Abandoning the stability and security that a full time 9-5 job often provides as opposed to picking up and deciding to go traveling around the world and teach requires fearless determination and comfort in the unknown. Few are willing to risk their finances and well-anchored routines...
Last week, I had a crisis which was sparked by the fact that my wonderful job is searching for a full time employee for the fall. Having just graduated from Sarah Lawrence, it has been very nice to ease out of my college experience by working on campus throughout the summer. I have a wonderful job working as assistant to Dean Dodds, the Dean of the College at Sarah Lawrence. In addition, I also act as assistant to Associate Dean Mary Porter and Executive Assistant Barbara Hickey, so I wear many hats, as they say.
In a couple words, I absolutely love work! I have a beautiful air conditioned office that overlooks the north lawn and the swing set, hand-delivered personal packages from the post office, free lunches, and I get to make my own schedule. It is absolutely wonderful. I started thinking that maybe I should abandon my plans to go to France for the more comfortable full-time, 9-5pm position as assistant to Dean Dodds. I told Kristy who is the head secretary about my plans, “Absolutely not! You have to go to France. I’m not giving you the job.”
I guess that took care of that. I guess I have to go to France in some respects. What I came to realize is that despite the cold feet, the comfort in the routine and the familiar, I have to move to France to work as a primary school English teacher. I chose my path, and in doing so I am challenging my self on an entirely new level. I couldn’t be more excited. France here I come. Now if only I could tackle that nasty handbook which contains all the visa, work permit, housing and health insurance info. That will be my project for tomorrow!
I’m leaving you with Ann Patchett who is also a Sarah Lawrence alum! Her quote fits my state of confusion over the past week perfectly and can apply as sound advice to any grappling with situations like these that pepper our landscape. :D
“If you're trying to figure out what's coming next, turn off everything that has an 'off' switch and listen.”
-Ann Patchett
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