I know that I've been terribly difficult to get ahold of these past few months, and to anyone who's tried and been unsuccessful, I apologize. New York has been an experience more fruitful than I imagined, but it's also taken quite a different course than I expected.
As most people who are bothering to read this already know, I decided almost two weeks ago to quit my job. I decided on Monday evening, and I quit Tuesday morning; so while it was something that had been on my mind, it wasn't a process that I dragged out over a few weeks. (Indeed, that would have been difficult considering I only worked there for 30 days.) It was towards the end of bootcamp; I was two days away from completing training, and the hours would have become a lot better after that. And I didn't quit for any one, obvious reason. I got along great with my coworkers and I was doing well, in terms of meeting my boss's expectations. I had already learned a lot from bootcamp, and I know I would have learned a lot in the future, particularly about business, consulting, working with people, giving presentations, etc. I would have left the company an extremely marketable individual with a variety of practical skills.
Still, I just couldn't imagine myself at the company for the next couple of years, not even the next few months. It just didn't feel right. Partly because of lifestyle, and the things (balance) that I value. And other things, Berkeley things. Not enough recycling, too much air conditioning, and the health of my pinky toes. If that makes any sense.. Well, if you saw my toes, it would.
In any case, I know I should probably provide a better explanation here, but that's assuming I have one to offer. All I know is that I definitely made the right decision (I think..), and while I'm not sure what my next endeavor will be, I'm hoping I'll find a job that is more in line with my interests. I'm probably expecting too much, but if there is ever a time to be impractical and poor and the chaser of foolish dreams, it's probably my twenties.
My current plans, at least, are interesting. Raj will (hopefully) be doing a post-doc in Rio, and I'm going to go with him. By a stroke of luck, the non-profit for which I interned last summer has an office close to where he will be, so I am hoping to work there for part of my time, and spend the rest of my time studying and exploring.
I haven't been up to anything particularly exciting since I quit. I've read voraciously (thank you, nypl) and gone to MOMA. I've lugged my belongings to yet another apartment. I've also had the chance to travel along the East Coast a bit.
This past weekend, I headed down to DC to see our friend's baby, Thara, the most adorable child ever. Here are a couple of pictures.
She didn't do much besides eat and sleep and occasionally stick out her tongue at us. It was amazing, though, all of it. I've never spent so much time with a newborn before.
Currently, I'm sitting in my sister's apartment in Hershey, catching up on email and the rest of my internet-related life. Tomorrow morning I head back to New York. I have a part-time job right now, and Raj is there for a bit, so my days are passing pleasantly. I also have to repack my suitcases (yet again) since I'm moving (yet again), so that will keep me busy. I can't believe I've been living out suitcases since June.
I'm probably going to be in New York until mid-September, at which point I'm heading back to California for a few weeks and then heading to Brazil. So, to everyone with whom I made tentative New York plans, it's not too late! Even though there's a bit of time pressure now.
As someone who was impractical and poor and chased foolish dreams in his twenties, despite also having the wherewithal to do otherwise, I can honestly say that a corporate job looks pretty good to me right about now. Too bad we can't switch places. I only say that because then I'd be sleeping with Raj, of course.
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