The Beginning...

It all started about a year ago. I was 22, newly graduated, just waiting to get out there and use that degree my parents paid so much money for! But alas, the economy and the apparently laaaaaarge supply of experienced hospitality managers had different plans for me. So doing what any college graduate with that college loan payment hanging low over their head signed on to a good, full-time, desk job with all the required benefits and a lovely cubicle with a window view. Don't get me wrong, I'm very VERY grateful for this job and all that it has taught me. I love the people I work with and the people I work for. I'm just not cut out for a desk job, simple as that. I quickly realized this and began to wonder if I was about to sink into the "Springfield trap" that I heard about all through college. People would say to me, "Yea, Springfield is a great college town, but make sure you get out before you get too comfortable. It'll suck you in and before you know it you'll have been here 15 years." I panicked; this was the trap and I was falling in and all of a sudden I couldn't stand the thought being in Springfield, MO for yet ANOTHER year.*

Thus started, the plan.

*Someone pointed out to me that this could be offensive to my Springfield friends. So I would like to be very clear that the "trap" only applies to those who want to leave Springfield. If you want to stay forever, then stay! Whatever makes you happy, you should do it! :)