The path to here:
June 2011-December 2013: Republic of Moldova, Peace Corps Service
I spent 2.5 years with the Peace Corps, serving as a small enterprise volunteer in two cities in Moldova: Balti and Chisinau. I also met and married my now husband, met so many amazing people, taught yoga, learned to speak Russian, to be a better gardener, observers, and listener. I learned that I have so much and that we all want the same things no matter where we're from: acceptance, love, inner peace.
August 2010-May 2011: West Chester, Pennsylvania, Home for Good-bye
Peace Corps application process continues. A myriad of jobs, from teaching yoga to starting a candle company to cooking for a Swami to PR and social media for HarperCollins' new website. Peace Corps invite arrives in March: Agribusiness and Rural Business Development Advisor in Moldova. Where? Eastern Europe? Didn't see that one coming (see below). I accept.
May 2010-July 2010: Boulder, Colorado Transitioning
Out of the ashram into "the world". Intensity. Managed a re-organization project at a friend's company while hashing my plan. A lot of, "will I get into the Peace Corps?" and, "when will that happen?" Receive official nomination in July: Agribusiness and Rural Business Development in the Carribean. Amazing!
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| Beauty in Colorado |
October 2009-April 2010: Grass Valley California, Yoga Life
Received my Yoga Teacher Certification in 30-day intensive training at an ashram (yoga community). I then stayed for a six-month stint as ashram staff. This meant 24/7 "on" except for when working to turn "in" for meditation and asana practice. I took care of the ashram's social media and marketing, cooked Ayurvedic meals for 20-60 people, fed goats and llamas, and taught yoga asana and philosophy classes. Raising vibrations. Stirring the pot. Bringing it up and out. I decided it was time to apply for the Peace Corps, something I had wanted to do since I was 19.
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| Yoga Farm staff-OM! |
September 2008-September 2009: Chester County, Pennsylvania Going Local
Moved back to my hometown to help get start-up non-profit off the ground with amazing founder, whom I met in Maine. Focused on connecting communities through food, farms and education, we implemented a first round education curriculum in nutrition and sustainability in classrooms from K-12, started two CSAs and a summer camp. On the side, I worked with a number of local families on greening their homes and diets.
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| Fruit (er veggies) of labor-from school garden with Greener Partners. |
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| Lady of the lettuce |
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May 2008-September 2008: The Maine Event
Worked at a locally owned market buying produce and food from local farms, co-ops and vendors to fill out seasonal resorts town's offerings. A great change of pace! Gave talks on superfoods, organics and SLOW foods as a newly-minted Health Coach. Learned about how we get our food first-hand. Found myself in a place full of earthly wealth: eye opener.
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March 2005-May 2008: Corporate Conundrum
Trying to fit a square peg into a round hole for the first 3 years after university. Worked for a Fortune 500 company in product management and another smaller company in trade marketing. I learned what I didn't want to do for a lifetime and the importance of self-care.
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| Foreshadowing? |
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September 1981-August 2000: In the Beginning
Growing up in beautiful West Chester, I was a JOYFUL little girl, a terrible teen and a lover of all things outside, creepy (and later spiritual) and FUN!
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| Make a wish! |
