1.5 year shelf life

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm going to write a book and its going to be called "1.5 year shelf life by Tanith Oram". This came to me the other day while talking to Craig about my latest adventure, but first - let's start at the beginning.

I wasn't looking for another job, in fact I had consciously put off pursuing other careers altogether. My exact words to Craig were, "After this, I'm working for myself". 

2 weeks before the aforementioned adventure, I had met a lady at a party, a lady who would change my life, a lady who saw something in me that she believed was worth investigating in - me, in my dream position.  So I met with her Sales Director to hear more. We were talking about this proposed position and suddenly I found myself not only excited about the prospects but incredibly at peace. 

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I've got an insatiable desire to travel. I've never been outside of South Africa, not even to Robben Island - but boy do I wanna travel!  My fridge is strewn with collages of overseas destinations that I swoon over every few days. I recently read over my bucket list on my fridge, chuckling at "Hug a Moose and watch the Toronto Maple Leaf's in Canada" and "Eat a hot dog at a Lakers game".  Little did I know, that the Universe was listening and was transpiring to assist me.

You're probably wondering where the 1.5 year shelf life comes in? Well a couple years ago a recruitment agent told me that I wasn't worth the R12 000 salary I was asking for because I didn't have a degree and that my c.v was littered with 1-1.5 year terms at various companies. 

Now, while I always believed that my 'colourful' c.v was a reflection of my willingness to learn and better myself (considering we were sent off from the nest, sans money for a post-matric education) and now I was told otherwise and I almost believed him, but only long enough not to.

I always thought that I was able to do pretty much anything I put my mind to, that my personality, coupled with my 'can do' attitude offered more than money could afford. Long story short I had an option to either believe what that recruiter told me, or follow my dreams. I chose to prove him wrong and I have. This brings me to my personal Fairy Godmother - Donna McCallum. 

My dream to meet Donna came about after I read her book and spread news of her inspiration to all who would listen. I stood in her Dream Mapping workshop ready to find that one thing that I would do in my life, you know, that thing that you're meant to do. 

As the day came to a close we had to reflect on our thing - naming it if you will. A lady stands up and declares, "I want to bake professionally" and everyone applauds her. My friend Jonathan stands up, "I want to be the best professional events organiser and see New York" and yet again applause fills my ears as everyone cheers for his new found clarity. 
My heart is beating and I remember thinking "I'll just make something up, I mean how can this be a job, its just laziness". I had put down that I wanted to be a well known review blogger, travelling and reviewing hotels and spa's across SA. I wanted to take photographs of my adventures and inspire people. I wrestled with the idea of unabashedly declaring this dream versus just outright confessing to not having the slightest clue what my one thing really was. 

It was my turn now. I stood up, showed everyone my Dream Map and just broke down. When I say broke down, I mean snot, tears, heaving chest break down. The kind of Miley Cyrus spit and uncensored "WTF" moment. As I sobbed through my tears, others started choking up. They were clearly crying because of me, sarcastically mimicking my pain (LOL, of course they weren't). I had no conviction in my heart that this was it. Yes, I knew it was a nice fantasy but surely it wasn't 'corporate' nor 'adult' enough to be taken seriously.

I dismissed the workshop as a life lesson and a few years on I'm ok with just exploring my options until something sticks - and here I am. 

On the 11th of November I'm joining The Holiday Factory as the Brand Manager for 3 gorgeous and incredibly upmarket hotels in Mauritius.  I have every bit of experience and all the credentials for the post (sans travel which we will remedy soon) and it feels as if I've been groomed over my entire career for this opportunity. Every 1.5 shelf life job I've had has brought me to this point. 

So, guess who will be spending 4 nights in Mauritius for their induction? Me! And guess who will be on their way to the OR Tambo International Departures? Me! And guess who will head up blogs, tweets and PR for the group? Me! 

Now can you guess who is a happy little chappy, grateful to you Universe for the Divine timing and unexpected opportunity. Yep, me. 
One day, when I publish this book I will hopefully inspire people to never, ever give up on themselves, conform to what society believes is right or stop believing in their dreams.

Bon Voyage, Mon Petit!