The Where

Lots of personal growth and adventures in 2012... An update for those who keep wondering where I'm at and what I'm doing, as it seems to change every month.


I moved to Ann Arbor in February after getting a temporary job at the Ypsilanti District Library through Backstage Library Works. I worked as a labeling technician which meant that I was putting RFID tags/stickers into 1500-1800 books per day, 40 hours per week. Needless to say, that was a bit monotonous but I learned what it was like to work full-time and how much of a difference a positive perspective makes in your attitude and those around you. Being able to stay with Jen and Jeremy Gump, the owners of J&J Stables where I volunteered as a groom, made it such an easy transition. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your family welcoming me into your home! I've met so many awesome people here and wish the timing was right to stay longer.

I'm moving to Peekskill, New York on April 16th. I'm going to be staying with the McDaid family at Ironbound Farm which is a 5 acre homestead. I will be working in the vegetable and herb garden, tending animals including goats, chickens, bees, and cows, participating in the wild crafting of maple sap, strawberries, and blueberries, crafts, and small building projects. I'm very passionate about sustainable living and aspire to have my own homestead someday so this will be a wonderful experience.

In mid-July I will be setting off to Maui, Hawaii to work as a personal assistant for a software developer. My duties will include cleaning, cooking, being an exercise and meditation partner, gardening, and office work. Since these are all things I'd be doing in my daily life anyway, I'm pretty psyched about doing them in paradise. Definitely looking forward to the laid-back culture of the islands.

Those who know me well know that I would have never embarked on any of these crazy adventures just a few short months ago due to generalized anxiety and panic disorder. After realizing just how much it was holding me back from relationships, a career, and my dreams, I made a conscious decision to change my perspective. Through meditation, mindfulness, and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques, I'm happy to say that it no longer affects my life in such significant ways. The whole world has opened up to me and I'm going to explore it all!