Hello there.
I’m back! I think I’m back, anyway. I want to be. I miss blogging. I won’t bother trying to explain why I have been away because, truth is, I’m not completely sure. It’s been a tumultuous few years. Not BAD, just up-and-down. To me, it feels like there have been more downs than ups, but that’s just because I am my own worst critic.
I just got back from an unplanned vacation. I mean “unplanned” in the most literal sense of the term. I’d been thinking about taking a trip, because I REALLY needed some time to decompress, but my work schedule was making it difficult, plus I had some impending personal commitments.
For me, thinking about taking a trip is a definite precursor to the actual planning of said trip. The first step is always deciding where to go. I mean, it’s a big world. I knew I’d be traveling on two wheels, so the distance was somewhat limited since I don’t like to ride too far in a short period of time. Unlike that Hubby of mine who recently got back from a ride to ALASKA, but that’s a whole ‘nother story.
There are some places I’d been considering, mostly because I’d never been, such as Nova Scotia and the Upper Peninsula (UP) of Michigan. I’ve never ridden my motorcycle in Canada either and would like to see Toronto and Montreal. I finally scheduled some vacation time from the job, but hadn’t decided whether I would go to one or all of those places. And then life threw me a curveball.
On June 7, I got laid off. WTF, right? I’d sort of been expecting it–business had been really slow– but it was still a shock when it actually happened. I didn’t really expect that I would be the one to get cut, even though it’s happened to me before. Anyway, long story short, I am unemployed. That’s the end of that extremely stressful job!
It happened just before noon on a Thursday, so I had the whole afternoon to mull it over. Hubby had actually gone into his office that day, so he didn’t have to listen to me venting. Instead, I just kept my mouth shut and took Belle for a couple of very long walks.
I finally told Mike after his work day had ended. Later, after he’d had a chance for the news to sink in, he suggested I take a vacation. Real practical, right? I had been thinking that, but never would have suggested it. He knew I’d never suggest it, so he did.
That night and the next morning, I gave it some thought. All real vacation plans were probably out the window and, like he said, once I start a new job, it’ll be a while before I get any real time off, so why not?
It really was not practical, but was sorely needed, so I did it. It was wonderful. I threw some clothes together, grabbed some maps, and off I went. I thought I might finally visit Spruce Knob, the highest point in West Virginia, but had no plan beyond that. Heck, I even took my passport just in case I did head north.
Now I just have to figure out what’s next. That’s the “beginning” I refer to in this post’s title. A new beginning. A fresh start. There are so many possibilities!
Thanks for checking-in on me. I hope you see you again real soon.
You know what they say about one door closing… the next one will show itself when you’re ready. Take a vacay, get a new perspective, and things will fall into place. Go exploring, there is more than work out there 😉
Exactly, Sonja. I am really trying to look at this whole situation as an opportunity. Being without income is scary, though. My last job sort of fell in my lap. This time, I will be more-selective. I loved the company and people, but did learn some lessons along the way. Thanks for still tuning in.
Alaska! On the red Victory? One passed us on the Alaska Highway and I pointed it out to Bridget as looking just like Mike’s.
Laid off, huh? Sounds like a good reason for a bike trip.
Yep, but he “only” rode to Hyder, so that wasn’t him you saw. At least I don’t think it was. LOL.
Being laid off is a great reason for a bike trip. There are so many emotions that go along with being laid off, especially since this is the second job in a row where I’ve been deemed not worth holding onto. 🙁
Nice to have you back, and glad your hubby was so smart. New and better opportunities will turn up! X
Thanks, Annelies! What I’d really love is to find a job with a pharma company or CRO in Belgium, the Netherlands, or Germany, that would want me to visit headquarters a couple of times each year. Maybe even Switzerland, Northern Italy, or Austria. One can dream…
Absence from blogging is a drag.
BUT the good thing is that the cure is super simple. You just take it up again and pray for forgiveness.
I have been a terrible blogger of late. I finally put the thing that was a wall between me and my blog, and anything that was remotely fun, behind me yesterday.
We’ll see if I can get back into the swing of sharing my madness online again.
If only blogging would pay as well as a stress-laden job. Maybe we should send that thought over the ether and cross our fingers.
Here’s hoping that the next two years are so pleasant that they balance the books on the last two.
David, your statements about the cure and forgiveness are so true! I am already hopeful, seeing as how I actually had people read that first post.
I am glad you put that thing behind you, sounds like an ugly obstacle. I am optimistic that the future will be much brighter. I have learned important lessons over the last few years, personal and professional, that I believe will help immensely.
So glad to see you back! I enjoyed your pics from the road and I am so happy that Mike made the suggestion for you to ride! It cures all ills, or so I’ve heard! 😉
Good vibes for your next career step, whatever it may be. Hugs, Lynne
Thanks, Lynne. The ride helped exorcise a lot of negativity. It was very freeing. Hugs back at you!
I am glad you took the vacation before the next job starts. I know how it is not to have any vacation time for at least 6 months…..
Hopefully you will find a job you like and want soon. At least you are off during the nice weather. Think of the silver lining.
Hugs.
I am glad I did, too. I needed it. I’m hopeful I can negotiate time off in September when I find a new job because we are supposed to be going to Hawaii this year to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Although whether or not we can afford it will depend on how long I remain jobless. It’s nice having sort of free time, but I always forget that looking for a job requires almost as much time as actually having a job. Sigh…