Often it can be hard to determine just where the time goes. However, for me at this juncture in life, I know exactly where the time is going. People and packing. Those two things at the moment are not leaving a lot of time to write.
Nevertheless, I want to catch you up a bit on what's happening. The final papers for the sale of the house are signed. In two days our wonderful house will belong to another family! I'm sure they will enjoy it as much as we have!! We are able to stay an extra 2 weeks (part of the sale contract) to finish the packing and say our good-byes.
We are making steady progress on selling some of our belongings and packing up the rest. That steady progress is all thanks to Brian! He also knows I can get overwhelmed by all of this, therefore, what I need to deal with is brought in only in small sections. That way I just have this little bit to deal with right in front of me. The garage and the big picture are not something I have to delve into so I can make my steady progress bit by bit. I don't know what I'd do without him! Not planning on finding out!!
The people part has a much sadder tone to it. And yet, I don't look at it as a total cutting off of relationships! I can't deny it will be different but there is skype and actual visits, which I trust will go both ways!
I'm also excited for the new adventures ahead. What kind of house will we find? What communities will we get plugged into? Life in the tropics, who knows what that's like?! Ocean water I can swim in!! Lots and lots of sun, especially for Brian. :) So much more I'm sure with some ups and downs along the way. After all, bumps and twists and turns are part of life, and an adventure! Time will tell.
What's up with you?
Showing posts with label decision process. Show all posts
Showing posts with label decision process. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Saturday, June 02, 2012
Mixed Emotions
I'm certainly a bit overdue. I'd say that there are primarily two reasons. I have been busy with all these upcoming changes, but as usual the biggest reason I haven't been writing is that I'm processing. Yes, processing the changes ahead. The house was well received judging by the fact that we had 7 offers within a week! So we are definitely moving, having accepted an offer over the listing price. :-)
There are so many emotions, and they range far and wide. A lot of wonderful things have happened in my life here in California. Let alone I've met some awesome people. Lifelong friends don't come along every day. It's difficult to leave such a place and not have mixed emotions.
I've visited numerous places in the States, but I've only lived in two states - Washington and California. I am a west coast girl. The US is so big there are many cultural climates, if you will, within it. When I visited Memphis, TN, probably 20 years ago, the money was the same as WA and the language was sort of the same. But it felt like the similarities to my Seattle home stopped there. Florida, where we are headed, is not the deep South, but geographically and otherwise it's a long way from California.
I can't imagine my home being anything other than the west coast. It's strange. There is a tearing of sorts in me to leave this side. It's one thing to live in Europe, which I did for 12 years. But that's not some other place in America. Funny how my roots are so well established without me fully realizing it. That being said, I am excited about the adventure of it all. We are also going to be able to live well under our monthly income. It may sound odd to be excited about that, but I am! California is expensive. We can live here obviously since we have been but no frills. Our expenses here also didn't allow for any of life's surprises. And life tends to throw a curve ball or two from time to time.
It feels right to make these changes on a practical level. The emotional side goes back and forth.
There are so many emotions, and they range far and wide. A lot of wonderful things have happened in my life here in California. Let alone I've met some awesome people. Lifelong friends don't come along every day. It's difficult to leave such a place and not have mixed emotions.
I've visited numerous places in the States, but I've only lived in two states - Washington and California. I am a west coast girl. The US is so big there are many cultural climates, if you will, within it. When I visited Memphis, TN, probably 20 years ago, the money was the same as WA and the language was sort of the same. But it felt like the similarities to my Seattle home stopped there. Florida, where we are headed, is not the deep South, but geographically and otherwise it's a long way from California.
I can't imagine my home being anything other than the west coast. It's strange. There is a tearing of sorts in me to leave this side. It's one thing to live in Europe, which I did for 12 years. But that's not some other place in America. Funny how my roots are so well established without me fully realizing it. That being said, I am excited about the adventure of it all. We are also going to be able to live well under our monthly income. It may sound odd to be excited about that, but I am! California is expensive. We can live here obviously since we have been but no frills. Our expenses here also didn't allow for any of life's surprises. And life tends to throw a curve ball or two from time to time.
It feels right to make these changes on a practical level. The emotional side goes back and forth.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Through the Tunnel? Oh, Yeah!!
