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Have you ever had your entire life change in the link of an eye? Everything you've ever known to be correct completely shattered in only one minute? I have. And this is how. "We're letting you go," said my boss and director simultaneously. As soon as the words registered in my brain, I started seeing stars. "What?" I exclaimed, being unable to hold back any emotion. "It's just not working out." And with those words, my job, my entire life I had built post-grad was gone in an instant. I grabbed everything as quickly as possible and headed for the closest bar. "One tequila shot please," I told the bartender, in the most cliche way ever. I didn't know what to do, where to turn to, or who to talk to. Everyone knew about this coveted role and no one would would expect this to be the turnout only 6 months in. I had friends here, a beautiful apartment, my family, a new potential boyfriend, everything seemingly lined up perfect. What I did know, was that the next decision I made was going to change my life forever. The next day I reached out to a hostel that I had visited once before in the tiny island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. I had passed through on a day trip during vacation and years later was still thinking about this magical place. I figured I had nothing to lose when I emailed the owner asking if they happened to have any volunteer spots open... "Can you move here in 3 weeks?" was the response I got. Against what was probably my better judgement, I decided dismantling my life in Boston and leaving everyone and everything behind for this tiny island was my next move. I still remember the ride over in the 6 seater plane, seated between a newly married couple. I couldn't remember the last time I had felt that kind of electricity. Here I was, moving to an island in the Caribbean, leaving behind corporate everything to go fold sheets and scrub floors in a hostel. It was just as insane and poorly thought out as it sounded. And then I landed. I got to my new home, across this street no further than 10 feet from a pristine white sand beach. I could smell the ocean air from the front desk, saw turquoise blue waves crashing in the distance, and realized very quickly: I was home. The 2 and 1/2 months I spent on that beautiful island were nothing short of a dream. My days were spent learning how to shuck mangoes off of a tree with a machete, or following wild horses through the paths of the jungle. I was welcomed by some of the friendliest, kindest people I had ever met and soon became a part of their island family. My life was as perfect as the postcards we sold at the hostel. And within one week, it was once again shattered. This time not by my boss, but by mother nature. The worst season of hurricanes hit the Caribbean in history and within days, my island paradise, the place that had become a new home to me, was gone.