It's official: I am on sabbatical! Well, my version anyway. I finished at Club this past Wednesday and The Ltd yesterday. My co-workers at the latter surprised me with a large cookie cake, a gem of a dessert, and sent me off with warm wishes for safe travels. It was so nice and not to mention muy delicioso. Nonetheless, I still woke up bright and early at 8 am like clockwork. Which was especially painful after staying up until the wee hours of the night indulging in a few bon voyage drinks with friends in Royal Oak.
The whole out of work thing has really made me realize that I am infact leaving. It is the first time in a while that I've had the time to let this realization soak long enough to get excited slash frantic all over again. Mostly I'm eager to see how and where this adventure will lead me. It is my first solo-ish trip and i'm really starting to regret not effortlessly picking up the entire Spanish language like I had originally planned these past few months. Minor detail. The packing and the planning is all coming down to the final 72 hour stretch and I can't help but wonder what i'll be doing when the 96th hour is here. Eating tacos and humming James Taylor?
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
Locks of Love
Two thousand and nine. I decided to start the new year by doing something for someone else.
Thanks in part to my sister who donated this past summer, on January 2nd, 2009 I donated 11 inches of my precious hair to Locks of Love. It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be, possibly because I had undergone months of preparation for this very drastic feature change in advance. It was sort of freeing in a way; I had just graduated college and began the new year as an adult. Very second season Felecity-esque. Anyway, just a few days ago I received a letter from Locks of Love informing me my donation had been received and will be used for a child. Even after three months passing (along with the thrill of the entire process) it felt so good all over again.
I highly recommend all of you long-locked girls to do the same. It is a great thing to do for someone who has suffered so severely, and I'm actually loving the new do! And if you are about to give me that "I look awful with short hair...I don't know, it might take years to grow back" saga, keep in mind people, it has probably been at least ten years since I have done such a chop (not exageranting when i say drastic). Your hair will grow back. I've gained a solid two inches since January and my roots are slower than a slug! I told myself no matter how much I dislike it, I have to feel good knowing it is bringing someone else so much joy and a glimpse of "normal" back into their lives.
Finally, another great aspect of donating is the conveience and security of having your regular stylist do the big chop for you instead of going to a random one-timer. Check out their website to learn more: http://www.locksoflove.org/ and help a child cope with the loss of their hair.
Riding the waves, creating the plan
It has never felt unusual to me that those closest to me are jet-setters; always eager to explore a new corner of the world. Now I realize that these people, my friends, with such deep senses of adventure implanted inside are truly unique. Traveling has never been a question of embarkment for me, my ever-present curiosity has made it clear that it is something I will forever crave.
However, figuring out and making my own travel plans has been somewhat of a rollercoaster of an event. They have started out as long-term globetrotting treks with varied destinations (not very practical to say the least, but hey, a girl can dream), to a more realistic outline. Things have not been set in stone for the tail end of my trip, but I definately feel content with what I hope to be my itenerary.
Based on time limitations, money (of course the last-minute realizations of immunization shots; summer rent that I wanted to altogether avoid, telling myself it would magically take care of itself; a looming loan payment; etc.), friends, family, work...and well reality, a different than expected, yet still very exciting plan has been unfolded.
April 1st (what do you know, April Fools Day...let's hope this makes for an interesting start) I will be flying direct from Detroit to Oaxaca, Mexico where I will begin my journey. Easter week my friend has found quite the diggs to kick back in at the beach. Check out our pad and don't get too jealous, i'll be sure to take a lot of pictures :)
Afterwards I plan on taking off for San Andres Island, Colombia to participate in a Habitat for Humanity program. We will be renovating kitchens and bathrooms - giving some running water for the very first time! I can't tell you how excited I am about this, it was one of those things I wasn't initially planning on doing that worked itself out perfectly. The day I was interviewed and accepted into the program happened to be Ash Wednesday. I sat in Mass with a giant smile pasted across my face looking like a dufus. I couldn't help it, I was just so excited.
However, figuring out and making my own travel plans has been somewhat of a rollercoaster of an event. They have started out as long-term globetrotting treks with varied destinations (not very practical to say the least, but hey, a girl can dream), to a more realistic outline. Things have not been set in stone for the tail end of my trip, but I definately feel content with what I hope to be my itenerary.
Based on time limitations, money (of course the last-minute realizations of immunization shots; summer rent that I wanted to altogether avoid, telling myself it would magically take care of itself; a looming loan payment; etc.), friends, family, work...and well reality, a different than expected, yet still very exciting plan has been unfolded.
April 1st (what do you know, April Fools Day...let's hope this makes for an interesting start) I will be flying direct from Detroit to Oaxaca, Mexico where I will begin my journey. Easter week my friend has found quite the diggs to kick back in at the beach. Check out our pad and don't get too jealous, i'll be sure to take a lot of pictures :)
Afterwards I plan on taking off for San Andres Island, Colombia to participate in a Habitat for Humanity program. We will be renovating kitchens and bathrooms - giving some running water for the very first time! I can't tell you how excited I am about this, it was one of those things I wasn't initially planning on doing that worked itself out perfectly. The day I was interviewed and accepted into the program happened to be Ash Wednesday. I sat in Mass with a giant smile pasted across my face looking like a dufus. I couldn't help it, I was just so excited.
