The first week was fine, I had my friends wedding and then my parents were here in Florida to visit. I got to spend some time in Weeki Wachee, on the Gulf Coast, and my parents in an unreal and spectacular gesture bought me a new car (an unfortunate necessity down here in Florida). On week 2, the job searching began. I almost forgot how much this part sucks. Before my trip I had been working for the same company for over 3 years so applying and interviewing feels a little alien now. Not to mention I am still not sure what I really want to do with my life, a frustrating place to be when you're thirty. But, I think I have a plan. I have decided to get a part-time or seasonal job for the time being, and one just came through this week. I am officially a seasonal sales rep in the handbags division of Macy's...which is laughable because I have never in my life owned a high-end handbag like the ones I will be selling, and would definitely never, ever spend the kind of money I will be coaxing my customers into paying for these bags. The most expensive bag I own is the $130 backpack I traveled the world with :) At the same time, as to not completely negate my 4 year degree and 8 years of experience, I will continue to apply for non-agency marketing positions with companies that I actually care about. Maybe the frustration I was feeling with my career was more about working in agency's up in NYC than the actual industry itself. I guess we'll see. If something comes through then great, if not I will continue working at Macy's until the right opportunity comes my way. While I move forward with all of this I am going to continue my writing and complete my novels and a new travel website that will be less about my personal journey and more about providing the tools and advice needed to make your own travel aspirations a reality. I am hoping to launch the site early next year. Writing is what I am most passionate about, so hopefully I can make a career out of it eventually.
For the time being, or at least until my next friend gets married down here on November 30th, I will be staying in Orlando, which is excellent because I am a big fan of the weather down here this time of year, and I have been missing my friends here terribly. Thankfully, my friends have offered me a place to stay so I don't have to worry too much about expenses aside from my car. If nothing comes my way by the holidays I will likely be moving back to New Jersey for a little while to put aside some money and start paying off my traveling debts.
So that is where I am at the moment. This is the reality. You don't always go on a trip like mine and come back all enlightened and everything just falls into place. I do feel recharged with a new perspective on the world and my place in it, and that is enough to get me to the step in this thing called life. I'll just keep plugging along and see where life takes me. I'll continue to post from time to time when its relevant. Thanks to everyone who has followed throughout my journey and up to this point. It has been a fun ride, and I have definitely been bitten by the travel bug so there will be more adventures to come.