new.

it’s been awhile since i’ve written anything.

life looks a lot different than it did a month ago, and in very exciting ways. it’s funny– so many times over the last year, people have talked me through borderline-hyperventaliting-freaking-out moments and have told me to trust that things would work out. that taking risks would lead to something better than i could imagine and better than i could reach by taking safe steps. i didn’t believe them.

during my last few weeks in guate, i started the job search process. by the time the beginning of january had come around, i had submitted more than 20 applications for jobs. some were with jobs that i was excited about, for organizations that i cared about or whose mission statements sounded exciting to me. others were for places that sounded neat but that i didn’t really connect with. one was perfect.

i got the perfect job.

in the middle of january, i started working for friends of the orphans, the US-based fundraising and awareness branch of a network of homes for children living in poverty across latin america and the caribbean. i’m working in bellevue with people who i love, serving a population that i care deeply about, using the organizational skills that i’ve gained through my previous jobs. i’m going to mexico next month to meet with people from our other US offices, to plan for how to better serve our kids, to visit one of the homes, and to eat tres leches cake for my birthday. i laugh on my way to work every day. i cry at work– but with the same kind of excitement that made me cry in guate. i look at little faces with wiggly teeth and sticky fingers [pictures now, instead of in person]. i can’t tell someone what i do without getting a stupid grin on my face.

i moved two weeks ago, into an apartment that i adore, with my best friend, in the middle of seattle. i live in a cute little apartment over a cute little coffee shop in a cute old building in a cute little neighborhood. we’re nesting. it’s fun.

i’m in chicago this weekend.

i love where i am– which is funny, considering that i was terrified of where i would be.

it feels like spring.

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