I've left you hanging a bit since my last post, or perhaps you thought I was hit by that light (which was followed by a train) as it came racing to meet me when I was only half way though the tunnel? No matter what you thought, it's been a while since I wrote and at this moment I'm coming to you from sunny Florida!!
Brian snagged us a couple of great ticket deals and we left for Florida on the 8th of May. He got the tickets about 3 weeks prior to our departure so we had plenty of time to finish working on and staging the house before then...not! Well we thought there was plenty of time but we finished all the little details the day before we left. The house looks amazing if I do say so myself! :-) Not very lived in but amazing and very spacious! Of course, that's the idea - for people to imagine themselves living there and see there is room to spread out. We've done our part of the process. Tomorrow it will be officially listed and able to be viewed online.
Now we are in Florida relaxing and doing a bit of scouting. The trip was supposed to be all about scouting out the possible new land, but we are so beat from the prior six weeks that it's just as much about relaxing and recuperating. Hanging out by the pool has been tough. Actually, we feel that's an integral part of Florida living, so naturally that part of the trip is really about scouting! After all, the question is - do we like that part of the Florida lifestyle? Hmmmm. So far so good!
No hard and fast decisions at this time. It's a big move so it's not to be taken lightly. I'm rather enjoying the process at the moment! :-)
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Coffee and the Expat (?) Process
Although, I had to wait until home before I could make some specialty coffee that I bought there. It is called De Olla and it is particular to the Yucatan, as I understand it. It comes ground with cinnamon and sugar. While chatting, I shared some with a friend. I have to say it was suspect even upon opening the bag -- the mixture was not remotely dark and rich as I like my coffee beans. Sure there is cinnamon added but... Neither one of us would really call it a coffee drink, even though there was a hint of coffee. There was a very pleasant sweet and spicy flavor that was really more tea like, in my opinion. So not objectionable but definitely not coffee!
We are so glad we finally made it to Merida after all the research we'd done. Even before going though, we had pretty much decided it would be too hot for us. Assumption confirmed! We loved the city and the people, so warm and welcoming. Unfortunately Brian did not feel well most of the time we were there. :( It's virtually impossible to know why, exactly. However, the experience alone spoke volumes to both of us. When this happens, and it will from time to time, do we want to be in a foreign country struggling to communicate, or just without our little conveniences that make life easier?
We really thought Panama was next on the list. Now we are looking within the boundaries of "home." Although, nothing is settled until we are settled. We are still in no rush to make a decision, but we hope the house is ready to go up for sale by the end of April. It's still an adventure even within the States. We just don't have to do it in another language.
Sunday, February 05, 2012
Adventure's Roadmap - The Process Part 2
The picture that started it all!
I mean doesn't that pool and environment look inviting? I figured it was over budget (which it WAY was) but I couldn't resist looking just for fun and pleasure! Although perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself! (To see The Process - Part 1 click here.
That city which is 20K inland from the gulf coast is Merida, Mexico. Would I be bored there? I decided to take a look. OK, I come to find out that it's a city of almost a million people!! Well, there must be something to do there! I did a bit of research but in typical fashion a big part of the initial phase began with a perusal of the real estate. The picture above was a "hook" shot on the first page of a realtor's site under "featured listings." With one click I was whisked away into Spanish Colonial Architecture as I've never experienced. So many of the renovated homes are colorful, joyful and, in my opinion, works of art. I was hooked! (To see more pictures and a description of the home pictured above click here.)
In several previous posts I revealed my near obsession with the colonial architecture of Merida. I scoured a dozen or so different realty sites - for months! I got to know many properties, and they were easily recognizable to me as they appeared on other sites. Some I fell in love with. After so much time the inevitable SOLD sign would appear on some of MY properties! "Oh no!! All the good places will be gone before we get there!" I'm disappointed to see one of my favorites get sold because I just know it would have been perfect for us.
That sounds silly perhaps but this was part of relaxing and just enjoying the process. I've yet to even set foot in Merida and here I was getting disappointed if a special house was sold. So I let go and enjoyed the pictures, video tours and learning more about the city and it's neighborhoods. Of course to actually start looking for a property in another country was the beginning. Then, there was migration for reasons like cost and environment. I changed locales a few times. However, Merida seemed to fit the bill. This must be the place! Or is it? It finally sank in during the phase of seeing "my" houses sold - this was a process, a journey. No decisions have been made, even yet. There's still more to come!
