On a New Path

Last year at this time I was steeped in culinary life, absorbed with the differences in terms such as "Blanch" and "Parboil". I woke up early each morning, usually around 6AM, got through my regular morning routine, and spent most of the day wearing baggy checkered pants and a checkered pillbox hat. I tried to please my instructors by being early and working hard, spent my late afternoons moaning over homework, and then hurrying out the door to work 6 hours at Billy Miners Roadhouse, deep-frying fries and chicken nuggets.


I was busy, but it was good. This year has been a bit different so far.
After I returned from Strathcona Park Lodge, I decided to take September easy. I had been on the go since last September when I started the culinary program, and I wanted a break. I have been working part-time with Dutch Touch Cleaning Services, and that has been a really great way for me to unwind from the stress of cooking and earn just enough cash to keep the car running and do things that I want to do.


I told myself October would be different. I would get full-time work, move out of my parent's place, and figure out what I wanted to do when I grow up. That sort of thing.

Well, now its late October, and I still haven't got a full-time job (though I've been applying), moving out of my parent's place is just not gonna happen...but...BUT...

I may have figured out a career choice.

This is a big thing for me guys! ME, who has stared at her future with a bleak "I just don't know what to do" for so long. Even while cooking, I wasn't convinced I wanted it as a career.

Researching my Meyers-Briggs personality (INFP) didn't really help with its suggestions (teacher, writer, actor, etc) but it did highlight a few things that I thought, "Ya, that is important to me."

Helping people.
Improving lives.
Making a difference.

Other things I wanted to include:

Low-stress environment.
Working independently (not necessarily my own business, but just not having someone breath down my neck)
Not sitting at a desk all day.

Well, this week I was talking with my mom about jobs, and I don't even remember how it came up, but suddenly I was like, "Maybe I will become a massage therapist."

I said it as kind of a joke. I've thought about it before, when I was graduating highschool. Its been in the back of my mind forever, but then I would always think, "That means I would have to touch people that I don't know...eeeewwwww!"
That still kind of disturbs me, but I think once you are trained professionally its not a big deal.

All the pieces started to fit together.
The whole natural healing thing appeals to me, and its such a diverse field, there would always be something new to learn and specialize in. It really fits in with my interests and values.

I looked it up, and there is a school of massage in Victoria that looks very good. Of course, the tuition kind of popped a blood vessel in my head...but if I work full-time this year and save every penny, I think I could pull it off. Maybe. I refuse to get another student loan. Ever.

Completing the first year will qualify me as a Spa Practioner, which basically means I would be your typical spa masseuse, trained to do hot rock, aromatherapy, reflexology, and all those lovely things.

If I chose to go on for the next two years, I would become a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT), and work in a medical setting, or specialize in sports-related massage.

It all sounds so intriguing! For the first time in a very long time, I am excited about the possibility of going back to school! I really think this is something I could "get into"!

Best of all...I won't have to talk to people (much)...and they will love me for it!

The Introvert in me is smiling really big.