Going Away Dessert Party

My parents threw me a fabulous dessert party so I could say goodbye to everyone before I left. So many yummy desserts (tres leches, dulce de leche caramel cheesecake, macarrons, flan, carrot cake) and great company! Thanks to everyone for coming out to see me off! There are a few pictures from the party posted - hope you enjoy!

Chi-town Ties

Chicago is my favorite city in the US (minus the winters which suck after 3 months). What a beautiful skyline, friendly and helpful people, great neighborhoods, tons of museums and parks, public transportation (paging Houston - WAKE UP, IT'S THE 21ST CENTURY!), awesome food, and much more.

Except for all my amazing friends in Chicago, I will be parting ways with my other remaining ties - my cell phone number (bye, 773 area code) and my Chicago bank account (bye, Bank One at Work). Going abroad forces me to part ways with these things - I am sad but it's time to move on. But don't worry, I'll be back to visit soon....

Vaccinations Galore

Here are all the vaccinations I have had: tetanus, yellow fever, hepatitis, and typhoid (with prescriptions for altitude sickness - Diamox - and malaria prevention - Malarone).

I think taking the typhoid vaccine has been the most challenging - you can't get more specific for something that doesn't even give you full immunity (it's only 70% according to the CDC). The typhoid vaccine at a cost of $55 is 4 separate pills that have to be taken every other day (basically between the 48 and 49 hours) with a tall glass of cool water. You cannot eat 2-3 hours prior to taking it and cannot eat for an hour after taking it. After forgetting to take the 4th pill the first time around, I learned my lesson - planned well, restricted myself from eating, and delayed my family from eating dinner. Now I am 70% immune.

Now what about the other 30%???

A Way With Words

When I told my friend Brian about my leaving, he summarized my sentiments exactly (thanks for letting me quote you, Brian):

"Go Emily Go! You are going to love your decision. I relate quitting the “good life” at ExxonMobil and following my dream to live on the West Coast to jumping off a high dive: you stand at the edge with your body conflicted with what you want to do, jump off, and being scared to jump…but, then you take that scary jump and you might hit the water in a belly flop or you might break the water without a single splash…but either way you float back to the surface just fine. Enjoy the jump!!!"

I plan to break the water with just a few splashes...I think it'll be good for me.

Rats, Cattle, and People

This morning I felt like a rat. I got two vaccinations - one for yellow fever and one for Hepatitis. I guess it's better than the alternative - as my uncle puts it, you would rather be dead than be sick with those diseases.

Then I paid $80 this morning to get a non-immigrant visa. I allocated a small amount time to go to the consultate to get my visa so that I could be on my way to work. Sometimes things take a lot longer than you expect - say 2 hours instead of 1. But hey I can't complain, I walked out with a visa (one step closer to Ecuador). Now if I can just figure out what to pack?

Upon arriving at work, I pulled my co-workers into a conference room and told them about my leaving the company. I was afraid that they were going to be mad that I was leaving them with all my work but I was pleasantly surprised when they were excited and happy for me. I work with such great people. I am really going to miss them!

Parting Ways - Telling Work

My manager is on maternity leave so I had to inform my manager's manager up north that I am leaving. Very impersonal - I had to do it over the phone - but I had no choice. He once told my manager that he has a lot invested in me. When I told him, he was surprised and worried at first but he was totally understanding and supportive of my decision. It's so weird .... I am leaving the first company (not first job though) I worked for after college. We left it open about my last day - I leave for Ecuador on August 6th and our busiest days in the office are the last day of the month and first few days of the month.

In the beginning...

My first blog ever! I am leaving my normal 8-5 job to go teach at a school in Quito. I want to share with my family, friends, and all you other random folks out there about my crazy experiences, adventures, challenges, and just about every day life in Ecuador. Enjoy the ride!