To see past posts with Spanish Colonial Architecture and my fascination with these gems click on the label entitled such. For The Process - part 3 click here.
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| La Calle Escondida |
I mean doesn't that pool and environment look inviting? I figured it was over budget (which it WAY was) but I couldn't resist looking just for fun and pleasure! Although perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself! (To see The Process - Part 1 click here.
That city which is 20K inland from the gulf coast is Merida, Mexico. Would I be bored there? I decided to take a look. OK, I come to find out that it's a city of almost a million people!! Well, there must be something to do there! I did a bit of research but in typical fashion a big part of the initial phase began with a perusal of the real estate. The picture above was a "hook" shot on the first page of a realtor's site under "featured listings." With one click I was whisked away into Spanish Colonial Architecture as I've never experienced. So many of the renovated homes are colorful, joyful and, in my opinion, works of art. I was hooked! (To see more pictures and a description of the home pictured above click here.)
In several previous posts I revealed my near obsession with the colonial architecture of Merida. I scoured a dozen or so different realty sites - for months! I got to know many properties, and they were easily recognizable to me as they appeared on other sites. Some I fell in love with. After so much time the inevitable SOLD sign would appear on some of MY properties! "Oh no!! All the good places will be gone before we get there!" I'm disappointed to see one of my favorites get sold because I just know it would have been perfect for us.
That sounds silly perhaps but this was part of relaxing and just enjoying the process. I've yet to even set foot in Merida and here I was getting disappointed if a special house was sold. So I let go and enjoyed the pictures, video tours and learning more about the city and it's neighborhoods. Of course to actually start looking for a property in another country was the beginning. Then, there was migration for reasons like cost and environment. I changed locales a few times. However, Merida seemed to fit the bill. This must be the place! Or is it? It finally sank in during the phase of seeing "my" houses sold - this was a process, a journey. No decisions have been made, even yet. There's still more to come!
To see past posts with Spanish Colonial Architecture and my fascination with these gems click on the label entitled such. For The Process - part 3 click here.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
What a Process!
I've mentioned that we have a new adventure ahead of us, namely selling the house and looking for our new home. It all started 13+ months ago!
Did we decide to move that long ago? Absolutely not! It began by randomly watching a House Hunters International show - a fractional ownership of a vacation home. I didn't know such a thing existed. I'd heard of timeshares but had no interest in that. It's important for Brian to travel during the bad weather months, perhaps then get some relief. He can at least be warm, and there comes an emotional renewal with the traveling even if it's not a cure. In any case, we travel. Can we spend less in the long run with fractional ownership than by spending money on hotels and restaurant food? An interesting prospect and I went to work researching.
No such luck finding that kind of ownership in the area we liked to return and visit. Hmmm. Could we buy something out right and then rent it the rest of the time, having it pay for itself? We like the Caribbean, doesn't everyone?! Checked out that for awhile but couldn't seem to make that work either. The prices were just on the edge of possible, but the consistency of rental income was doubtful.
Shifting gears and locations, we found some other areas that were beautiful, more affordable and quite rural. I thought, "Why not? This area is nice, too!" Then, one evening Brian and I "took a walk" via Google maps, and looked up and down the streets. Yup, very rural, no cute little cafes, and seemingly very quiet, too quiet. I'm not so big on the nightlife scene at this point in life but even I think I would be bored there. The beach is wonderful but...
Brian had always talked about this city about 20k inland, though I had never paid much attention. It was inland. I wanted the beach. Maybe I should take a look. After all, it's only 20k away from the beach. What's a half an hour travel?!