Hello World
With the recent end of my college years (tear), I am beginning to shed the safe shell of a bubble that I have existed in for the past 22 years of my life. The Real World (aka reality) is knocking as e
ach month draws further from the life of an undergrad and I'm beginning to realize life is a whole lot different on the outside.
I'm a firm believer that people always say"college was the best time of my life," because life as a college student is like living on a playground; its just like the carefree years of being an adolescent, PLUS the conveniences of maturity (hopefully ) - having your license, legally being able to drink and go to the bars, money (that is, if you haven't spent it all due to point #2), total freedom due to zero adult supervision, etc. (and for the record I loved my college years; however, have no intention on accepting it as the final "best time" in my life...I plan on having many more). With each new day and experience however, I feel that someone out there is beginning to prick this little bubble of mine and it will deflate before my very eyes. And what will be revealed before me? With the playground fading out of sight, am I jumping off the merry-go-round, or will I simply hop onto a new one? We'll have to wait to find out.
The good news is it's okay. Sure the economy might be in the tubes, and the weather can be as pleasant as a chilled Corona on a deserted beach one day and magically transform into a bitter shot of nyquil the next, but the Real World is here. It's time to move on to bigger and better adventures to challenge myself with. The first obvious obstacle you might be dreaming up is a job, or a "career" as you real worlders call it. Problem solved. Currently, I have two in blossom. I have been busting my chops for the past fifteen days straight. Tomorrow and Wednesday are my first days off since this stretch of my use and abuse in the working world. Which conveniently happens to be St. Patty's day. Hey, how'd that happen? :)
Anyways, getting back on track. "Career"/job - Check. Check.
The kink in that plan is that I have always planned on traveling after the grueling 4 1/2 years of professors, exams, papers, five day weekends and Saturday morning drinking fests during tailgating season. Au contraire friends, I know what you're thinking but power hour at 7am is not an easy feat. It really does take a toll on a girl. Those plans are finally getting on track and will be in full swing in approximately 2 weeks.
This transformation into adulthood, among other things has been the inspiration for creating this blog. It is also due in part to two very good friends. After being separated by hundreds of miles for our college years and now as it seems, beyond our post-undergrad years (okay, so far its only been a few months...but it sure does feel like years), these busy bodies have become regular bloggers; updating me on their most recent travels, thoughts, experiences, and all of the juicy details in between. (Check out my little fashionista and foodie at afreshdille.wordpress.com and my globetrotter at emmalsefton.blogspot.com).
I'll stop rambling and start blogging - Enjoy!
ach month draws further from the life of an undergrad and I'm beginning to realize life is a whole lot different on the outside.I'm a firm believer that people always say"college was the best time of my life," because life as a college student is like living on a playground; its just like the carefree years of being an adolescent, PLUS the conveniences of maturity (hopefully ) - having your license, legally being able to drink and go to the bars, money (that is, if you haven't spent it all due to point #2), total freedom due to zero adult supervision, etc. (and for the record I loved my college years; however, have no intention on accepting it as the final "best time" in my life...I plan on having many more). With each new day and experience however, I feel that someone out there is beginning to prick this little bubble of mine and it will deflate before my very eyes. And what will be revealed before me? With the playground fading out of sight, am I jumping off the merry-go-round, or will I simply hop onto a new one? We'll have to wait to find out.
The good news is it's okay. Sure the economy might be in the tubes, and the weather can be as pleasant as a chilled Corona on a deserted beach one day and magically transform into a bitter shot of nyquil the next, but the Real World is here. It's time to move on to bigger and better adventures to challenge myself with. The first obvious obstacle you might be dreaming up is a job, or a "career" as you real worlders call it. Problem solved. Currently, I have two in blossom. I have been busting my chops for the past fifteen days straight. Tomorrow and Wednesday are my first days off since this stretch of my use and abuse in the working world. Which conveniently happens to be St. Patty's day. Hey, how'd that happen? :)
Anyways, getting back on track. "Career"/job - Check. Check.
The kink in that plan is that I have always planned on traveling after the grueling 4 1/2 years of professors, exams, papers, five day weekends and Saturday morning drinking fests during tailgating season. Au contraire friends, I know what you're thinking but power hour at 7am is not an easy feat. It really does take a toll on a girl. Those plans are finally getting on track and will be in full swing in approximately 2 weeks.
This transformation into adulthood, among other things has been the inspiration for creating this blog. It is also due in part to two very good friends. After being separated by hundreds of miles for our college years and now as it seems, beyond our post-undergrad years (okay, so far its only been a few months...but it sure does feel like years), these busy bodies have become regular bloggers; updating me on their most recent travels, thoughts, experiences, and all of the juicy details in between. (Check out my little fashionista and foodie at afreshdille.wordpress.com and my globetrotter at emmalsefton.blogspot.com).
I'll stop rambling and start blogging - Enjoy!
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