Job Search 2014

It's sort of tough to avoid the inevitable when visiting with EVERYONE they ask what's next after Italy.

Well, although I still have no idea what path I'll take, I actually spent today in my pjs (it's too cold to leave my bed) applying for jobs. I feel like I'm in the same exact place I was 4 years ago when I finally reached the "must flee Monterey" mark and flooded the government job site with my resume.

Like I did today. 

More jobs are being posted, which is encouraging, but still it's hard to apply for positions when I know how hiring goes...they post because they have to, but already have the person in mind. Not to mention all these jobs sound the same despite being different titles and different agencies. And yet should I end up in the job, it won't be like what they told me it would be...

Mom, Dad, all jobs I applied for were stateside.
Nina, you'd be happy to hear lots of them are near you.

So just to keep things in perspective in between rating my skill set with each application, I've been putting together other options, just in case I decide this government deal can't go on past 8 years of service:

COA #2: Join the circus. Marry a carnie. Eat cotton candy daily. Lots of traveling. Optional pet lemur?

COA #3: Apply to be the next Bacholorette per a former colleague's advice. (May not end up with a ring on my finger or someone I want to be with, but the $ should keep me good for a year or so...right?)

COA #4: Launch Nico's modeling career. Full marketing attack- toys, children's books, feline clothing, sing-a-long with Signore Neeks in addition to his trademark calendar.

COA #5: Open up a coffee shop/bakery. Small place with daily menu of tasty muffins, scones, cookies. Quality coffee served one hot cup at a time.

COA #6: Run off to Kenya. Dig wells. Adopt adorable babies. Get a parasite. And skin cancer.

COA #7: Work for the private terminal at the airport (i.e the rich people's one). Meet a millionaire. Marry him and wait for his money to come my way. (Brought to by the same person as COA 3.)

COA #8: Liquidate all my funds. Travel the world. Wherever I end up when my last dollar, euro, pound, whatever is spent, I've found my new home.

COA #9: Run for Congress. I mean, how difficult can it really be?

COA #10: PhD school. Although my coworkers said I shouldn't apply if that's what I'm calling it...