the heck. I was barely 21. I left early. All I wanted was to train OLs. Although it took a move across the country, a year in a job i hated, a degree, working my butt off, and asking for help one million times, I did it.

My two favorite feelings in life are happiness, and accomplishment, and I feel BOTH of them here every single day. What a gift, and a blessing.

That's all for now,
Love you Al,
Char

Al: One-Way Ticket to Costa Rica

Char,

I just did something I have always dreamed of doing. I finally made a decision and I couldn’t be more excited!

What did I do? I just booked a one way ticket to Costa Rica. One-way! ONE WAY! I accepted a volunteer position teaching English for a few months, I bought a bus ticket to Panama…and that’s where my journey stands. I’m going to travel through Central America. I’m going to learn Spanish. I’m going to be an elementary school teacher?? I’m not really sure about that last part, but that’s all part of the grand adventure. My grand adventure. I cannot believe that after months of fumbling around, trying to figure out what my next step is that this is the decision I have made.

I have plenty of work experience. If I wanted a job I could probably go get one. I’ve been working since I was 15, most of the time working two or 3 jobs at once. But in building all my work experience, somewhere along the way I forgot to get life experience. Now it’s time to get some life experience; time to go out into the world and see what I find! Maybe one day I’ll even find a job that encourages both (or at least likes the fact that I’ll be able to speak Spanish).

But back to my current story which began my last day in Costa Rica. I couldn’t believe I had to leave. I was devastated. I felt like it wasn’t my time to leave yet. And out of nowhere (call it a sign from God, the universe, whatever) an opportunity presented itself. An opportunity to come back and volunteer teaching English at an elementary school in a small beach town near the Panama border. I couldn’t believe that I had literally been handed this kind of chance. I immediately knew I could not let it slip by. I came home and spent the last few weeks getting back into my life, but all the while making sure to keep in touch with contacts in Costa Rica and actively trying to pursue this opportunity. There was a point where I wasn’t sure it was going to happen. It’s pretty easy to slip back into day to day life. But this time I decided I was not going to let that happen.

Then, this morning, after a few exchanged emails, I got a date from my friend in Costa Rica. She said April 5th would work for me to come down. The next half hour I spent rationalizing my options. I’m going to be living in a home in a town I can’t even find on a map (yes I did check to make sure it really exists). I doubt I’ll have a shower with warm water. I knew if I was going to head down that way I wanted to travel as well. Spend some time in Panama, and maybe make my way into South America. I wasn’t sure that traveling alone in Central America was for me, but I also didn’t want to sit around waiting for someone as crazy as me to quit their job and decide to travel. The reality of this decision hit me and I started to make a pro and con list. Then I tore up the list and booked my ticket. I’m sure I can find adventures staying in Sacramento, but I won’t find the experiences I want.

In the mean time I accepted another political campaign job. I’m with most of the same team from the last campaign, so I’m enjoying it. I am working 6 days a week until I leave. The way I look at it, the more money I have when I head out, the longer I can continue my adventure. Hopefully that’ll be enough for a fun trip (maybe hiking Machu Picchu- I’d love to cross that off of my ever growing bucket list).

The funny thing is, once I made the leap, once I booked the trip friend started wanting to come with me. No, most people aren’t willing to quit good jobs to pack their life into a backpack and spend 6 or so months traveling, but a lot of people want an adventure. I have friends planning to meet me in three different places so far. It is starting to look like I won’t be by myself much after all.

For years I have been reading blogs of travelers and books by travelers. I envied their ability to just leave everything behind for the sake of adventure. I’ve gone on vacations, but I’ve always come home after a week or two. Now it’s my turn, my journey, my adventure. I will be posting about all of my adventures as they happen. Also, if you’d like to join me anywhere just let me know. I’m always up to meet up with people during my travels.

A special thank you to Char for helping me while I’m gone. She’s going to be posting everything for me. I don’t know what my internet situation will be and I have no idea how to use a blog…I’m fairly technologically challenged. But I’m great with a camera so I’m sure to have fun things to say and great pictures to go with them.

