Monday, November 30, 2015

Update with an Anniversary of the Palsy

It’s been a year and 4 months of obnoxious over sharing on the Facebook. Thank you for sticking with me, as I seemed to have built a “presence,” as a friend put it. 

A quick reference for those new friends:

I started a blog to “come out” of religion as I grew up with very strong religious beliefs then one day I got sick then got Bell’s Palsy, one year ago exact today (why my face is fucked up now with the lazy eye and weird smile). I used this time to reflect and pray to God to help me heal and give me strength through this hard time. I also used to work a lot, like a lot a lot and I think it was the stress that got to me. I took this as a sign that I needed some time off, during this time, I stumbled upon a documentary that inspired me to think critically and eventually after research, I thought for myself for the first time and formed my own belief. This new belief, to my surprise, did not include god. I very much felt the rug being pulled underneath me and I started writing my thoughts as I noticed myself transforming and incorporating new beliefs without God in my daily life. I felt it necessary as I found it therapeutic to do. I did feel sincere heartbreak breaking up with God.

Over time, my blog became a great source to communicate to the masses as I traveled and moved around often. I’ve met a ton of new people and I got the chance to visit old friends, and would visit family – they would always ask, “What are you up to now?” Tired of repeating the same thing over and over, I added my new adventures and updates to my blog.

Since my last post, one year and 5 months ago, I sort of stopped, as I didn’t have time in between school, working 3.5 jobs, traveling and going on more adventures. I decided to use Facebook as a means of mass communication, which has worked immensely. I know this as I run into friends and they say, “I would ask how you’re doing, but it feels like we hang out every day.” This was the very thing I was striving for. At times I felt it was a bit much as I can be quite ridiculous however, instead of sitting down to write about it, I expressed it via the interwebs of the FB. Thank you for putting up with them (if you’re still connected). I’ve also noticed since I get the “Memories” notification how many people have deleted me. It’s quite entertaining.  

So how do I sum up one year and 4 months of updates that are aside the FB? Last two posts were an anniversary for Abby, and me, which I just visited her in Minnesota. I NEVER thought I’d ever go to Minnesota by the way. I remember making fun of my buddy when we met in Alaska thinking what the heck is out in Gaylord, Minnesota?? I also completed Erica’s Revolution phase 1. Wow, it feels like an accomplishment as I never thought I’d see the day.

Here’s what Phase 1 consisted of: I gave up a comfortable life in Portland to start over and create a new career, to complete a degree in Psychology and Outdoor Adventure Leadership. I can’t believe one day sitting in my office in Portland and saying, “eff this.” Going through action planning of corporate strategy of how to get scores higher, how to motivate a staff, manage a department, deal with the micro-manger breathing down my back and have lived more than I have ever lived before all within the last 2 years and also learned more about effective leadership in the outdoors than I ever did in a corporate meeting. For the record, I am very thankful for my working experience in Portland as it has trained me on business development, resort management, etc.

Ironically, I can’t wait to get back in what I was just complaining about above. I have a love for Organizational/Industrial Psych. I have worked up my resume to get as involved as I can in leadership, education and curriculum development with a bit of research. I love getting paid to think and be creative. I love working outside and spending time creating ways to do an old job like new. Guiding and leading trips is what I have been up to while in school, and it has been the greatest learning experience.

I have spent one of the best summers of my life traveling and guiding. I completed my final 3 credits of college by going on a NOLS course for 21-days in Southern Utah, I’ll have to write another blog about that – what a trip! I was hired with a Colorado company called Big City Mountaineers but between completing my degree, research, presenting at UCLA and getting ready for Utah, they wanted me the day I got out of the canyons of Utah. I don’t think I was ready to see myself leave onto a job after this and wanted a break. So when I did get back to Tahoe my man friend took me to India for two weeks. I am incredibly thankful for this trip as well and will share my thoughts on a different post as well.

After India, I figured I should get a job and started looking any and everywhere including China. I interviewed for a position but during my travels and the hiring manager’s schedule we dwindled off on communication. I also wasn’t ready to pick up and leave quite yet either. Not sure what is holding me back, perhaps fear and attachment to the man friend? Nonetheless my summer grew busy creating curriculum for camps, instructing, and guiding on the river. I applied for a friend’s job at Northstar, which is a ski resort in Truckee, CA. I always thought that would be the best job – it’s seasonal, resume worthy and get to help out employees rather than awkward clients. It worked out as I am now working this very position in Human Resources and I love it.

It’s quite hilarious coming from a corporate background to drinking a beer in the morning as you stumble out of your tent and hearing swear words 24/7, yelling at people and telling raunchy jokes back to working in HR.


Things I would say are pretty good. I see myself getting comfortable which makes me feel uncomfortable so I am ready for a change here soon.

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