I need a nice long run to sort this all out

[marathoner452]

Apparently the Central Maryland chapter in Baltimore is looking for NPRC AmeriCorps people.  It's an AmeriCorps National Direct position, meaning that you make a little more money but don't get reimbursed for relocation and the (already limited for VISTAs) health coverage is even more limited.  I'm young and healthy though, so that doesn't bother me so long as I'm covered if I break my leg or get in a car accident.  Obviously, a little more money would be nice.  We're talking an extra thousand a year though.  It's not like I'd be rolling in money or anything.

The question is if I want to deal with yucky traffic every day on Rt. 30 or the Baltimore beltway.  That's one thing I really like about working in Frederick, not having to deal with traffic.  The worst traffic I have to deal with is a tractor or a school bus slowing me down for a few minutes.

The question is also do I want to move.  Do I want to take on the challenge of an AmeriCorps year down on the gulf coast even if I have the choice of living at home and working for the Red Cross?  What do I really want?  I'm asking myself more than I'm asking you all.

(This is all assuming I'm accepted for any of these positions.  I figure though that with Judy's reccommendation for Baltimore and the number of positions I'm applying for down south, this'll be a decision I'll have to make sooner or later.)

If you're reading this Coleen, you were right.  Once I got down to Louisiana I wasn't coming back.  The question now is do I mean that literally or figuratively?

~Bethany

Comments

[roadwarrior220.livejournal.com]

When I was going to be working in Ann Arbor, I knew that if I wound up with the job, it'd be worth it because it'd be a job I wanted and I'd be making more than the Y. Obviously, I didn't get the job, which would have involved me doing the same thing you do daily (driving 2 hours round trip). Sure, the traffic may be not something you want to deal with (Ann Arbor at rush hour isn't as bad as Baltimore, but it's still not my favorite thing to do), but it might be worth it.

On the other hand, you've been wanting a good challenge for a while, and NOLA really captured your heart, so while moving may not be your first choice, it may be the dream you've been wanting for a while.

All I'm saying is no matter which position you get, AmeriCorps or not, you'll always do great work and it'll be worth the little unpleasantries you run into, and I'm behind you every step of the way. And I know for sure that I mean that.

~Adam

~Adam

[roadwarrior220.livejournal.com]

And if you feel the need to bounce any ideas off me or maybe talk things out instead of thinking about them (which I think sometimes works better in cases like this), you know how to reach me, and I'll listen/discuss anytime.

~Adam

[marathoner452.livejournal.com]

I know what I need to do. I knew last September and I didn't act on it. That's haunted me ever since. This is a chance to do what I knew I should have done.

Knowing all that, I'm still going to give Baltimore a chance.

I need to not talk about this because I know I'll rationalize my way out of the right decision because I back away from the unknown. This is a decision I need to make for myself.

~Bethany

[roadwarrior220.livejournal.com]

And the decision you make will be the one I will stand by, as I've stood by you all along, and will always. And that's a promise I can keep.

~Adam

[drunah.livejournal.com]

I think some events in life change the way you see the world forever, and that can be a very positive thing that make a difference.

[ratkrycek.livejournal.com]

All I'll say is that my friends here in RI have started taking bets on whether I'll love NOLA so much I'll want to stay there - and I'm not discounting the possibility that they're right.

I'm also keeping my options open.

But if my heart will lead me to NOLA, or anywhere else - so be it.