Back in October, November, December? I found I passed muster and was selected as a team member for Rotary International's Group Study Exchange Program. Two of my good friends are alumni of this amazing program. The GSE program is a cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young-ish professionals. For four weeks, my team leader, 3 teammates, and I will tour our host Rotary District in Curitiba, Brazil. Curitiba is south of Sao Paolo and Rio, almost to Uruguay. It is a very modern city and serves as an excellent example of progressive urban planning.
In a typical four-week tour, my team and I will participate in vocational visits, give 15 to 20 presentations about our lives and our careers to numerous Rotary clubs within our host district, attend the host district conference, go on cultural and service project site tours, and stay with host families. The goal is to soak up as much of the culture as possible, while making new friends and professional connections.
Rotary International is an amazing civic service organization with clubs all around the country and the world. I've had the privilege of attending several Rotary functions, and I like the ethos of the organization. (I encourage you to find your nearest local Rotary Club and inquire about the GSE program.) Fortunately, my GSE alumni friends have started their own provisional Rotary Club right here in St. Pete that I will likely join once I return from in June. As much as I would like to update my entries on this blog while I am touring my host district in Brazil, I am going to say now that it is not likely. Everyone involved with the GSE program guarantees me long, full days and I have little expectation that I can sneak away to type up a blog entry of any quality.
So, that's the BIG international news. Like I would need any more action than that in one year!! As you all know by now, though, I roll at the speed of sound, if not light, when it comes to living life. I have BIG domestic news, too!! When I return home, I will begin OPERATION: Search and Offer. Currently, I am in OPERATION: Careful Consideration of Home Ownership.
I've been crunching numbers all month and I meet with my friendly mortgage broker next week. And in lieu of committing to the home search full on by getting a real estate agent and visiting listed homes, I check out eye candy here. I will begin the on foot search in earnest when I return to the States. My dear little 500 square foot one-bedroom garage apartment has been so kind to me over the past four years. My land lady has been even better to me during that time. I will miss the moments we shared; however, it is time to move on to a full-sized, functional kitchen, a yard to call my own, and space enough for a full-sized sofa and for the cats (yes, I have cats and that's another story altogether). I'm looking forward to the process of purchasing my very first piece of property and I can't wait for each of you to come visit!! There will most certainly be room for you!
That's the moving and the shakin'. I hope you can keep up. I promise to keep you as updated as possible over the summer!
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