Second of all.....Welllll.....why NOT?
Ok, I know, not the answer you were looking for....
I will try to keep this as short as possible...to explain how I came to this conclusion as the obvious next chapter in my life....
Around August of 2011, I was working as a Massage Therapist and dipping into the singer/songwriter thing here in Nashville. I was traveling every 2 weeks or so, playing at vineyards, coffee shops, and restaurants. Trying to learn more and more about music, and better my craft. My plan was to finish a second album. I already had a few songs recorded, and more written. But when I got back to Nashville in August, with no more out-of-town dates, I realized I needed a break. I was worn out. Between full-time job and full-time music (with very little income from this endeavor), I was exhausted. I would wake up early, or stay up late, just to send emails, book gigs, write, practice, play out, market and promote, update my website, etc....You name it, I was the only one doing it for myself. My mind was constantly going - trying to come up with new ideas, songs, etc. on how to get my music out there! Now, don't get me wrong...I LOVED this! I loved music and creating and playing. I think I just needed a break. So I decided to put the guitar down for about a month. For the first time in years, I would come home from work, and just sit and watch TV, with my mind blank. It was kind of nice. :)
After awhile, I decided I needed to get back at it. But I wasn't quite sure I wanted to continue pursuing the "Indie Artist" thing. And since I never truly chased after the idea of just being a songwriter, that was my next move. So I nudged myself back out to the writers nights and the networking (ugh!). And thanks to a good friend's help and a phone call, I got to play for a BIG publisher and get a BIG co-writing appointment at a BIG publishing company here in town. And we wrote a great song!
But my heart was just not in it anymore. I mean, I love the creating and writing and playing. But chasing it as a career is draining! Especially when I had to have a full time regular job because I had student loans to pay. I finally came to the conclusion that in order to make it in the music industry - whether as an artist or a songwriter (besides the obvious - great talent, look, etc), you really need to do this full time. And, well, the cards just did not fall in this way for me. I came to peace with this. I have done things that many never get a chance to do! I had my own website, am on iTunes, Amazon and Pandora, was in a band, opened for Charlie Daniels and Gretchen Wilson, went "on the road" by myself, played 3-hour cover gigs on my own, made an album, and created some amazing music!!! I cannot complain!
But it was time for me to move on....time to see what else this world has to offer. So - I always told myself, that if and when the time comes where I am done chasing music as a career, I would leave Nashville. I have made amazing friends and family here, and will always stay in touch with them, but it's not my home. I never quite felt settled. So...the question was...Where would I go?? Gosh, I can go anywhere! My family and I are close, but I never felt the need to live close to them - at least, not right now. Maybe in 10 years...but for now, I have other places I need to see and experience!
I narrowed my choices to San Diego or Charleston. My plan was to visit both. I work at a Massage Envy, and they are nationwide - so I would probably be able to move right in to a job pretty easily. But it still didn't feel right. I thought "So, I move to the beach, and continue massaging, and then what?" It felt so unfulfilling....
Until one day at work....
During one of my sessions, a client and I were talking, and he said something about the Peace Corps. It was like a light bulb turned on! I knew right then and there, without a doubt, this was what I wanted - and needed - to do! I had no clue what I was getting into, but I didn't care - this was exactly what I wanted for my next chapter! I went home that night, and began filling out the online application (see the tab My Application Process for all the fun!).
See, at the end of my senior year of college, I looked into joining the Peace Corps. I then realized that the process takes up to a year, and I figured I should just finish school and get on with some job, instead of waiting around to get in. So I put the idea aside and continued on with my schooling, work, etc.....
I feel like everything I have done in my life - from undergrad, to grad school, to Massage Therapy, to Singer/Songwriter...and everything before, after, and in between....has prepared me for this moment right now. Through all my faults and failures, the one thing I know how to do, what I want most in this world, is to put my arms around someone and help them with every inch of my being. And I have a feeling this next chapter is going to probably be one of my favorites!
So THAT'S why! :)
Stay tuned for the most recent fun of getting prepared to go! I will try to update this blog as much as possible, and I've been told that most sites in the Peace Corps have internet. I plan on uploading pictures, videos, and of course, lots and lots of stories!!
p.s. The Oryx (Antelope) is the national animal of Namibia!
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