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Welcome to my mid-life crisis. Mine is not taking the expected form of a sports car or face lift. Mine is a gap year (or gap 5½ months, really). It's also not so much a "crisis" as it is an "adjustment."
After working for 20 years and generally following the predictable path, I've chosen to veer off course. This is not in character for me at all. In general, I tend to follow the rules, stick to an established pattern, go with the flow. So far that "flow" has led me through college and into a career in line with my education. But about a year ago, I realized that I was ready to do something different - I just wasn't sure exactly what that was. And so my "adjustment" began.
Most of this past year was spent trying to figure out what I want to do next. For many months, that took the shape of updating my résumé, applying for jobs I thought should be the next step in my career… and getting lots of rejection letters. After awhile, I started realizing that I wasn't finding (or getting) that next job because I didn't know what it was I was really looking for. And then, one day a few months ago, an epiphany: I NEED A GAP YEAR! Andrew had one after college. Lots of high school and college grads abroad do. Gives them a chance to shake off school and have an adventure before settling into careers and families. Why should college kids have all the fun? And why should it only happen between school and career? Why couldn't it happen between career and next career?
And so, the planning began. Narrowing down potential destinations was hard, but I decided I'd rather stay awhile in a few spots than rush around to many. I also decided a year was a bit long - and summers in Portland are too nice to miss. I already had planned a trip to Costa Rica in February for a week-long surf camp (thanks to Michele for inspiring that decision!). Why not tack on a couple more months to travel around that country, volunteer at a sea turtle research station, and take Spanish classes? And since Costa Rica is on the way to South America - a continent I have never visited - why not head there next? I'll spend a couple months in Argentina, visiting Buenos Aires and Bariloche and staying awhile in Mendoza to take more Spanish classes… and drink my share of malbec. Andrew will join me for three weeks there. When he heads back to Portland, I'll head to Puerto Rico for a (relatively) quick 10-day visit before returning to Portland in July.
When I started telling my friends and family about this idea, I was prepared for raised eyebrows and double-takes. "You're going to quit a perfectly good job and do WHAT???" Despite the fact that I may very well be crazy, every single one of them has been reassuring about my plans (at least to my face!). I could not do any of this without their love and support, and I am particularly indebted to Andrew for his unfaltering encouragement and willingness to hold down the fort while I'm away.
They say planning is half the fun. If that's true, then my gap 5½ months is going to be off-the-charts amazing! One month from now, on February 14, my bags will be packed and I'll be on my way. Between now and then, I'll be wrapping up things at my current job and making a list of things I need to bring. (Hopefully it's a fairly short list. I'll be traveling pretty light.)
I plan to post on this blog regularly in order to share stories, sights, and discoveries. My hope is that my travels in the southern hemisphere (or, at least, very close to it) will allow me to regain perspective and that I'll return home with a clearer vision of what I'll do next.
This adventure will be my "Latitude Adjustment."
- comments
Michele Ignoffo Latitude adjustment sounds awesome. Glad I get to be part of the first part.
Fizz Fizz Wow I am jealous! Do you need a photographer? I hope you have a better camera than your folks!!! I look forward to following your adventure.
Erika Carpenter I'm so excited for you Cara!! This sounds wonderful...although i have to admit that I'm just a little jealous too. :) Can't wait to hear about your adventures! Wishing you all the best!
Laura Robinson So cool! Love this idea! Can't wait to live vicariously and see where this adventure takes you! Best of luck, friend!
WB Darn! Michele beat me with her comment. Praise the infant in all of his omnipotence that you are not chronicling this on FB! I can't wait to read (and see) more. Now, if I can only figure out this math question..
Teri Adam So fantastic! You are not crazy. We are all crazy for not going with you. Looking forward to reading your blogs. Looking forward to experiening the lattitude adjustment through your blogs.
Amy Ferber So excited for you Cara!! Have a wonderful adventure and thanks for sharing with all of us!! Love and miss you so much!! xoxo Amy
Tie So very cool, Cara! The very best to you and have fun! I look forward to following your adventure! Love & Hugs, Tie
MM Am I a bit worried? You bet. Do I support your adjustment? 100%!!!! Don't let Fizz fool ya. Those throwaway cameras are great, but he does take the best pictures. Stay safe! Stay healthy.
Autumn This is SO awesome Cara! I can't wait to hear about your adventures and think it's absolutely the right thing to do. Have fun!
Elaine DeAngelo Cara, you remind me of your mother, even though she would say different, with your sense of adventure. Have fun, enjoy, and much more be safe. Looking forward to you writing as you are such a good writer very descriptive and you put your feeling and self into you word, maybe that will be your second calling.
Bob Jacobs Wow fantastic ! What an adventure. Your pals Mark &Bob
Steve K Cara, it sounds like to me, you are living your life the way "Life" is to be lived. I have been down that way (Argentina & Chile) 7 years ago. Best of times...days and nights. That's what we all enjoy about you...Dynamic. Have a beer for me and a shot for Chuck! :) Later!
DD Elaine says you remind her of your mother. I disagree - your mother's idea of "adventure" is going someplace where there is no room service after 9 pm. I happy for you, especially when I realized that no place on your itinerary is the subject of a State Department warning to visitors. Have fun!
evie Wow! What a fantastc experience! Look forward to following your adventures. Safe travels and....have fun
Darrell Allen Cara , Michelle, Ace, Zeke and The Emerald Planet Band will be monitoring your amazing adventure! Love your spirit Sister C. Trek On!
Rod and Kim Go forth. Sounds like an amazing trip. I look forward to following your adventure.
Heather Alexander So excited for you and this adventure - also excited for all of us who get to live vicariously. Super sad for you to leave NFWF but thankful that this career brought you into my life. NFWF or not, I'm not letting you go! Thank you for being such a wonderful friend and for sharing this new adventure with all of us. Can't wait for the next installment. There will be so much love and support traveling with you!
c There's a reason I've always found you awesome ... marathon runner, biologist, rock band diva, Jeopardy star... and now, here you go again! We're already feeling the loss but will be grateful for the posts to come to keep us connected to you. Bon voyage and happy trails!
Susan I can't wait to live vicariously through you starting in Feb!! Good idea to take more language classes in Argentina. I think Spanish in Argentina should actually be called Argentinian - sooo different! You'll have fun learning the difference and drinking Malbec along the way :) Go Cara!!
Barb Cant wait to follow you on the adventure, Cara. P.S. Why is this blog asking me 4+5 to sign up. Is it a trick? If I say 10, am I screened out from reading your blog?
Robin Kozub Excited for you!
Julie Concannon You go girl! I have always admired your chutzpah...now you are supercharging it! Go forth and enjoy:-)