Some things happen when you least expect them.
It was the end of 2014, a year I finally got over my ex-boyfriend, made wonderful memories during a few summer trips and was actively searching for a way to relocate from my hometown. Since the age of 10, after returning from London, where I spent a significant part of my childhood, I was planning the so-called Great Escape. The only thing I didn't know was where to go. Little did I know back then, that a problem of choice would haunt me in all aspects of my life, particularly when the variety is extensive... But that's another story.
Looking back, I find it a bit silly now, that a child of my age was so rebellious against her parents' decision to move back to a place we originated from. But those were the middle of the 90s, Ukraine was undergoing a restructuring phase after obtaining the long-awaited independence from the Soviet Union, so 'perks' like cutting electricity and water for a couple of hours during the day, shortage of food, spikes in criminal activity were part of our daily lives.
But can you explain a serious matter like relocation to a child? All I could think of was missing the simple things: spring in Hyde Park, a hotdog at the zoo or a bite of peperami during lunchtime at elementary school. Boy oh boy, how I craved that processed meat snack over the next 20 years!!! Back in my new reality, all I could find in the local supermarkets were half rotten fruits & veggies, yellow chicken flesh, displayed in the open air with no cooling systems & occasionally some Turkish biscuits from Ülker.
Over the course of time, Ukraine significantly changed, becoming a beautiful country with a developing, yet promising economy, home to many international companies, IT hubs and a plentiful amount of start-ups. Everything was there... Except for my will to stay.
It's hard to say if it was a child in me that was protesting, my career aspirations or just my practical side, but I never saw myself living in Eastern Europe. Years passed and while I was searching for my career path, I got myself into some pretty awkward situations.
In this space, I would be talking about my career path, the trials and tribulations of hunting for a job & finally finding ways to get out of the corporate environment.
Disclaimer: I'm not there yet, just tying up the laces.
ta-ta for now!