2022 Wrap Up
2022 started with a promotion at a job that I had fallen into. By some luck, two of my superiors were leaving their positions. One superior reached her dream by being moved into the marketing department, and the other got fired. Looking back, that promotion was the catalyst for everything good that was heading my way. At the moment, though, I was so unhappy with the general direction of my life that I couldn't even celebrate. I was so low that I had convinced myself that the only way to navigate out of my blue cloud was to take this massive African/ European trip before starting in my new leadership role. So I begged my bosses to give me a month and a half off work to travel to Egypt, Italy, Greece, and wherever else my credit card would take me. Surprisingly my boss said yes. My time spent in Egypt was ethereal. I walked in that land of the pharaohs, left the land of the living to visit the tombs of the dead, went swimming in the Nile, and made memories that I will never forget. When my time in Egypt was over, I headed to the Cario airport to board my flight to Rome. As I checked my bags, the man working the counter looked at me, smirking, "You've been denied entry into Italy." Just like that, my world tour ended. I was back in the US, and the magic from the Nile had all but faded.
Kaylen in Egypt in front of Abu Simbel Temple.
Kaylen in Egypt at the Great Pyramids of Giza.
My attempt at escaping my mundane life was deemed unsuccessful. One night after a particularly grueling work shift, I came home and cried to my fiancé Reem. "I feel so unfulfilled." He looked at me with concern and hurt, "Is it me? Is our life together not enough?" "NO!" I exclaimed. "I feel unfulfilled with my job and how I treat myself. I've become complacent and have stopped developing." That conversation lasted hours, and then I had a breakthrough in the 3rd month of the conversation. Well, Reem had a breakthrough, "Kaylen you are a businesswoman. Look at everything you've done at your job and with Panoramic Ocean. You've learned so much through reading, podcasts, and asking questions. Would you ever consider going back to school and getting a business degree?"
I spent the summer of 2022 applying to graduate school, traveling with my Fiancé Reem to visit his family in Israel, seeing my own family in south Texas, and making memories with my friends.
Kaylen and Bronwyn swimming with sharks at the Texas State Aquarium.
Kaylen and her Fiancé Reem in Israel.
In summer I received THE acceptance letter. I was going back to school at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Oh, and even more iconic, so was my mom. We would be going back to school together. I was accepted into the Masters of Business Administration program (MBA) but was accepted on probationary terms. There were questions on whether or not a History major with prior work experience with animals would make for a successful businesswoman or even someone they would want to represent their university.
If you've ever seen the Tv show NCIS, you've heard very special agent Tony Dinozzo call someone "probie" as a reminder that they needed to prove themselves. The name "probie" echoed through my head every time I went to class, opened up blackboard, read my textbooks, and took my exams. Instead of letting the term probie cripple me, I allow it empowers me. It motivated me through every step of my classes. I went from probie to getting all A's, accepting a professional internship with Disney in spring 2023, and an internship with H-E-B in summer 2023. Wow, that was so much bragging, but after being lost at sea for two years, I've earned this pat on the back.
Kaylen accepting her position at the Walt Disney Company.
All this professional growth also came with so much personal growth. Acknowledging that my life was missing something opened my eyes to all aspects. I started pursuing activities that filled up my cup. I started going to a workout class called SPENGA. Seeing my friends and having a fun workout always makes me smile. I began to read again. Growing up, I loved reading until I started my undergraduate degree. Happy to say I love reading again. This year I read 17 books and my goal for 2023 is 24 books. My best friends from college set up a weekly facetime call. Seeing their faces every week gave me something to look forward to.
SPENGA sweats mid workout.
Ringing in 2023 with my day one Ms. Becca.
2022 was, seriously, undoubtedly the year of resilience. I learned so much about myself and the people around me that I love the most. This year renewed my passion for myself and Panoramic Ocean.
2023 I'm so ready for you!
