Where the Compass Points: I'm Going North...

It has been a long time since I updated this blog, and like so many times before I am going to say that I will try to do a better job of keeping up with it.

I am now living in the northwoods—the 'promised land' as a good friend called it just yesterday. In the past two weeks I have seen four wolves. I hear loons singing daily, and the boreal forest calls to me from closer than far. I am home. I am also not doing a job that I love, and so I am struggling with what I should do in the long-run.

I wanna dance, the tango with chance

I wanna ride on the wire

Cuz' nothing gets done, with dust in your gun

And nobody respects a liar.

So goodbye for awhile, I'm off to explore

Every boundary and every door.

Yeah I'm going north.

I am currently working at a resort as a Guest Services Manager and Family Adventure Coordinator. I knew I was selling my soul slightly when working for a for-profit company. I also thought I'd be spending a large part of my time leading hikes and paddles. That percentage is smaller than I anticipated and most of the time I am merely managing a resort, for an owner that I struggle to respect.

I have put a lot of thought, this past week, into my life and choices I will be making professionally and personally over the coming months. Before I came to Ely, MN I was of the belief that it is worth it to do most things in order to be in the place that I love. Since then, I have realized that I miss teaching, and being surrounded by like-minded naturalists more than I missed the northwoods (and I didn't think that was possible). I need to get back into non-profits and EE before my love for it is shoved into the background behind dusty boxes filled already with poetry slams and Madison.

I wanna know, where children would go

If they never learned to be cool

Cuz' nothing's achieved, when pushed up a sleeve

Till nobody thinks you're a fool.

So goodbye for awhile, I'm out to learn more

About who I really was before.

Yeah I'm going north.

I have started to apply for and look for jobs. I hope that I will have an update for you all soon. Until then, I have some pictures of my home here in the far north. (Italicized lyrics are from Missy Higgins' song I'm Going North.)