Career Pivot Celebration Wrap Up

” I regret spending money on that epic life changing trip  … said no one ever”

A quote shared with me by a fellow passionate traveler.   I know travel is not for everyone,  some can’t  for physical reasons,  some prioritize other things in life,  some simply are content where they reside,   some think flying is not their thing and others don’t enjoy the movement of the ship on the water.   There is  no right or wrong with any of those thoughts.  But for me,  seeing the world , pushing my comfort zone culturally or gastronomically ,  meeting new people and having new stories to tell are my passion.

While walking along Waikiki Blvd,  a sign caught my attention.  Hawaiian Christmas Store —>   so I had to follow the arrow.   In the shop were ornaments and decor made from all things Hawaiian.   Customized free was plastered all over.  Hum…. what to get to ?  I did not order anything the first time,  but went back later and picked the one above out.  When the clerk said ” how do you want it customized?'”  I wrote out the above.  A chronological  list of countries, island and states.    Figure that is about as custom as you can come up with.

I have been home 4 weeks and in that time the 3000 plus pics have been reduced to less than 800. Those were sorted , printed , put in albums and labeled.   My great friends have thrown me a total surprise retirement party.  Their cover story was believable enough that I showed up with a b-day card for guy I thought was joining me in the double nickel club.    Twenty six chapters of the trip has been blogged for your enjoyment.   The attic has been purged so that instead of barely passable 1ft path has been replaced with a 3 feet wide one.   Outside yard work has been sporadic,  to be honest I  only enjoy it when I do not have to bundle up.

My car knows the way to my investment advisor Marc’s office 2 towns over.   Got the paper work rolling to get some cash flowing in and not just out.

As to my next career determination?    One walk in off the street and let them know I am interested and so they have my name  at the visitor’s bureau of Dekalb county has been done.   In my stateside travels I have found out that such places are a wealth of info, and each attendant has really enjoyed meeting and helping people from all over.   I think I would enjoy doing that.   Other than that still contemplating what next.   I told one friend that I want to just walk in and have them hire me for my good looks.  The resume’ writing thing is dreaded.

So far have not climbed the walls.   It has been a good mix of solo time and hanging out with old and new friends and family.    I enjoy cooking and now that I do not feel the need to escape work everyday for lunch my food budget has shifted to far cheaper eating what  I cooked rather than letting others cook for and serve me.    But if I end up waiting tables for a part time job, something I think I would enjoy, I hope not too many people around here cut back on eating out as much as I have.

The most common question I now get is ” where to next?”  to be honest this is the first time in many years that I have not been contemplating where next on the map  even before leaving for the current trip.    So the answer is ” I do not know”   A couple of possibilities rolling around in my mind might involve travel as part of the job.  So my future employer might be the one to determine where to next.   Since I am open to going most anywhere that bullets aren’t flying and bombs aren’t dropping  or where crazy dictators like to make American tourists an international incident,  I would be fine with going most anywhere.

I hope you have enjoyed my rambling carry on sentence style of relating my journeys.   If so please leave some feedback via this webiste below

Kevin aka noodengr