Area Woman Overcomes Quarterlife Crises

Since returning from a life in Turkey, I spent more than a year living in my hometown in constant confusion about current contentment and career and life goals. For the majority of the earlier part of the year I focused on figuring out what I thought would truly make me happy. What could I do now that I will feel good about doing for the next 10 years of my life? I started sketching out a plan to at least attempt to reach something rather than risk regret by doing nothing.

Unfortunately during this time I was unable to live my life to the fullest and enjoy my friends and family around me. I was focusing too much on the destination rather than the journey. As soon as my plan began to solidify, I started to really appreciate everything in my life of the present.

No matter how much I loved my colleagues, neighbors, friends, family, and life in general in Minneapolis, I couldn't turn back. I had already purchased my plane ticket and told my boss I was leaving. The last day of work I even ended up in his office crying my eyes out, unsure if I was making the right decision. Fortunately, whether he believed it or not, he supported me and encouraged me to follow through with my plan.

Since my last day at the office with a farewell lunch followed shortly after with a very teary farewell happy hour and late night The Nina, The Pinta show I have been quite worried about the possible negative outcomes of my risky adventure abroad. What if nothing I go for works out? What will I do if I get back to Minneapolis without a plan, a job, or money?

After spending a year in constant confusion, risking what became a wonderful life in Minneapolis by trying my chances on graduate school abroad and a dream job, it all finally payed off.

Two days ago I was offered a position as a Country Director for Oxford Business Group, http://www.oxfordbusinessgroup.com/. I will be a country director working on five to seven month team projects involving marketing, PR, sales, and possibly opportunities for a little writing. Each project will be located in a different country in the Middle East or Southeast Asia. As for my first project, I will be training with a fellow UW, Madison Alumni in Indonesia.

Although I had my heart set on being back in the Midwest from July through September to experience summer Minnesota style on the lakes, grilling out, and cabin'n it up with great friends, the job offer was contingent on my flexibility on being able to start in Istanbul on the 4th of July without going home.

Because I have promised so many people and I was looking forward to being home for a while, I am having quite a hard time explaining the news to all of my friends. Of those of you who find this and read it, I hope you understand.

As for the few weeks I have left in Istanbul, I am planning on spending my time reuniting with old friends and perfecting my Turkish language and cuisine. I'm kicking it off tonight with a Rakı Sofrası, cooking up some Meze and hosting a colorful jamboree of harmony chaos, fun, sadness, and laughs with a few friends in Istanbul with that cloudy Turkish national drink, raki, in celebration of my new exciting job.