I'm currently working in fiber optics engineering where I used to help out during a few summers. The work itself I'm not really a big fan of, but the environment is great, I'm friends with the guys who work in our tiny cubicle quad in the basement, and I actually have something to do every day instead of sitting at home wondering what I'm doing with my life. And this allows me to make enough money for the next stage in my life.
This all came about in a very crazy way. Before I started working I was looking into other options. I thought if I couldn't get on the original plan I might as well try to make a difference somehow. So I was looking into trying to get back to Europe in other ways to try to hook up with OM, even if it couldn't be in Italy. I looked into being an au pair, and had things set up to try this in Spain. Sidestep to Rebecca, one of the little girls who was at the volleyball camp, who I have been emailing with every once in a while. I let her know that I might be going to Spain, and she told me that I should do the same with her family! This actually works out ridiculously perfectly. They live in the same valley in Italy where I was last summer and where our ministry is based, they don't need me until September so that gives me time to raise the money to pay off my student loans for a year, and living with this family will be the perfect way to get involved in the community.
It almost seems too good to be true, and after going through a rough time being stuck at home I can see how this was the best plan all along. So I'm working with the family to get the visa, and saving money. Also, due to the fact that I'm graduated, roughly 87% of the people I know are getting married this summer. So if I work constantly I would have enough money to go back to Italy in July, but I wouldn't be of as much use then. So in order to go to all the weddings I'm going to take a vacation earlier and then work longer into August. I have my tickets to go to Spain June 11 - July 11, and for the first two weeks my mom, Molly, Doyle, and her mom are will be with me just traveling around Spain. After they leave I get to spend some time in Madrid with some great friends and going to a wedding. I'll also be going back to Italy for a week to help out with this summer's Impact interns. I'll come back to the states just in time for a few more weddings, and I'll continue working until I fly to Italy sometime in August.
I'm still looking for people who would like to support me, even though I don't need financial support for the first year. If anyone knows of anyone else who's interested, please pass on my blog and/or email address.
So excite!
