"Challenge Accepted" is one of Brandt's favorite games. He does like Catchphrase too, but "Challenge Accepted" is probably his favorite. You may not be familiar with this game. In fact, before dating Brandt I had never even heard of it. I don't know if he was dared frequently as a little guy, or if his parents set a low bar for him because he was the middle child (that's just a middle-child joke, Celeste), but he frequently responds to my questions and requests not with a "yes" or "ok" or "no thanks" but with "challenge accepted". Jokes aside, it completely fits him. Brandt is a leader, courageous, and confident and I easily love and admire those qualities in him.
"Challenge Accepted" has now become part of my life - part inside joke, but also part guiding mantra for the next few years. Not that this should be anything new. The Successories store has figured out how to say that phrase about 1000 different ways now, but I guess for me, hearing it from my partner inspires me the most. He will be my companion in this journey after all, and his support and encouragement are very important to me.
A few weeks ago, I faced my biggest pre-travel challenge to date: quitting my job!! The anticipation of knowing for a long time that I was going to have to quit generated a fair amount of anxiety for me. I felt guilty for leaving such an awesome boss and workplace, and a twinge of dishonesty keeping it a secret. Luckily, the right time presented itself, and I thought to myself, WWBD? Of course he would seize the opportunity and get it over with (challenge accepted, right?)!
So with a little over 2 months before I plan to leave the Bay Area, I burst into tears in my boss' office, and broke the news. I know, I know, this isn't how you are supposed to do it. I'm sure some book with a guy in a suit on the cover would tell you to compose yourself a bit more and just give a 2 week written notice to cover your behind but that isn't really my style. If you didn't know, I am a total crybaby and cry at just about everything, and it is just part of who I am. Part of me is sad to go, and for me, it was ok to let that show. So let it show I did, and I cried about 3 more times that day.
After all the tears though, my boss couldn't have reacted any better. He congratulated me on doing something awesome, thanked me for giving him adequate notice, and offered to hire me back when I return if he is able. And he said, "I always knew you were going to come in here one day and tell me your joined the Peace Corps". He was almost right. I am so happy to have the support and well wishes from my work place and appreciate the opportunity I have had the past 2.5 years.
This step makes the trip more of a reality, and I look forward to the challenges to come. Actually, we welcome you in challenging us too! I don't know how to do it yet, but we will be making a page/chart/graph-thingy where our family and friends can post challenges to us and we will do our best to reply "Challenge Accepted!" and then make it happen.
For example:
Challenge - Jump off a really high rock/cliff/ledge/bridge into a body of water on every continent you visit. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! (we just happened to jump off a 35 foot high ledge into the ocean in Kauai with my brother last week and are setting this challenge for ourselves).
Our next challenge is easier - selling the majority of our possessions on craigslist. If you live nearby and are looking for used dishes or a dresser, give us a call!
We are now 59 days and counting until we leave California! Put another way, only 1 rent check left, and our journey begins! WE ARE SO EXCITED!!!
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| Kauai, 2013 |
