A California Girl In Kansas

For the past three and a half years, after impulsively uprooting my life in Los Angeles and replanting it in Wichita, Kansas, I’ve been on my best behavior. I held a steady, boring corporate job, lived in a nice, safe, suburban apartment and refrained from doing anything too terribly crazy.  I mean, not like the move halfway across the country for a man who hums in the car when there isn’t any music playing kind of crazy.

So it should come as no surprise to those who know me best that I’ve been especially antsy for the past few months. Restless. In need of a change, an adventure, something unexpected and exciting.

At first I thought it was moving back to California. But that (or more specifically, the job I was taking) didn’t quite work out. It was the wrong fit - financially, creatively and culturally. So I shifted my focus to blogging professionally, building a stronger community at MTV Reality World, joining a friend on a new venture with Happy Recess (a work in progress), promoting my personal blog - ya know, this one – with the hope that eventually it will provide enough material for me to write that “based on a true story” novel I always swear I’m going to finally start, and getting more involved in all things social media & web 2.0 related. I realize that will make sense to, like, 8 of you, but basically, it’s the work I feel passionate about. Yeah, that’s right – I feel passion for blogging about trashy MTV reality shows.  Don’t hate.

Somewhere in all of this, a few other job opportunities fell into my lap – one in Kansas City and another potential gig much further north. What can I say? I like to keep things interesting and leave my mom guessing where I’ll end up next…

And then, last week, I had the time of my life on the Caribbean island of St. Maarten. You can read about the experience HERE.

The problem with having the time of my life is that the big ideas start churning in my head. And I start asking questions and mentally making plans and before you know it, I’ve decided to do something absolutely nuts.  Like, really crazy, impulsive, adventurous and full of the unknown.

So here it is - I’m going back to St. Maarten.  Indefinitely.

To try to answer any potential questions you may have before you actually ask them and irritate me by not supporting my insanity with a simple “I’m so excited for you,” here you go:

1. Where will you live? Good question.  I have no idea.  I will be staying with a friend at first while I scope out the living sitch.  The good news - the island is all about who you know and I happen to know someone pretty spectacular.  Someone who will be helping me sort all of these annoying little details once I get there.  The basic plan is to put everything I own in storage and bring whatever can fit into two large suitcases with the option to ship more necessities later.
2. What about Lola? Don’t worry.  The Pug is about to be an international traveler.  She’s coming along for the ride.
3. What about your cat (Lexie)? That’s a good question.  A really good question.  If anyone would like to be a cat foster parent with the potential for full adoption, please let me know.  She’s fixed, declawed, cute, cuddly and just kinda hangs out in the background.
4. Where will you work? This is an interesting one.  Most of what I do now can be done from anywhere in the world as long as I have a laptop and an internet connection.  And there is a lot of opportunity on the island for my interactive marketing skills.  I already have my first two clients.
5. When are you leaving? The second week of June.  Somewhere around the 10th, give or take a few days.
6. Have you totally lost your mind? Yes.  Kind of.  But isn’t it more fun this way?

Here’s the deal, y’all.  I’m 27, unattached, with absolutely nothing holding me back.  I’m a clever girl and I fight hard for what I want.  And I want an adventure.  So that’s what I’m getting.  I’m going to go for broke, experience as much as possible, learn French, build some cool websites, blog a lot, sunbathe, travel around the Caribbean, take my dog for walks on the boardwalk…  I’m going to LIVE.  If I don’t do it now, when will I?

So that’s it - my big announcement.  My big, crazy, thrilling, scary and fabulous announcement.

And, for the record, visitors are more than welcome.  Start booking your trips now!