Where do the days go?

In the 12 days I’ve been back from Panama, I’ve been a bundle of feelings; like riding a whole new type of an emotional and physical rollercoaster.

Some days I’m happy to be back, visiting with friends, spending time with Dad and finding ways to volunteer and help in the community during the days since I don’t have to go to a ‘day job’ anymore. Other days, I’m sad to have left Panama and my paradise.

Most of the time, I try to continue the process of answering these questions: What do I want to do with my life? What is my ideal job? What would I enjoy getting up early for and working on day in and day out? How do I summarize nearly 15 years of work experience into three sentences at the top of my resume?

American Cancer Society work...

In the meantime, I’m trying to get back into volunteering. First, I’m going to Columbus next week to work on Legislative Ambassador duties that stemmed from my association with Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society.

 While I loved my experiences with the Troy Relay and all of my work in Michigan with the American Cancer Society, the Hillcrest Relay wasn’t a great experience for me last year. But, I didn’t let that stop me. I’ve been volunteering for the American Cancer Society since I was seven years old and swimming laps for quarters and I believe they put their money in the right place for cancer research and services for cancer patients and their families. With that in mind,  I accepted an invitation from the Cleveland office to hear about the Ohio Advocacy programs.

At that meeting back in December I heard about  our awesome no smoking laws having the possibilities of being up for repeal, which I would not appreciate at all. I’m not sure where everything stands now with that, but I know before I make the trip next week I’ll know. So what will be doing? I believe petitioning our local and state lawmakers to continue funding for preventative colon cancer screenings.

Hopefully my dedication to the cause and my personal story will help make an impact.  At least it is something I can do (from little miss silver-lining) for which I don’t have to take a vacation day. See, I can find the positive in everything.

 So, as the original question of this post go? It is almost midnight of day 12 back in Ohio. I’m not sure what happens to each and every day, but I’m trying to make the best out of this opportunity to find a new, great job I’ll really enjoy.

Live lava flowing on top of a Volcano in Guatemala!

I post this above picture from my trip to Guatemala. It was a two hour ridiculously difficult hike up this volcano to see this incredible sight – live flowing lava which was truly a wonder. My hundreds of pictures taken in Guatemala and in Panama from January and February seem to distract me from the current cold and rainy weather in Cleveland – and the job search.

But now, I must return to the resumes, cover letters and answering life’s biggest questions.  That and trying to figure out which movies I want to see at the Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF) starting March 19 and ending March 29th, all at Tower City. Another benefit to umemployment – I could take a whole day and watch independent movies! Just call me Ms. Mary Silver Lining!