At a Crossroads...
Jan. 18th, 2006 12:06 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
Wednesday 11:36 am
Maybe it's because, as someone who read my most recent flurry of posts said, I'm going crazy and I'll have imaginary friends next... or maybe it's because I've had a lot of isolation time to mull things over... or maybe it's because being in Goma has increased my homesickness exponentially.
But, I've been thinking a lot about what comes next. In addition, of course, to being excited for my trip home at the end of March.
Previously, I'd sort of thought that I'd go back to Maryland and continue my path of working in design + primatology/conservation. But I've got to consider that perhaps I won't always find employment that blends those two components together. Sure, there are avenues that seem idyllic now, but are they really practical?
I think eventually, I'll have to choose which direction I'm going to go in. Primatology -- academia, science, lots and lots and lots of schooling
Or Design/PR/Marketing -- need more training, probably better paid but perhaps more soulless?
So, in the LJ tradition, I'll be indecisive and look to my friends for their potentially less-obscured vision of my future. Because right now, I'm feeling somewhat deluged with possibilities.
Please note, that the timeline of these options is "when I get back from Uganda" as opposed to "sometime in my life"
[Poll #654699]
Anyway, I'd really appreciate people's opinions on the matter. Please try not to flame me for "leaving my life in the hands of others" since clearly, when it comes down to it, the choice is mine.
Oh, and I also discovered today that I'm getting reimbursed for all my various visa travails which is incredibly comforting, considering I'm po'ass right now. Phew!
Maybe it's because, as someone who read my most recent flurry of posts said, I'm going crazy and I'll have imaginary friends next... or maybe it's because I've had a lot of isolation time to mull things over... or maybe it's because being in Goma has increased my homesickness exponentially.
But, I've been thinking a lot about what comes next. In addition, of course, to being excited for my trip home at the end of March.
Previously, I'd sort of thought that I'd go back to Maryland and continue my path of working in design + primatology/conservation. But I've got to consider that perhaps I won't always find employment that blends those two components together. Sure, there are avenues that seem idyllic now, but are they really practical?
I think eventually, I'll have to choose which direction I'm going to go in. Primatology -- academia, science, lots and lots and lots of schooling
Or Design/PR/Marketing -- need more training, probably better paid but perhaps more soulless?
So, in the LJ tradition, I'll be indecisive and look to my friends for their potentially less-obscured vision of my future. Because right now, I'm feeling somewhat deluged with possibilities.
The Life Goal Poll!
Please note, that the timeline of these options is "when I get back from Uganda" as opposed to "sometime in my life"
[Poll #654699]
Anyway, I'd really appreciate people's opinions on the matter. Please try not to flame me for "leaving my life in the hands of others" since clearly, when it comes down to it, the choice is mine.
Oh, and I also discovered today that I'm getting reimbursed for all my various visa travails which is incredibly comforting, considering I'm po'ass right now. Phew!
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Date: 2006-01-18 10:46 am (UTC)And this is really sort-of-short-term... just because wherever I go next requires preparation and I need to start thinking about that. Build the foundation for whatever's next, you know?
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Date: 2006-01-18 11:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-18 11:19 am (UTC)Also, some people are suggesting that I'm already going mad, so... ;)
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Date: 2006-01-18 11:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-18 11:28 am (UTC)It wasn't exactly a subtle hint ;)
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Date: 2006-01-18 11:36 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-18 11:46 am (UTC)But yes, there was certainly concern there too. Hehehe. Maybe I'm just feeling a bit mad myself!
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Date: 2006-01-18 11:55 am (UTC)But yeah, point being, I had to kind of laugh to myself when I saw your original mention of loneliness and madness because just this morning I talked aloud to absolutely no one about how metallic my coffee tasted this morning, and what I should do about it, etc. ;) I haven't started creating imaginary friends yet, tho, so that's good ;) But last night I was feeling lonely in bed so I cuddled with my Eeyore; animals of the "stuffed" variety being better than nothing at all ;)
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Date: 2006-01-18 11:59 am (UTC)I guess I'm just not feeling as fulfilled by the chimps as I was by the humans. Etaito can't play cards with me, or have witty banter.
Wow, I really miss witty banter... Maybe that explains my recent penchant for romantic comedies!
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Date: 2006-01-18 12:12 pm (UTC)Not to completely derail the topic, but maybe this is the perfect time to continue working on that novel? :) Wouldn't it be great if after your time in Africa is up, you could say you not only had these amazing experiences, but wrote a book to boot! What a year :)
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Date: 2006-01-18 01:00 pm (UTC)And I actually laughed aloud reading about the novel, but you know what? You're totally right ;)
I've been trying to come up with things to consume my evenings other than playing the text adventure Chris made me for hours on end! hehe.
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Date: 2006-01-18 08:39 pm (UTC)And I'm totally gonna poke you again about the writing idea ;) If not the continuation of the story you started in November, maybe you can re-examine your Africa posts so far and see if you can't string them together into a story in itself. That'd be a kickass souvenir of Africa :)
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Date: 2006-01-18 12:18 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-18 12:28 pm (UTC)It's all relative. Plus, I'm in the process of uploading photos of my cornucopia of bruises/cuts/bites. hehe.
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Date: 2006-01-18 12:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-18 12:35 pm (UTC)The interaction is really nice, it's true. I guess I'm just whinging about the lack of dialogue.