The process, thus far, takes us about 5 or 6 months into the past 13+ months. To be continued. :-)
(It did get continued! See Adventure's Roadmap - The Process Part 2)
Did we decide to move that long ago? Absolutely not! It began by randomly watching a House Hunters International show - a fractional ownership of a vacation home. I didn't know such a thing existed. I'd heard of timeshares but had no interest in that. It's important for Brian to travel during the bad weather months, perhaps then get some relief. He can at least be warm, and there comes an emotional renewal with the traveling even if it's not a cure. In any case, we travel. Can we spend less in the long run with fractional ownership than by spending money on hotels and restaurant food? An interesting prospect and I went to work researching.
 |
| The Internet is Great for Research! |
Shifting gears and locations, we found some other areas that were beautiful, more affordable and quite rural. I thought, "Why not? This area is nice, too!" Then, one evening Brian and I "took a walk" via Google maps, and looked up and down the streets. Yup, very rural, no cute little cafes, and seemingly very quiet, too quiet. I'm not so big on the nightlife scene at this point in life but even I think I would be bored there. The beach is wonderful but...
Brian had always talked about this city about 20k inland, though I had never paid much attention. It was inland. I wanted the beach. Maybe I should take a look. After all, it's only 20k away from the beach. What's a half an hour travel?!
The process, thus far, takes us about 5 or 6 months into the past 13+ months. To be continued. :-)
(It did get continued! See Adventure's Roadmap - The Process Part 2)
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Internal Processor
That's what computers have - internal processors. I'm not a computer; nevertheless I process feelings, ideas and thoughts internally. How many bloggers are internal processors? I'm wondering if we are the majority or most likely the minority. Or it's just a mixed bag because it is more dependent on if we like to write. It doesn't really matter, although I'm curious.
I've decided to continue writing at least for awhile. I'm curious to see what will happen with me, and perhaps interactions and connections will expand along the way. Life is full of surprises and now is not the time to put pressure or expectations on myself about what this blog must be or should be. Hopefully you'll bear with me! :)
I've decided to continue writing at least for awhile. I'm curious to see what will happen with me, and perhaps interactions and connections will expand along the way. Life is full of surprises and now is not the time to put pressure or expectations on myself about what this blog must be or should be. Hopefully you'll bear with me! :)
Monday, April 25, 2011
Anticipation
There has been a comment that this blog has been rather quiet lately. It's true! This means one of two things, generally speaking. The first - I'm processing something so I don't know what to write yet or it's too overwhelming to try and get it down in black and white. The second - I'm down and don't have the energy to write. April has been more of the first and a bit of the second.
I can tell you this, I'm feeling restless. The fall brought undetermined stirrings; January brought a couple new research directions, and April an acknowledgement of restlessness. All in all, a good progression and I think I need to fasten my seatbelt because it seems a new adventure is about to ensue.
I think the biggest thing I'm learning at the moment is to live in the moment. Brian is much better at this than I am. For some aspects of life, I like knowing the major direction for down the road a couple of years! Then that affects decisions in the present. But if I don't know the plan then I (unnecessarily) handicap myself in present day decision making, i.e. purchases - Do I look for a piece of furniture that we need for this house? Because I don't know if we'll be in this house. Silly I suppose and I put myself in limbo - no one else. I don't know how to live in limbo because I'm not in the present or the future!
I love a good roller coaster. When I'm riding one, I'm never anticipating the curve and drop that's a 100 yards away. Rather, I'm fully experiencing the curve, twist and turn I'm on by being jostled about, holding on and screaming with delight! I've always said I love a good adventure which by nature means I'm never sure what's coming up! Here I go enjoying the anticipation and excitement while living fully in the present!!
I can tell you this, I'm feeling restless. The fall brought undetermined stirrings; January brought a couple new research directions, and April an acknowledgement of restlessness. All in all, a good progression and I think I need to fasten my seatbelt because it seems a new adventure is about to ensue.
I think the biggest thing I'm learning at the moment is to live in the moment. Brian is much better at this than I am. For some aspects of life, I like knowing the major direction for down the road a couple of years! Then that affects decisions in the present. But if I don't know the plan then I (unnecessarily) handicap myself in present day decision making, i.e. purchases - Do I look for a piece of furniture that we need for this house? Because I don't know if we'll be in this house. Silly I suppose and I put myself in limbo - no one else. I don't know how to live in limbo because I'm not in the present or the future!
I love a good roller coaster. When I'm riding one, I'm never anticipating the curve and drop that's a 100 yards away. Rather, I'm fully experiencing the curve, twist and turn I'm on by being jostled about, holding on and screaming with delight! I've always said I love a good adventure which by nature means I'm never sure what's coming up! Here I go enjoying the anticipation and excitement while living fully in the present!!
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