It’s been almost two years since I have found myself ready to jump back into the blogosphere after my unexpected and hasty departure from Mali and the Peace Corps. There was a coup d'état in Mali in March of 2012 that resulted in the evacuation of all US citizens – which included all 180 Peace Corps Volunteers. After the initial coup – which you can read more about on the Wikipedia page - all volunteers were told to consolidate in our local capitals and wait out the decision from the US government about our future within Mali. Two weeks later we were in Accra, Ghana completing our Peace Corps ‘Transition Conference’; working on resumes, interview skills, and sitting in counseling sessions. Not a small change and not an easy time emotionally for any of us.
It took about 3 months for reality to sink in that that part of my life had finished and a new chapter needed to begin. I spent that time traveling around the US visiting family, friends, and lots of RPCVs who I could talk to about the crazy change that just happened in our lives! I wanted to find a city that felt right. A place I could push myself in new ways and feel at home and hopefully a place I could be close to nature. My list of visits included: New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Washington DC, Atlantic City, Portland, Seattle, and the two that ended up being my favorites – Denver and Baltimore. My friends and family graciously took me around to the non-touristy parts of each town so I could try – in very limited time – to get a feel for what living there would be like. In the end, Denver felt right! I moved out in August 2012 without a job or a place to call my own, but a place to stay for a month or two with family who held out open arms and provided great advice :)
I’ve been here for a year and a half now, and it feels pretty awesome. I have wonderful people around me, made some fantastic new friends, have the greatest roommates, coolest house (its also literally super cold since its ancient), and get to visit the mountains on a near weekly basis. I have found a few places that my volunteer time feels productive and inspiring, and have been working as a Community Engagement Coordinator for a little over a year now. Things are better than I would have expected after just picking up and moving while hoping for the best! There are still so many places to explore, things to do, and people to experience life with here, hence my return to my blog. My 29th birthday is coming this month and that has led to my decision to create a list of 30 things to do in my life before I enter my 4th decade in this crazy world of ours! Time to take life by the horns (once again) and get some things done that I have been wanting to do for a while…
It took about 3 months for reality to sink in that that part of my life had finished and a new chapter needed to begin. I spent that time traveling around the US visiting family, friends, and lots of RPCVs who I could talk to about the crazy change that just happened in our lives! I wanted to find a city that felt right. A place I could push myself in new ways and feel at home and hopefully a place I could be close to nature. My list of visits included: New York City, Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Washington DC, Atlantic City, Portland, Seattle, and the two that ended up being my favorites – Denver and Baltimore. My friends and family graciously took me around to the non-touristy parts of each town so I could try – in very limited time – to get a feel for what living there would be like. In the end, Denver felt right! I moved out in August 2012 without a job or a place to call my own, but a place to stay for a month or two with family who held out open arms and provided great advice :)
I’ve been here for a year and a half now, and it feels pretty awesome. I have wonderful people around me, made some fantastic new friends, have the greatest roommates, coolest house (its also literally super cold since its ancient), and get to visit the mountains on a near weekly basis. I have found a few places that my volunteer time feels productive and inspiring, and have been working as a Community Engagement Coordinator for a little over a year now. Things are better than I would have expected after just picking up and moving while hoping for the best! There are still so many places to explore, things to do, and people to experience life with here, hence my return to my blog. My 29th birthday is coming this month and that has led to my decision to create a list of 30 things to do in my life before I enter my 4th decade in this crazy world of ours! Time to take life by the horns (once again) and get some things done that I have been wanting to do for a while…
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