Karen

So much has changed in the last year that I hardly know where to start! In April of this year I rented a house in a southeast Portland, OR neighborhood called Woodstock. Although I am currently working on a short-term writing project, I am looking for a full-time job. Izzy, my lab-beagle dog is happy to have her own yard again--and we both still like to jump in the car and discover something new. Although our months-long journey has come to an end, we are enjoying our new lives as Oregonians and expect to take short trips as we are able.

Last year, I was in the throes of a mid-life crisis and decided to go all out (as usual--I am an over-achiever by nature). Like many people my age, I asked the big questions: "Now what?" "What do I want to be when I grow up?" "Is that all there is?"

I was dithering about my future and trying to determine what I really wanted, when the universe gave me a kick in the pants by laying me off from my job (also like so many other people). My company was bought by another company and they already had one of me, so despite the best efforts of my employers, my job was eliminated.

Strangely, I was actually happy to be laid off -- not what I expected at all -- but I looked at the event as an opportunity. I decided to "grab it and growl" as my friend Vicki would say.

As I pondered my fate, I realized that what I wanted to do most was go visit all the friends and family I promised to visit--and didn't--over the past 21 years. Somehow two weeks of vacation a year doesn't allow that.

Plus, there were places I wanted to see (Niagara Falls, for one--and the llama drill team in Maine), experiences I wanted to have (golfing with a llama for a caddy and swimming in the ocean with my dog), and people I wanted to meet. I saw some of the places and people on my list and had several hoped-for experiences and some unexpected ones along the way as well.

How could I afford to do this you ask? I sold my house and put my stuff in storage. So many kids these days take a year off after high school or college. Frankly, I wanted to take a year-long sabbatical and took off to see the wizard (so to speak). I emerged from the experience renewed, refreshed and with a clear idea of who I am and what I want to do with my life here in my new home of Portland.

So, by now you may be asking: "Who is this Karen O'Keefe?" I was married and have one son. I grew up in Los Angeles and vicinity with an English mother and a father in the entertainment industry. Sadly, both my parents are dead, but my son, Rodger (who has returned from a six-year stint in the service) is doing quite well as an English major at the University of Oregon. Living here two hours north of him is a real treat.

I am a writer by profession (technical, marketing, newspaper, magazine, you-name-it), and I also, until last fall, taught English part-time at local colleges and universities in Dayton, Ohio (technical and business writing, public speaking, technical and professional editing). Over the past few years, I have dabbled in stand-up comedy and I write a regular book-review column for the UJ News. The Union Jack News is America's largest British newspaper. I took over the column after my mother died of lung cancer.

Our long trip was educational, fun, interesting, sad, surprising, funny, shocking, and exciting. If you get a chance, read John Steinbeck's Travels with Charlie. My friend Bonnie gave me a copy of this book when I began hatching my plan--and the book was an inspiration. Steinbeck traveled cross-country with his poodle during a time of political and economic upheaval. You might have noticed that we're experiencing tough political and economic times ourselves. Reading about his trip has made me see details on our trip that I might not otherwise have noticed.

You may also want to read Lewis Carroll's The Hunting of the Snark -- which I see as my reminder to experience wonder, have a quest, and enjoy the journey.

Last, I am continuously grateful to Randy Pausch -- a man I never met, but discovered through YouTube.com. He died recently, but his story and his determination to enjoy life despite being dealt a fatal blow made me get off my sorry butt and get to work on achieving my childhood dreams. Read his book, The Last Lecture. It will help you get through these tough times.

Me, I ran away from home....