17 July 2013

Jeeeez...

 
I did something so stupid. On a whim (this isn't the stupid bit) I applied for an events and marketing coordinator job in  Little Zoo in Eureka California.

And, to my surprise they got back to me and said they were very interested in interviewing me as I had some great qualifications. Here was an opportunity to work for a zoo! doing events and marketing -which I am as good at as any of my other dubious skills.

They asked me to fly to Eureka for an interview next week - what did I say....No...

I don't even know whats going on in my head - the cost was definitely a factor, flights were £1,500 and if I were to get the job I would have to forgo my holidays to Chicago and the Amazon. Would it all be worth it for a green card? I just don't know. I was scared I panicked and I turned down an amazing opportunity. Shit.

I feel like an idiot for turning down this opportunity but also very aware now that I need to really sit down and think about what I want. So far I have these ideas:
  • I love my friends and family - Eureka is a 20 hour plane journey away - is that just too far for me?
(Washington, Boston, Miami are all nearer the 8 Hour mark - and flights are a more reasonable £600, although I'm also very aware that Eureka were interested in me BECAUSE its such a small town zoo - I have to start somewhere)
  • Whats the alternative? Staying at the university - I admit I love it here - Its summer right now and the campus is a delight, and I'm enjoying the city as much as ever.
  • Would I regret it if I ended up here? yes, I think I would, I would love to come back to Bath, and and safe in the knowledge I always could. But to find myself 40 and still working at the university? I think I would regret not tyring other things
  • and perhaps most importantly: Animals! I totally lose sight of this plan to work with animals sometimes.
  • I wasn't prepared to spend that kind of money and give up my holidays - as I know the opportunity, especially to go to the Amazon may never come up again. So I may have turned down one opportunity but I still have these (admittedly shorter term) things to look forward to.
  • I was shaken because I've really hit my stride here in Bath -and although I like to dream of these big adventures in faraway places -I'm now more aware that perhaps, I'm happy here, should I just be content with that?
So in the the spirit of looking at the positives and not feeling like a complete idiot. Here is my action plan
  • Apply for more events+marketing jobs, only the ones involved with animals - but think more about the area I'm going to, if I'd really be willing to live there.
  • The Eureka job is open until filled - if it is still being advertised after my Amazon trip I will reapply
  • Put some money aside for interviews in case I have to fly somewhere to do so.
  • Basically stop f**king around, I've been here in Bath nearly 3 years now, and only had a handful of animal based jobs interviews.
So thats it, if you were offered a great opportunity so far from home, would you take it? should you take it?

I know what Mark Twain would say... I need to get out of my safe harbour, before I get stuck.




XXX

10 July 2013

10 Reasons....

Ooh another list! this time of the virtues of running 10 miles. As you know my half marathon training is well underway - and most weekends I run the 10 mile circuit along the Kennet and Avon canal to Dundas Aqueduct - I have yet to do it completely unbroken, but am getting awful close.

Here's and interesting article on 10 Reasons to run 10 miles

XXX

9 July 2013

Top Ten

Well you know of course, I love a list! and on the travel theme that I'm currently rocking

Conde Naste Traveller Magazine have predicted the top 10 hottest new travel destinations for 2013

In no particular order:
  1. Brazil
  2. Philippines
  3. Amsterdam
  4. The Congo
  5. The Galapagos Islands
  6. Kashmir
  7. Mayan Riviera, Mexico
  8. New Zealand
  9. Panama
  10. Oman
Well, I've been to Amsterdam twice now and confirm it is charming and lovely despite the drugs and prostitutes.

So my favourite of these options for a future adventure? I found an adorable poster for it!
(Though I would also be very interested in Mexico, Panama, New Zealand and Kashmir)



You can see the details of the list Here
Happy Travels!

XXX


8 July 2013

WishList



I'm having a fine time searching for the best things to buy for my trip to the Amazon many actually from Amazon.co.uk, oh the irony! I've already got a few little bits including Riemann P20 once a day sun screen and mossy repellent with Deet.

I also adore, in addition to guide books, to seek out books set in the places I'm going to. I had fun trying to find books set in the Amazon - I've bought The Mapmaker's Wife: A True Tale Of Love, Murder And Survival In The Amazon. There were very few fiction books set in the area -although funnily enough I already owned and read State of Wonder which is set in the Brazilian side of the amazon jungle, I also found The Sunflower -which has an incredibly dowdy cover but I'm willing to get a cheapo copy and give it a go.

I also came across this The Wish List I'm not even sure how (very possible Amazon has spied into my personal data and knows I'm a compulsive list maker about to turn 30!) but how could I not buy it from this synopsis:

"There are six months left of Emma Reiss's twenties...and she has some unfinished business. Emma and her friends are about to turn thirty, and for Emma it's a defining moment. Defined, that is, by her having achieved none of the things she'd imagined she would. Her career is all wrong, her love life is a desert and that penthouse apartment she pictured herself in simply never materialised. Moreover, she's never jumped out of a plane, hasn't met the man she's going to marry, has never slept under the stars, or snogged anyone famous - just some of the aspirations on a list she and her friends compiled fifteen years ago. As an endless round of birthday parties sees Emma hurtle towards her own thirtieth, she sets about addressing these issues. But, as she discovers with hilarious consequences, some of them are trickier to tick off than she'd thought…"

Well, I have less than 4 months to go until my 30th, and whilst most of my goals aren't deadlined - I did speculate a few I would like to have done Here when you boil them down they are the usual really - basically meet career, financial, spiritual, health and romantic goals, so complete life sorted basically! Anyway I'll read this book and report back on how it stacks up to my own 'turning 30' experiences




And lastly on the subject of lists and turning 30 - The Huffington Post gives us 30 things every woman should have and should know by the time she is 30....



XXX