A Month in the Middle of Nowhere
- Aug 7, 2017
- 3 min read
Tomorrow marks one full month since my move.
ONE MONTH YOU GUYS. I'VE LIVED HERE FOR ONE MONTH AND I HAVEN'T BEEN EATEN BY A BEAR OR FALLEN INTO A COMA DUE TO THE SUDDEN STARBUCKS WITHDRAWAL OR ANYTHING*.
*gold star for Jessica for staying alive ⭐️
We all know how I love to be dramatic (GASP! REALLY?!), and I really do wish that I had some insane, small-town, "couldn't make this stuff up if I tried" stories to share with you all, but if I'm being honest, things are pretty much business as usual...
...that is, if your "usual business" includes becoming best friends with the entire RCMP detachment in the first week of moving to town. Or having to drive 2 hours just to reach the nearest anything. Or being delayed 25 minutes driving home because the sassy neighbourhood moose decided to take a little siesta in the middle of the one single road in and out of town...
Like I said, totally normal.
Anywho - the reason I moved up here in the first place was for a really exciting job opportunity and, so far, I have not been disappointed. Finishing school and jumping into a career at 22 brought with it a unique set of challenges...on the one hand, people look at you and see this spunky, motivated, in-touch and savvy individual, who would make an excellent asset to their team or agency or organization. But in the same breath, they're making it clear that they're just not willing to give you any actual authority because as spunky, motivated, in-touch and savvy as you might be, you're also a little 'green'.
For the record: I loathe that term. There is nothing admirable about "green".
"Green" is what you call someone who is ill. Do I look sick to you? No - I look young and bright-eyed and ready to kick ass for your company, but you're too busy comparing me to Kermit the Frog to benefit from me and my youthful, progressive perspective. Boo that, and boo you.
End rant.
...as you can tell, I'm speaking from experience here. I've had ALL of these adjectives (along with plenty of others) used to describe me, simultaneously as pros and cons. In 4 weeks in my new position - as a Coordinator of not one, but TWO independent programs, each with their own mandates and commitments and caseloads - I've heard "back before you were born", "we've done it like this since you were in diapers", and "you're HOW old?!" more times than I can count. The next youngest program head at my agency, who is a decade older than me, literally called me a puppy;"You know, because you're so energetic and...bouncy. Like, you get hold of an idea and you just shake and your tail starts wagging because you're so excited, it's great!"
...soooo great.
However, I'm much more inclined to field the jokes here, because of the simple fact that the jokes are dished out along with trust, autonomy, and mutual respect for my ability to be "in charge". So far, I've handled multiple crisis calls, finished an online course related to my new position, prepared a proposal that was accepted for specialized training in the fall, and got chosen as a facilitator for pilot project curriculum being rolled out nation-wide next year. All while settling into this brand new world that is Northern BC.
I dare you to call me green now. This puppy is kinda killin' it.
This unexpectedly morphed into a "let me tell you just how great I am" post and I would apologize, but I'm not sorry ✌🏻
I AM, however, ridiculously grateful for the opportunity I've got in front of me, and I'm so so SO looking forward to not being a lazy writer anymore and actually sharing this adventure with all of you!! I promise, I'll work on the humility...
Until next time, here's a completely #unfiltered photo of Morfee Lake, where I've spent preeeetty much every free moment I've had since I got here.
And I know that literally *everybody* that reads this blog either lives in the Interior or on the Island, and that the fires have done a number on the summer views you are seeing in both places...my heart goes out to all of you and I hope that you're all keeping healthy and safe, and enjoying the fact that you are alive for another season - smoky or otherwise!! ❤️
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