I can't believe this day is already here! I'm leaving tomorrow for a 4.5 month trip to Europe, Asia, and Australia!
I am overwhelmed with so many different emotions right now......Obviously I'm very excited and anxious about this new chapter in my life. I never in my wildest dreams thought I would do something like this. As you know, I am extremely anal and uptight about my career. As a little girl, I dreamed of being a jet setting businesswoman in corporate America. Really lame and boring, right? I was wearing my first suit in the 2nd grade and I never wanted to take it off. I thought Angela Bower from Who's the Boss was the coolest person because she was the President of her advertising company. Twenty years later, I found myself working as the jet setting businesswoman at YB. For 5 years and 6 months, I was madly in love with YB. I would have ran through a burning building for that place. I couldn't believe I was getting paid to work because I loved it THAT much. I was the nerd that couldn't wait to go back to work on Sunday night. I never admitted that out loud until now. 2008 rolled around and my love for YB started to fade so I started looking for a new job. As I was job hunting, I realized that I was so burned out that even if my dream job came knocking down my door, I wouldn't be ready to go full force. I realized then that I needed a break and that's how I decided to travel.
OKAY, now this brings me to my life post-YB....I still can't believe I'm doing this! I'm starting off in Greece for 10 days, then traveling through the rest of Europe for 7 weeks. After Europe I will head to Southeast Asia for 8 weeks, then spend 2 weeks in Australia, and finish up my trip in Hawaii. I'm very fortunate to have friends meet me every 3 weeks of my trip! I love Chicago so I definitely plan to move back and find my next career here.
The toughest part of this trip is being away from my friends and family. I seriously am the luckiest girl because I have the best friends in the world. I am overwhelmed by the endless amount of support that everyone has offered me. I had so many doubts about taking this leap but everyone I talked to would instill belief in me. Thank you so much! These last few weeks have been amazing thanks to all of you. I still can't believe my Chicago friends threw a Surprise Farewell party for me! It was so unnecessary but incredibly thoughtful and deeply appreciated. Following my party, I flew back to VA and DC to spend time with my wonderful family and friends back home. As always, it's great to see them and I always leave wishing that they all lived in Chicago! The best part of these past few weeks would be the one-on-one time I've had with each of you. All of you have offered me your unique traveling advice which I value so much. I can honestly say that WE are all taking this trip together, whether you are physically there with me or not. I will be thinking of you everyday. You have all inspired me and given me the courage to take this leap. Thank you for all the kind emails, letters, and cards....I have put all of your heartfelt messages in a journal and this journal is coming with me! Thank you guys for everything! XOXO
6 comments:
someone in atlanta will miss you very much! safe travels, nancychoi <3
I hope you have an amazing time!! I am so excited for you and all that you are about to experience. I will check this often and be thinking of you every day. I will miss you, but no worries....dinner will be here when you get back! :)
nancy...i'm SO excited for you! i pray that this trip brings you happiness and that you find your spiritual path :) i love you, miss you, and i'm thinking of you. i can't wait until you get back to the states so my little daughter maryam can finally meet her auntie :) love you, christina
I am soooo happy that you are going on this unbelievable trip!!! I am going to be thinking of you all the time and will miss you so much! Tiffany and Nicholas miss you already! We can't wait until you get back and spend more time with us and tell us about your amazing trip around the world! I am sure you are going to have the most amazing time. Enjoy every second of it!!!! I love you sooo much!!!!!
good luck to you wherever you end up, have a great trip
Nancy: I applaude your "courage" to move in a new direction...without the benefit of prior experience! Enjoy the "new" moments that will make up your days...and...call me when you return to "the ordinary". I'd love to hear of your escapades! Always Love You... ... Jeff C.
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