Happily Unemployed

April 27th, 2011 | 24 comments


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There were 5 things I accomplished in the past 3 years.

  1. Studied for my GMAT.
  2. Took my GMAT. Twice.
  3. Got accepted in to business school.
  4. Traveled to Istanbul, Honduras and Madrid.
  5. Magically managed to maintain this travel blog.

It’s not bad list considering I had 50 hour work weeks and was commuting almost 13 hours every week. But it’s not great either, especially since being happy didn’t make it on the list.

Here are 5 things I’ve accomplished while being unemployed for the past month and a half.

  1. Saw my family, whom I live with under the same roof, on a week day.
  2. Found time to volunteer.
  3. Slept more than 6 hours a night.
  4. Learned how to cook. (Sort of. It’s a work in progress. I make a mean bowl of oatmeal. Seriously.)
  5. Be happy.

So what am I doing now that I am no longer a slave to a monotonous 9-7?

I’m currently volunteering for Support For International Change (SIC). I haven’t been so gung-ho about a project since I graduated. Why you ask? Because it’s stuff that actually matters. At least to me it does. No offense but designer dresses and vapid TV shows just doesn’t cut it.

I rather spend my time convincing you to buy a Tuko Pamoja Bag to support Tanzanian women living with HIV/AIDS than telling you to tune into another mindless reality TV show.

What’s to come in the next few months?

I’m going to be getting my first apartment!!! I’ve been hunting for a place I can call home for the next two years. I’ll be moving down to DC for graduate school by mid-July (ideally). Kelsey aka Drifting Focus has given me some of the inside scoop on places to live in and around DC. She even showed me her HUGE apartment for a ridiculously low price (compared to NYC standards) via Skype.

What’s to come in the next two years?

Getting my MBA at Georgetown University. Woot! School is the one place I know where I will always be challenged and I haven’t been mentally challenged in a very long time so I’m definitely looking forward to packing my noodle with knowledge.

Cheers to a new path!

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  • http://www.MyBeautifulAdventures.com/ Andi Perullo

    I am so so so excited for you!!! You are totally on the right path in life, love it! :)

  • http://www.hecktictravels.com Peter Heck

    Cheers to a new path! It sounds like you have regained passion for what you are doing, and that’s awesome. Best of luck at Georgetown and your move to DC.

  • http://www.europeantravelista.com Debbie Beardsley

    Sounds like you were given the means to discover what you next journey should be and you took full advantage of it! Congrats on this and on your next journey in DC.

  • http://liferapture.com Benjamin Spall

    Commuting thirteen hours a week sounds terrible! I bet you got a lot of reading done though ;)

    Nice work on the oatmeal. Your next mission: making perfect cup of tea! You’ll be graded on texture, quality of the water, quality of the milk, duration of the tea bag remaining in the cup, and quality of your stirring.

    Moving out will change your life. I’ve not lived with my parents since I moved to University aged 18 (I’m now 23).

    I did miss a lot, for example my little brother was 12 when I moved out, now he’s coming up to 17 and I feel like I’ve missed most of his teenage years (probably for the best), but other than that it’s pretty much been ALL positive. Good luck ;) let me know how the tea goes.

  • http://travelerahoy.com Alouise

    Wow, it seems you were working at breakneck speed. I’m glad you’ve had a chance to slow down, and take your own happiness into consideration. Best of luck at Georgetown. I’m sure you’ll do amazing on your new path.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks! I’m really looking forward to going to grad school. My job didn’t give me the mental stimulation I needed but school never fails to challenge me.

  • Anonymous

    Absolutely! I usually caught up on the news during my morning commute but the evening commute was another story. I’d pass out cold as soon as I started my crossword puzzle.

    I’m actually pretty good at making tea. Are you a tea drinker yourself? If so, I recommend adding condense milk instead of milk and sugar. It tastes much better.

    I’m 23 too! Still living at home though. I went to college in the city so I saw no reason to move out. I did save quite a bit for grad school though so that’s a plus.

    I have a younger brother as well. He’s 15. I’m afraid that I’ll miss his teenage years as well. It’s going to be harder to bond when I’m not home all the time.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Debbie! I’m looking very forward to starting a new life in DC. It’s going to be exciting and challenging but I’m totally up for it. :)

  • Anonymous

    Hey Peter! I have regained my passion and I haven’t been so satisfied with my life since I started working 9-7. Never again, I tell you. Never again.

  • Anonymous

    You have to come visit me if you’re ever in DC!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=717510431 Elise Reeks

    I like your second list way better!! Great to hear that you are getting your own place and are putting your heart and soul into a cause you feel strongly about! :)

  • http://twitter.com/100Mileshighway Katherina

    I’m so happy for your new journey! It looks like your previous life didn’t leave much space for living. I’m thinking about doing an MBA in about 2 years time or so… so I already know from what I heard that both, the entry requirements and then 2 years duration is tough, but I’m sure its totally worth it.
    Have a great weekend!

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Elise! Being passionate about what I do was something I was missing for the past 3 years. I never knew how torturous that could be.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Katerina! If you have any questions about getting an MBA, let me know! I’m no expert but I’ll do my best to help.

  • http://inspiringtravellers.com/ Andrea and John

    Those accomplishments sounds just as important as the ones you made over the last year. Fantastic! And congrats on the new place =)

  • http://twitter.com/OverYonderlust Erica Kuschel

    Good luck lady on those new goals! Can’t wait to watch you conquer them!

  • Joya

    Congrats Monica! I’m so glad you’re happier now and can’t wait to read about your D.C. adventures!

  • Aili

    I am so excited for you Mon! So glad that you are happy now and doing what you want to do!! Keeping your mind and body healthy is the most important thing there is. And yay for a new start, crossing fingers for your apartment hunt :D

  • http://twitter.com/wnderlustprojct Sheryll

    So excited for you and your journey! I know how good it feels to leave a soul sucking job, kudos to you! You’re going to kick so much ass!

  • Anonymous

     Thanks guys! I can’t wait to move in, get settled and share my new home with you all. Time for photos!

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Erica! It’s been a long, long road. Hope you guys are having a blast traversing the world. Though I haven’t gotten a chance to travel like you do, I LOVE reading your blog.

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Joya! I can’t wait to experience DC myself and meet all the other travel bloggers who live there. 

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Aileen! Hope everything is going well for you in Holland.  

  • Anonymous

    Thanks Sheryll! I can’t wait to kick some more major ass. :D