Oh we run just to find a way to change, its good to get away sometimes

Oh goodness, where to start. Well, its been a whirlwind since I last updated so as these things go I will try and hit the main points.

Flew back to Michigan from my Florida adventure and was there a grand total of 17 days before turning back around.  During my 17 days back in Wayland I had frequented the one and only coffee shop daily, searching for jobs, studying, and in all trying to figure out life plans.  Thru my sister I found a job lead, and within 3 days of submitting my application I was hired!  Although not a long term position, this work will give me enough time and security to figure out my next move. I did enjoy my time back in the mitten though, hanging out with the high school cross country teams, getting together with my biking group in Kalamazoo, presenting a travelogue to my old Pfizer colleagues, and making a little pilgrimage back to Ann Arbor to see some long lost college friends.  The saturday morning mrun pancake run was definitely a hi-light (along with the FREAKING amazing football game that followed) :)

So for now I am back in the sunshine state, sharing a room and a car with my favorite big sister :)  I start work tomorrow, always a bit nerve wracking, but this should be fun.  I will be compiling evidence for Federal and State agencies such as NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association) by walking the coastlines and asking for interviews and filling out questionnaires. The rest of my time (hopefully) will be spent studying for grad school entrance exams and applying to schools. Its all a little overwhelming but being productive has kept me relatively focused these past few weeks.

Researching possible school options and creating career goals for myself has kind of psyched me up for life.  Not going to lie, still missing South Africa like crazy, but figuring out my passions and figuring out how to incorporate them all into a crazy life experience is really exciting.  Patience is something that is very hard for me right now though lol. Ok lets be honest, when has this ever been easy. Slow down Sarah, one step at a time.

So although Michigan is starting its chilly pumpkin spice latte season, I will be walking the beaches and getting sunburnt (mission already accomplished on day two).  Sorry body, you still don't get the normal seasonal progression that you are used to.

I know, I know for sure that life is beautiful around the world

So after a freaking amazing intern/ work experience in Cape Town, I have some pretty sweet news. After working as a fill in researcher my boss offered to assist me in coming back to work for Regency for 6 more months! So after about 3 weeks back in snowy Michigan I am about to head back to South Africa. Its been a whirlwind crazy time trying to get plane tickets sorted out and its still not over as far as my visa renewal (fingers crossed for that one!) not to mention trying to see everyone before I head back!

This experience will definitely test me in lots of ways. No more interns as eager as I am to make friends and soak up everything that South Africa has to offer. I will be living solo in a more relaxed coastal area called Hout Bay, outside the bustling city center of Cape Town. I will also have all the responsibilities that come with a full time job on top of continuing to plan out/ study for/ applying to graduate programs back home. I can't wait to really dive into work though, and I hope that the experience i will gain through this opportunity will help shape my future in the international public health field.

I will be flying out of Detroit Jan 10th and will be returning on July 19th. I'm anxious to see how it will be to enter the real world half way around the world.

(The picture is me and my boss walking down to Hout Bay beach, right down the road from my new apartment... which is also connected to our new office building!)