Disparate Paths and an Introduction

posted 1st February 2011    Written by: Amanda    CATEGORY: Amanda, Creativity, Family

INTRODUCING AMANDA

It was time to get out. I wasn’t sure where the road was going to take us but we needed a fresh start, like, yesterday.


I sat down in the passenger-side seat of my silver Toyota, desperately fighting back tears and failing miserably. I clutched at the box that held my officely possessions and just… stared. My then-fiancé placed a comforting hand on mine. In 2008, at twenty-two and twenty-six, we’d both been terminated from our positions as programmers for our rather boisterous opinions regarding unpaid overtime and the slave-labour hours we felt that we were working.

“We hated working there anyway,” he said, turning the engine on and gently pulling out of the parking lot. “It’s better this way. Now we can move to Vancouver, just like you wanted.”

I didn’t have the courage to say that I had no idea what it was that I wanted; all I knew was that it was no longer an option to stay. Our hometown had gotten too small. Our career options as programmers were limited to three major arteries within the city. It was time to get out. I wasn’t sure where the road was going to take us but we needed a fresh start, like, yesterday.

Fast-forward to a year later, just before my twenty-third birthday.

I glanced down at the wedding rings on my left hand but my resolve didn’t waver. If he was determined to find himself then so was I. I packed the final load into the $600 Honda Accord that I’d bought from some dude in North Vancouver before hugging my husband goodbye. He was on the path to becoming a police officer. I wasn’t really on a path at that point but I didn’t have the courage to tell him that the last eight months had been a waste. I’d been toying with the option of becoming a Real Designer, possibly of the Industrial variety; I’d always been interested in how products are designed. Sadly, the “education” left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

And so, I was returning to the city that had reared me in the first place.

I’d taken a job in a career centre. It paid well, I liked my work, and I enjoyed the people I worked with. As I worked with clients, I found my entrepreneurial spirit to be alive and ass-kicking; I began to daydream about opening up a business and actually doing web design for money. By the time July 2009 had hit, the husband had put his police quest aside so that I could come back home. By January 2010, I had established myself as a WordPress designer and developer with a party-time demeanour and a “sure can” attitude. People from all around the globe were asking for my services and I was flying high.

For a time, anyway.

Transitioning in and out of love with my business, I decided to dive head-first into a moonlighting career as a game journalist. I attended conventions, conducted interviews with developers and designers, and wrote my little heart out. Life was the best it could have been for the fleeting months when I was able to focus my fire on writing. When the money stopped rolling in for my business, I rolled over and attempted to reconnect.

Burn out hit me. Rock-bottom came next. I fumbled around, looking for signs of the end of this intellectual and emotional purgatory. The little stick – yes that little stick – said a mouthful when I found out that rock-bottom had actually just been a kink in the cycle. Mine, to be precise.

As I claw my way out of a Quarter-Life Crisis, I’m also grappling with the implications of “mama-to-be” without letting on that I’m just as panicked as excited. Weaving my way through the intertwining (and seemingly disparate) paths of “entrepreneur” meets “mama” meets “twentysomething” is a journey that I’m looking forward to sharing with all of you.

Bookmark and Share
Comments (38)

38 Responses to “Disparate Paths and an Introduction”

  • Renee Says:
    February 1st, 2011 at 9:15 am

    GAME JOURNALIST? Way cool. I might have to pick your brain this semester. I'm taking a class on videogames and rhetoric. What a great intro to Season 4!

  • amandafarough Says:
    February 1st, 2011 at 9:48 am

    Mmmm… video games and rhetoric. Anytime you wanna talk, sugar, you can find me on the Twitter machine. :]

  • Bridget Says:
    February 1st, 2011 at 10:09 am

    You know what I love about your generation? You have somehow transcended the internalized BS that a crisis means that you've done something wrong or that you are somehow inferior.
    The kinks are just kinks. You are brilliant, and I wish I had your wisdom and commitment to life when I was your age!

  • Jo Missoula Says:
    February 1st, 2011 at 10:35 am

    Don't panic! Life has a way of moving forward, even when we don't think we're ready. All you can do is move with it and enjoy what you can. Sweet baby faces are also great calm inducers.

  • Kate Says:
    February 1st, 2011 at 10:38 am

    This a beautiful introduction! I can't wait to read more about what's next for you over these 6 months. And also super excited for you and the little bun in your oven!! :)

  • Big L Says:
    February 1st, 2011 at 11:10 am

    Oooh, I'm excited to dive into this gem of a story more. So many questions….so much has gone on, turned upside down and sideswiped you in the last couple of years….I can't wait to share the next 6 months with you!

  • Hannah Says:
    February 1st, 2011 at 1:10 pm

    So excited for the new season of bloggers! I loved this introduction and your writing. Can't wait to read more. Happy Tuesday!

  • Jean Huang Photography Says:
    February 1st, 2011 at 1:23 pm

    Very well-written, Amanda! I can see myself wanting to read every post of yours.

    Hey, I've been on a journey and still am. What can I say? I'm restless.

    I was a biology major. While pursuing a Ph.D., I switched gear and went on to get a M.S in Accountancy. Thinking I was finally settled and on my way to doing what I meant to do this life, I found new passion – photography – after a fairly successful career in the public accounting world helping large companies (including the stint with the so-called Big 4 firms). Heck, some thought I would become a female partner one day (yeah, being a woman up there is still a big deal).

    Anyway, I hope many of your ladies can relate. When something is boiling in your heart, you can't quench the urge but to follow it. So, here I am, capturing the beauty in life and make a difference to people, one picture at a time.

    Amanda, be faithful that you are armed with the skills to handle whatever life throws your way and, actually, great things will happen down the road!

