Choose life. Choose a career.

I've been rather blog-quiet recently.  Mainly due to my move back to the homeland last September. 

After months and months of testing and interviewing, I’ve finally landed myself a proper job here in my home state of Colorado.  Considering what I’ve done for the past 10 years (moving overseas four times to foreign countries with no friends or contacts), it terrifies the shit out of me to feel like I’m “settling” down at home.  It’s as ridiculous as it sounds. 

One would think it would be more terrifying to move to a foreign country, two of those countries were non-English speaking, not knowing a soul, not much money in your pocket, no place to live besides the initial hostel or two.  It’s not terrifying.  That’s what I thrive in.  It’s what I know I’m good at.  I don’t know how or why, but I can create a life out of nothing in a place I’ve never been.  And I love that about myself.  I love letting my world grow.  Until now, I don’t think I’ve ever given myself much credit for that.  I would say 99% of the friends I made in school (before traveling) have said they could never do what I’ve done.  Funnily enough, I’ve always felt that way about their situations…I could never see myself settling down – getting married, buying a house, raising kids.  No offense to any of you that live that kind of life, but the “settling down” life has always bored the living hell out of me.  There’s nothing wrong with settling down, it’s just never been my style.  But here I am now…starting that process by getting a *real job, buying furniture, renting a house (albeit an adorable house).  I’m terrified, apprehensive, anxious, and the nomad in me is saying “Kaycee, what the FUCK are you doing?!  There’s so much more world to see and experience!” 

After living in Thailand and Korea, I definitely needed a break from the expat life.  I’ve been home for about five months now (and kind of thinking that’s all the break I needed since it was during the entire **2014 football season), but I need to give another form of lifestyle a go before I make any rash decisions (by “rash”, I mean throw all of my newly bought furniture on the sidewalk, up for grabs to anyone who passes by, allowing me to bugger off the States and just country hop for the rest of my life).  I’m giving myself 2-3 years to figure out this life-settling business.  If I find it’s not for me, then you can bet your buttons that I’m gone for good.  Half of me wants that.  Half of me wants the settling.  It’s internally brutal, make no mistake about that! 

During those 2-3 years, I’m focusing on getting out of debt and more importantly (ha!), training for Kilimanjaro.  It’s going to be challenging as hell trying to climb a mountain with a fused ankle, but I’ve now realized more people with far worse disabilities haven’t let their disability alter their dream.  If they can follow their challenging dreams, I can too.  It’s going to take a lot to get there, but my goal is for a December 2016 summit. 

 Although I’m settling down, I still consider myself an Expat Tribe member…just on sabbatical leave ;) Which probably isn’t the best way to start off the “settling” lifestyle – I’m not giving it a real chance from the get-go…however, you can take the girl out of the nomad life, but you can’t take the nomad life out of the girl.

So “settling”, here goes nothing!

Happy Trails!

*When I say “real” job, I mean a job that can turn into a career…proper benefits, retirement, all those cookies. 

** If I could be an expat between February – August every year (which means I’m home for Bronco season), that would be just perfect.  Seriously perfect.