Every cloud...

Fast day and non smoking flew out the window yesterday when I got some news. After working as an events fundraiser for a children's medical research charity for 3 months I was made redundant. 

Very mixed emotions, initially shock, I feel worried but slightly relieved. What they didn't know is that I have been planning on going to Thailand in January and was going to hand in my notice at the end of November. I went to Thailand twice last year and fell in love with the country and the people. I have been doing an online Teach English as a Foreign Language course for the past two months so that Rob and I can move out there for six months. It's not technically a redunancy apparently as I haven't been there long enough, however it has put a small spanner in the works with regards to money but I'll sort something out and Rob's online business will help. 

In all honesty, I've spent the past month or two trying my hardest not to count down the weeks before I could leave. The people were nice, a little too nice. But the job was not everything I had expected. With the chance to work at some amazing events here and abroad, chasing people for sponsorship money and effectively being a debt collector was not my cup of tea. I also need to get away from staring at a screen for the majority of the day. I went into the charity sector with all the right intentions to do good and make a difference, but when people take part in events without caring where there sponsorship money goes and then failing to give what they promised to, I have lost the passion. I'm not one to look backwards but if I had my time again, I would have done a masters or degree that allowed me to care for people on the front line rather than from a desk.

This time last year I was about to embark on a trip of a lifetime to central and south america ( blog http://central-southamerica.blogspot.co.uk/ ). When I got back two months later and returned to working as a fundraiser for another children's charity I got the travel blues bad. I loved the cause of the charity I used to work for but it was small and like all charities, it was suffering in the current economic climate. There was little room for growth so I moved on. Moving out with Rob and getting a new job in the space of a month, I thought I would be happy. But I haven't felt fulfilled. Turns out the new job that I didn't enjoy was really a blessing in disguise as it pushed me to make the move to Thailand. Rob has been great as well and I am so pleased that he will be coming with me.

So big changes happening at the moment.Staying positive. Cannot wait to be back on the beach in paradise!