Move to the east coast

This will happen. I decided that my new target is to have it all neatly packaged by Jun. I realized that it’s better to stay at my job until after March . The winter spring is being filled with some conferences on the East Coast that I can go to with my current job. this will help we network. I’m going to try to do some interviewing/ informational interviewing while I’m back there.
Boston and mostly DC. DC is my target area.
Spring also is bringing some career resume boosting things. I was just asked to join the board of small non profit that does work with microlending in Kenya. tbey need an education person to run the scholarship and education part. (yea!) Also, I’m working with my parish to put on s large non profit networking event for agencies that work with people and families that are homeless.
Also there is an opportunity to be part of the early childhood advisory council at the zoo, which is one of the biggest zoos in the region.
All three are amazing opportunities that will sharpen my skills and give me experience.

In Feb I start to see a transition career counselor, which help me stratgize.

I also will start informational interviewing here. I’m building the seeds that will bloom soon.

Applied for a fellowship in DC. Yikes. We’ll see. I feel good about it. I made a move. It could really be good.

I’m wondering if things will open up for me because I’ve made a step.

I saw a long time friend last night that I was thinking about moving. It was ok, but made me so sad.

I am very connected here. I always bump into friends or aquaintances, even in this large city.

I do find peace knowing that this can be temporary. (10 years?)

I also need to go visit DC. I got a little freaked out when I realized that this could actually happen during my trip in April to phlly.

Ok, I finish the class (march) Hopefully we will have the federal review sometime in early March. Then I can take about a week off in April. I have take a trip back east for a familly party in Philly.

If I can I will fly into Philly and then take the train down to DC for the week, I’ll set up informational interviews or meeting or something, get a feel for the place. I can stay with a friend of mine and my aunt and uncle. Take a look around and try it imagining living there.

I kind of worry I won’t like it! but I’ve been there before and I do like it. I might be able to take my parents car instead so I can drive around as well,. (maybe).

I’ll head back up for the party and fly out.

That will give me a good sense of what needs to happen.

I feel better.

I’m becoming obsessed with this thought of moving which isn’t good. I’m not living inthe moment. I’m avoiding reality.

If we don’t have the federal review intime, I’ll have to take another trip before I actually move. I need to see the place.

I’ll definitely just spend the whole week in DC .

after church, I get in my car and just start driving east. I drive until I can’t drive any more, stop and get a hotel. and then get up and keep driving , repeat cycle.

I get to DC , find a job when I get there , OH yeah, I call work and say I quit.

action step…...

hhmmm.... I want to look up graduate programs,  look up agencies, and also consider getting some advice.

.....next meet with K. B. lived in DC last year.
....need to tell KD and family before I tell anyone else.
.....or do I get the job first? ....then tell people.

....Why is this so hard? I’m glad I’m in that class. that helps to be around that energy.

Idealy, what do I want and what do I need?

..I need a job that can support me. Ideally, that job is one that I am passionate about and excited. It’s step up and a money step up as well. The job works to my strengths of planning, digging up research, and organizing. It’s a job that pays me well. It’s a job that allows me to travel to interesting places, including abroad, yet allows me to find a home parish that is welcoming and liberal. preferrly Jesuit. I want to work in early childhood education, museum education or informal education, designing the exhibits or curriculum.

... I would need a place to live… I have relatives in the area I can stay with temporarily, but ideally, I would find a place pretty fast, that is near public transportation, the train, so i don’t have to worry about parking. My neighborhood has coffee shops, restaurants, there are some parks and green space as well.

.. there are museums nearby that I can wander and get lost in.

....The beach is relatively close… hour or two…. I can go to the beach if I’d like for the day.

....I can see my family onthe weekends. they are close enough so I can leave on Friday night , get there be there Saturday and most sunday, yet leave and be ready for work.

...there are single people around. I meet them at church and through work and book groups. and other stuff. They are smart, liberal and interesting.

.... I have enough money to feel comfortable in the city. I don’t have such a tight budget. I can go out to restaurants, plays and shows. I can pay my bills and still put money into saving.

.....I will drive cross country and stop in Spokane, then drive to stop in Glacier Nationl Park, stay in that hostel.. then down to Wyoming to visit E. D. , I will head toward by through the middle fo the country. Mt Rushmore?, then off toward ???? getting to DC. dropping my stuff off at the new apartment. I flew out there a few weeks ago and found a place. I unload, and sleep.

I want to leave today…. how can I do that? (smile)

I have to finish this class, stay for the review (or do I?) , get a job and leave.

....to record everything. I have such mixed emotions. I know this will get easier.

It was tough. After on the W. Coast for more than 2 decades, I’ve made the decsion to move back. I have a few things to do before… I have to finish my program , wait until the federal review is over and find a new job!
1. DC area
2. NYCity
3. Philadephia
4. Boston.

I say 6 months,  It's really scary in that I don't know that many people there, but my sister and my parents live in the NE.   

I was almost overwhelmed today, thinking about saying goodbye to my dear circle of friends , former coworkers, church friends, and everyone. So many memories out here, on every street , in every neighborhood. I had to stop and remember that I'm not leaving tomorrow. I still have a journey ahead of me.

It does break my heat to leave, but I really need to be closer to my parents for at least a few years.  I also want to explore the East coast as an adult.Last time lived there, I was 18.   

I decided I want to definitely live in a big city.