  • marianschembari Says:
    February 1st, 2011 at 1:30 pm

    SQUEEEEEAL!!! I'm so excited your here, Amanda! Can't wait to read the rest of your story :)

  • Ashley Says:
    February 1st, 2011 at 1:49 pm

    Amanda, you're so courageous and awesome! Thanks for the open and honest post.

  • Lauriane Says:
    February 1st, 2011 at 1:54 pm

    I love the way you write, your style and your story… it's kinda like reading a book but you won't close it until you finish the chapter… wait, next chapter… wait wait! one last chapter!! and so on… I can't wait to read what's next!!
    Oh and congrats on that little bundle of joy!! :)

  • Mak Says:
    February 1st, 2011 at 2:33 pm

    Beautifully written!

  • Habbala Says:
    February 1st, 2011 at 4:30 pm

    Best kick off to our season EVER. Can't wait to read more from you lady.

  • Alisha Says:
    February 1st, 2011 at 7:04 pm

    Oooooo. I look forward to what's coming next :)

  • Katie [blogs] Says:
    February 1st, 2011 at 7:33 pm

    Burn-out, a feeling I'm starting to know all-too-well. It's amazing how long we spend doing things we really don't like and how much time that takes away from the things we love. And ironically, all of the things we love, don't even get done while we're doing the things we don't like.

    Follow that?

    Simply put: You rock, you're awesome, and keep doing things you love, mmkay?

  • asummermoon Says:
    February 1st, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    Amanda I love the flow of your introduction your story sounds… so familiar to me except I was crying in my silver Nissan lol I wish you the best with baby and life I will def follow and I hope both of our stories unfold into something wonderful.

  • Juliana Says:
    February 2nd, 2011 at 9:06 am

    SO looking forward to hearing more of your story. I wish I'd had the grace under fire that you seem to have when I was 24!!

  • amandafarough Says:
    February 2nd, 2011 at 9:54 am

    Very "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy". DON'T PANIC.

    I promise, I'll try not to.

    But I will anyway. <3

  • amandafarough Says:
    February 2nd, 2011 at 9:55 am

    Bridget, I could squish you.

    So I will.

    *e-squish*

  • amandafarough Says:
    February 2nd, 2011 at 9:56 am

    I can't wait to read what you've got, sugar. <33

  • amandafarough Says:
    February 2nd, 2011 at 9:56 am

    I'm JUST reading your intro now. Mmmm… delicious Canadian intro… <3

  • amandafarough Says:
    February 2nd, 2011 at 9:57 am

    Jean, this is perfect. Switching gears more times than you care to count? Check. Following your heart, even though it's a bit uncomfy? Check. Onward and upward, lady. <3

  • amandafarough Says:
    February 2nd, 2011 at 9:57 am

    Eeeeeee! I have the mad love for youuuu.

  • amandafarough Says:
    February 2nd, 2011 at 9:59 am

    Best compliment evar! I'm so glad that I can tantalize and story-weave for you. :]

  • amandafarough Says:
    February 2nd, 2011 at 9:59 am

    I can't wait to read YOURS. Mwah. <3

  • amandafarough Says:
    February 2nd, 2011 at 10:00 am

    Oh yeah, sugar. I'm there with you. I'm making it my biznez to not sour my newfound of my biznez.

    Keep on keepin' on, amirite?

  • amandafarough Says:
    February 2nd, 2011 at 10:01 am

    Shhhh… it's all an artfully crafted facade. Also, I'm 153. I look good for my age. But shhh, it's a secret.

  • Natalie Says:
    February 2nd, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    I am excited to hear so much more your story has so many layers already. The next six months should be exciting and there will certainly be growth ;-)

  • Kahea Says:
    February 3rd, 2011 at 10:00 am

    I'm so excited to read more about your journey — both as a 20-something emerging from her QLC and as a mommy-to-be!

  • Ronna Says:
    February 3rd, 2011 at 2:00 pm

    Amanda: As beautiful as ever in this venue, your own, and on behalf of mine. I LOVE that you're here, that you've connected with Molly, and that you're telling your story in such powerful, poignant ways. So much on the way for you in every single way possible. I'm deeply grateful to be your client…and your friend.

  • Lindsey Says:
    February 4th, 2011 at 9:43 am

    Game journalist, entrepreneur, QLC rocker, momma to be? Excited to read your journey Amanda! Welcome :)

  • erinmakesitwork Says:
    February 4th, 2011 at 6:10 pm

    I, too, can't wait to find out what's next in your story.

  • Molly_Hoyne_Mahar Says:
    February 7th, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    "You know what I love about your generation? You have somehow transcended the internalized BS that a crisis means that you've done something wrong or that you are somehow inferior."

    Hallelujah! We have been recognized! XO

  • Molly_Hoyne_Mahar Says:
    February 7th, 2011 at 8:03 pm

    I so agree with you Lauriane. This was totally a winning submission. Love you Amanda and your tiny person to be!

  • Molly_Hoyne_Mahar Says:
    February 7th, 2011 at 8:07 pm

    Are you making fun of me, Katiepants? Cause we all know I say, mmkay, way, way too much…. :)

  • Molly_Hoyne_Mahar Says:
    February 7th, 2011 at 8:10 pm

    I'm so glad she's here as well. Love all around.

  • Katie [blogs] Says:
    February 7th, 2011 at 8:31 pm

    Me? Make fun of you? Would I ever do that?

    Okay, I would. But I wasn't here, mmmkay? :)

  • amandafarough Says:
    February 7th, 2011 at 9:17 pm

    I'm grateful to you and your eternal support. After all, you've been with me and violetminded since pretty much the get-go. You've seen the ugly. You've seen the beautiful. And yet, you're still willing to take chances on me. So, y'know, grateful doesn't even begin to cover it.

Leave a Reply

name*


email* (will not be published)


website


comments