You'll see the sun again: Looking behind and looking ahead

It has been an insanely busy month for Kelly and I- this is the first weekend this entire month that I HAVEN'T had something to do or somewhere to go!  I'm writing from a different view today: my bedroom.  I usually write in my living room or at BC&T.  But you know what? Sometimes you just have to stretch out on your bed, snoozing kitties and a lit candle nearby, with some Dido playing. And in lieu of this insanely busy month, I finally have some time to carve out to just write and...think: think on all that has happened this year.  I really, truly, honestly, do not want this year to end.

Last year, 2013, was one of the worst years of my life.  That isn't an exaggeration!  I won't get into the details, but it was pretty terrible: losing my grandpa, family troubles, a friendship that fell apart, constant stress at work.  I remember this time last year I was just praying to God something along the lines of "Please, PLEASE, just let 2014 be better than this year!"  I am so thankful that God answers prayer, because I am so undeserving of all the wonderful things that have happened!  When I turned 24 in April, I wrote something cheeky on my Facebook to note the day, and someone left me a comment that said "24 was the absolute best year of my life."  I still have a lot of life left to live, Lord willing, but I'm going to safely bet that 2014 will be a hard year to top!  One of the definitive highlights of this year, out of many, is the work that I'm doing now.  

Earlier this year, I was still working for UK, and while I had some incredible co-workers and many good days, and for the most part enjoyed what I did, at times I was still feeling that "itch" that something else was out there.  This is why I kept periodically looking for other jobs from time to time, although I kept it quiet.  Everyone did know, however, that my dream was to work for Berea College; it had given me so much and I wanted to give back too.  I'll spare the rest of the story, because by May I was feeling unbearably defeated and just so tired of working for a supervisor that I couldn't seem to please.  My confidence was at rock-bottom.  After my less-than-encouraging mid year review (although it still went much better than I anticipated), among many other factors that sort of culminated and built, I just knew I had to get out.  That one random slow day in July is when I found out about this opportunity, this VISTA thing with somewhere called Grow Appalachia.  I self-educated myself on Grow for about half an hour via their website and Facebook page, and I was completely sold, hook, line and sinker!   Everything that happened after that was really fast: within 24 hours of sending in my information I had a phone call setting up an interview, two weeks after that I had my interview, and two days later I had the offer and less than four hours to make a decision!  I consulted my family and my team, and by the end of the day I was walking into my supervisor's office handing in my letter of resignation from the university.  That was in the beginning of August, and by the end of the month I was boarding a plane to Atlanta to begin my VISTA orientation!  I walked away from full benefits, almost $15/hour, and approximately 2 hours round trip of commuting, into no benefits, A LOT less than $15/hour when it's all said and done, and approximately 20 minutes round trip of commuting (by foot!).  And I have absolutely no regrets.  Let me end this tirade with this: I have no ill-will towards UK and the biology department whatsoever.  UK is a fine institution to be employed at and the familial bonds and closeness I had with my co-workers is what made the hard days worth it.  It's just, at the end of the day, I had to do what was best for me, and for a while there that was it...and then it gradually got to a point where it wasn't. And that's just how things work sometimes.  

I wish I could describe how much happier I am now.  I gush on and on so much that I fear I'm turning into a broken record and my Facebook friends may be getting annoyed with me.  I'm currently one week into a 2 week holiday break, and while I'm still relishing in the rest and relaxation of it all, a small part of me is ready to dive into 2015 and start swimming to see where the Grow Appalachia waters will take me!  There are a few personal adventures that will be occurring in 2015, including hitting the quarter century mark, and the rest of which you're certain to hear about later.  But right now, professionally, I'm getting ready for 2015, working with my amazing team as we continue to try to make our part of the world just a little bit better.  We started planning before we broke for break, and while I can't say too much right now, change is definitely in the air!  I'm ready!  But until then...I'll continue to enjoy sleeping in and further breaking in my sweats! :)

I called this blog "Down to earth VISTA" (which is subject to change), partly because of a pun in regards to where I work, but mostly because that what I do keeps me grounded.  It reminds me that I am working for a greater cause, a cause that often times screams so loud but yet falls to us at just a mere whisper.  I know sometimes it's easy to get caught up in the "just work" or "it's just a job" trap.  I still fall into that even now.  Listen: What you do does matter, even if you don't see it!  (Hint: Some days, you won't!)  And I would even go one step beyond that and dare to recognize that we ought not be defined simply by what we do!  You are so much more than "just a job".  That will be one of my challenges now and into the new year, and I challenge you to adopt that mindset as well!  

I may or may not be back on before the new year, so regardless, enjoy your rest, your family and friends, and I hope you look behind at 2014 and into 2015 with peace in your mind and joy in your heart.  

And you probably don't want to hear tomorrow's another day

But I promise you you'll see the sun again

And you're asking me why pain's the only way to happiness

But I promise you you'll see the sun again