Al: Costa Rica: The Beginning of a Great Adventure

Hey Char,

I can’t sleep. It is 4:46 am. In four hours I will be headed back to the US. Since I can’t sleep I figured now is as good a time as any to recap the last 13 days. To explain the bliss that is Costa Rica. To explain where I am at this moment. And to explain how Costa Rica has affected me in so many ways (already). When I decided to come to Costa Rica, I didn’t fully understand the impact that this trip would have on my life. From the very beginning, this trip caused turbulence and rockiness in my life.

I picked Costa Rica because his ideal vacation is to surf and mine adventures in nature. It’s actually very simple, I was trying to find the place where the jungle and the ocean came together. But Costa Rica had more in mind than that. When he told me he would never go to Costa Rica, I was heartbroken and I couldn’t explain why it hit me so hard. As usual my mom was there to pick up the pieces and offered to go with me instead. He was not pleased. It was then that I realized that my willingness to go despite his negative reaction was not good.  Although we spent the next few months trying, this was when our relationship ended. There was no way we could survive Costa Rica and somewhere deep down I think we both knew that.  

With time slowly healing my wounds I pushed on. Costa Rica was my goal, my destination. I was focused and ready. I made and itinerary, packing list, and an emergency contacts list. I got travel insurance and keens and more DEET than I knew what to do with (it’s actually become a running joke this trip that my kids are going to have 6 toes due to my massive DEET use. I’m going to feel pretty bad if they really do). I found amazing people to watch my puppy for a few weeks. And then I was off. What I didn’t fully comprehend was that Costa Rica was not my destination, merely the beginning of my new journey.

Flying gives me more anxiety than almost anything. I’m incredibly claustrophobic and terrified of heights, basically I am a huge chicken (I am pretty much scared of my shadow). However, I also understand that in order to travel and have the adventures I want, I must face my fears head on. I also understand the basic science behind planes and how safe they really are. Although it doesn’t change my fear, I get how illogical it is. Usually I just try to sleep on Red Eyes, but not this time.

Once we touched down I finally calmed down and was ready to begin our trip. Mama and I rented a car. When we arrived we hadn’t slept in about 30+ hours. After driving for 3 ½ short hours we arrived in a town called El Castillo about ½ an hour outside of La Fortuna in Arenal. People complain about the roads and the directions in Costa Rica. Yes, in some parts you drive down dirt roads for what seems like an eternity. But I thought the majority of roads were better than the ones in California. We got a GPS with the car and never got lost. It was not nearly as bad as we thought it would be.

In Arenal we stayed at an eight room b&b. The manager Nanci was delightful and helped us book an adventure filled trip. We hiked, zip lined, river rafted, and she even let us ride her horses.

Our next stop, Monteverde was a bit more of a trek. In order to reach our destination, we had to drive three hours down a bumpy dirt road into the middle of nowhere. We spent the entire three hours humming the Indiana Jones song, taking pictures, and laughing about the ridiculousness of this part of our journey. In the Monteverde Cloud Forest, we saw so many birds and critters. I went canyoning and we went on a coffee tour. Even mama getting pneumonia couldn’t slow us down.

Our final destination was the beach town of Manuel Antonio. This is where the jungle came to life. We were surrounded by animals everywhere we went; monkey’s trying to steal our lunch, lizards walking down the street, and parrots just hanging out in trees. I couldn’t believe all of the wild things we saw. We also made a few friends in Manuel Antonio and I hope our relationships continue to blossom.

More things happened than I know how to describe. Everywhere we turned, we met friends, had adventures, and saw unique and amazing creatures. The sheer attitude of the country had us in complete awe. It wasn’t just that each place individually was a fantastic experience, it’s that as a whole country Costa Rica strives to create greatness through togetherness.

As I look up at the stars, one last time from Coast Rica, I can’t imagine not being here. I’ve gotten used to throwing away my toilet paper. Being covered in bug bites is not as bad as I thought it would be (the B12 is really helping). I feel lighter than I have felt in 10 years. I have found a place where kindness is a valued virtue. Where sharing a meal with complete strangers is normal—even if they happen to be monkeys—just kidding DON’T FEED THE MONKEYS! Where nature and everyday life become one. The serenity of walking up to birds chirping, water running, and monkeys howling puts me in a state of complete peace. I am happy, excited, and ready for whatever adventure comes next.

Love you,

Al