This story caught my eye recently:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070626/ap_on_en_ot/britain_royal_footprint
The story is about Prince Charles reducing his carbon foot print by 9% last year - that is amazing! He still flies around on private jets (I mean he is still the heir apparent for the crown of England), but he offsets that by donating around $60,000 per year to an organization that plants trees. Reducing my footprint figured heavily in my reasons to move to Ireland. It is a lot easier here, with our tiny fuel efficient car, small refrigerator and all. We recently rented An Inconvenient Truth, so this subject has been on my mind. The European perspective on the issue falls squarely on "global warming is a fact". But as far as the people we've met, it doesn't seem to be a major concern.
As far as what else we've been up to, hubby posted a very newsy entry - check Slim's Speakeasy.
My focus continues to be what I'm going to do when I grow up. I feel much like I did upon graduating college. Everyone was congratulating me and saying how great it was, but all I was thinking was aaakkkk! I had been a student since my earliest memories and now what was I? Who was I? What was I supposed to do next? It was a scary time as much as an exciting time. It isn't quite as scary now - no student loans looming - but similar in that I'm being told to enjoy this time and think about what I want to do, but what I want to do is go to work! I don't have some childhood dream of wanting to be anything (except maybe architect, but not something that I could just jump into at this point, besides I'd have to take lots of math, yuck). I enjoyed marketing and would be happy continuing in it, but there are probably other things I would enjoy too, just haven't hit upon them yet. I'm not quite in the same "world is my oyster" position either. Waterford is small and infrastructure, well let's just say that transportation within Ireland has some challenges. And further education - our college is currently working on university status. The question isn't so much what could I do, as what could I do here?
Yes, I do feel gratitude that I get to have this "problem" in a whole new country. And know that things will work out, just the day to day tedium of applying, getting rejected and looking gets to me once in a while.
So, my question for you is, how did you find your life's work?
For those wondering about the 4th of July in Ireland, there was some acknowledgement. Our supermarket had a special on donuts (with a big display referring to the holiday, interesting, US = donuts, hmmm), the canteen at Slim's office served burgers and hot dogs, and a few people wished him "Happy Independence Day". I heard a British TV show referring to it as Independence Day also and thought that was odd - shouldn't they call it or "Rebellion Day" or something? At our house, there was a Happy 4th of July sign (made by me, very fancy :)), Slim's Philadelphia skyline blanket was hung up and we grilled burgers accompanied by freedom fries (just for today, normally they are called chips) and Sam Adams beer. All was finished off by chocolate chip mint ice cream. We also got a call from Ma & Pa (from Tennessee) who were enjoying their local parade.
Time to get back to the job hunt... ;)
Happy 5th of July!
2 comments:
Hi Polly,
I'm finally get back into checking these out again. Glad to hear all is well and that your stuff arrived mostly safe and that Pixie is settling in well.
You asked a question and I kinda have an answer regarding "life's work."
It's a train of events I suppose.
1) Parents give me a camera.
2) We have cats my whole life and I love to take pictures of them.
3) We traveled a lot and when I was pretty young.
4) I make friends pretty easily.
5) Get back from Australia - need money and get job at Gray Line.
6) Move up the chain such as it was.
7) Get a call from Ed Harmon - move to Princess. Opening in HR, move to it.
8) Still taking pictures. Opportunity to take classes. Went for it.
9) Get new job offer from Cool Works - opportunity to work from home, flexible hours, can take more pictures, learn web design/html.
10) My first photo show is next Friday the 13th at the UWMC. Got another opportunity for showing off cat pics later this summer at the vet near our house. :)
Moral: It's a bit of stumbling, a bit of opportunities taken, opportunities given, and a bit of luck. You're in Ireland...I'm sure you'll come up with something cool to do.
What did you like to do as a kid? That stuff really matters and should not be ignored.
Miss you guys! Hi to Slim.
Hugs,
Kari (Q)
PK, about my choice of career - I think you know I sort of fell into it! It was alternative service from Vietnam service which was a logical alternative. I went back to WWU for Human Services degree at night and 30 some years later. Ta Dah! Not much help I'm afraid. Now am having a heck of a time getting mind right to use my TESOL degree Teaching English to Students of Other Languages. I like doing what I want to do too much. Have one more week in Brazil. Love Daddy Mike
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