boot scoot'n & takin' flight...

After a process that took over a year and numerous hiccups, it is finally here. After all, an adventure wouldn't be much of one if it went smoothly. Some say things happen for a reason, and maybe one day I will be able to figure out what all the reasons were although some I may not want to figure out as there's something exciting about the mystery of it all. However, there were definitely events that got me here (some good, some bad but I wouldn't be learning if the bad weren't turned into positives).

There are a number of people that I have met in my travels that have made a dent in my life. Two stand out in this drastic decision I've made. The first was a woman (possibly mid-40s) who made large sums of money as an investment banker (managing director I think) in NY. She had a very small house on an island in Honduras that she opened up to strangers when the mood suit her. Although she was Caucasian, she would cook Asian fusion fare for extra money and more so, for the company. In my early 20s and with education and money ingrained in my head as signs of success, it always amazed me that she gave it all up to live a simple life in Honduras to scuba dive and socialize with strangers. The memory of her that I have was that she seemed so happy and content.

The second was a man I met in Spain, who traveled the world for work. It seemed so intriguing to get the opportunity to travel the world on someone else's dime. However, after traveling so much for work (albeit more domestic than international), I discovered that there is a significant difference to business vs. personal travel. As fate would have it, I kept in touch with him (well if you call once in a few years 'in touch' but I also believe close connections are those that aren't so high maintenance), and one day, he also decided to give it all up to be a scuba dive instructor for a few years. He now has his own firm where he can dictate his own life and career - how liberating. He lives simply and once told me that he stopped keeping personal effects as it was easier to be on the go. I also think sometimes personal effects hold us back from moving forward and exploring new things.

So with that, I stored practically everything, and with clothing, cowboy boots, and electronic gear (yes, it is the sign of the times that I need my computer, Kindle, ipod, cell, etc...sigh) in tow, I'm off to find the simple life (or perhaps the message is that I need to finish my scuba certification - I have been known to misread God's signs for me). My family decided to have a little sendoff party and surprised me with an ice cream cake with cake batter, strawberries, sweet cream, chocolate and any other flavor I noted I liked. Yummy!! And I love surprises!!

[And no, I have not packed yet even though my flight is less than 24 hours away - welcome to my life! I'm on island time, baby.]

So welcome to my adventure and my search for bliss and the simple life. I welcome all advice and feedback...enlighten me!!!