Day 1
There is something about traveling. Before I leave I find myself on a mission to make sure everything is perfect at home. Floors are swept. Bathrooms are cleaned. Beds are made. I love you’s are said. This will be the longest trip I have taken – not only the furthest in distance but also the longest amount of days.
Today I travel to Gaborone Botswana. It is an opportunity I most likely never would have had if it were not for my new job. It is hard to believe that just nine months ago I was ready to go to work at Lowes, or anywhere really, because I was so unhappy in my job. I dreamed (and still do) of making it big as an author and living in a small house near the water writing all day. But being a successful author doesn’t happen overnight, so instead of continuing to be unhappy I got some excellent coaching, did some serious soul-searching, and started applying for jobs. I was opening myself up to all options, to include going back to the PD, but I really wanted to work with law enforcement. My blood really does bleed blue and I needed to be back with my people.
It was a long process but I ultimately ended up going back to training law enforcement full-time. And it feels like I’m home. My 2ndMonday on the job my boss and I were talking and she asked if there was anything that would prevent me from traveling to Africa. In September. Other than no passport, there was nothing holding me back. I was able to get what I needed I and am sitting on a plane writing this. 
I’m traveling with one of the women who interviewed me as well as a guy from my branch. We are going to teach a block on crime scene processing with an emphasis on sex crimes. Right up my alley, right?! The plan is to develop a second week focused on gender-based violence investigations. Time will tell if it will come to fruition.
In the meantime, I plan to make the most of every second. What many people don’t know is Africa is a place I have wanted to go. Violence against women is so prevalent around the world, but especially in Africa. Many years ago, inspired by The King Effect (a blog I followed), I often daydreamed about somehow traveling to Africa and making a difference in the lives of those effected by sexual violence. Maybe this is my chance to do just that.