London, England
What is it about long term goals that makes them so much easier to take for granted? Four years ago my husband Ish came home from work excited about an option he could take at work. If he took a 20% pay cut for each of the next four years, he could get it all back in the fifth year without working a single day.
Four years on; one year off to do whatever he wanted.
Pair that with a spouse (that’s me) who can do her job from anywhere in the world and it was like handing a leprechaun a pot of gold.
Our minds raced with excitement. We knew exactly what we wanted: time to travel. We’d take the kids out of school, hit the road and introduce them to the world outside their comfortable neighbourhood surroundings. We’d hit the countries we’d always dreamed about but had seemed too far for a holiday (Australia) and double back to others where we’d promised to show the kids one day (South Africa). It was so easy then to dream big and to do nothing.
But now the four years are almost up.
In July 2011 we’re supposed to leave. The time for planning in earnest has begun and suddenly the world seems a lot bigger and places we took for granted as must visits (Bangkok, Dubai) have seen tough times politically and economically of late that have us questioning and rethinking and planning again.
Dubai: To go or not to go?
We’re no longer planning a trip with “two kids” – we’re planning a trip with our two kids who over the last four years have developed into two very distinct personalities that don’t always want to do what I think they should.
We’ve got a life in Canada that needs to be tidied and transformed to withstand a year without us living it.
And as it turns out 365 days isn’t enough time to go everywhere and do everything so there are some tough decisions ahead.
We’ve got less than 12 months to get it all together.
And we can use all the help we can get.
WOW. I’m speechless. Soon you’ll be embarking on a life-changing journey with your family that will undoubtedly be one of the best experiences. How thrilling!
Can I be your third kid and come too? ;)
I have a year to try and convince you not to go :) We’re so excited for you guys and look forward to flying around the world to meet you in some exotic place (but make sure there aren’t any squirels there).
This is going to be amazing! I wonder if it might not be better to consider quality over quantity of locations. Maybe instead of home schooling and bouncing around it might be interesting to spend the first half of the school year in one location and the second half in another.
You could experience the location more fully. The kids could go to school and make friends. Friends I’ll add that might even become life long friends. Long distance friendships are easier to maintain with the technology available to us today.
If you wanted to make it easy on them choose English speaking countries. Or do the first half in an English speaking country and up the ante for the second half by throwing a different language into the mix.
Amazing! This is definitely an opportunity of a life time. As I sit here in my hot, moderately air conditioned apartment studying to write yet another aptitude test – this time for entrance into the NY attorney’s fraternity (a.k.a the NY Bar), I wonder what it would be like to simply drop all this and travel instead. I am happy to hear about your upcoming adventures I hope to read about it every step of the way.
Signed,
Living vicariously through you!
Are you fricking kidding me? Travelling for a year? Sweet lord. Ok, I say Paris (for the bread, wine and cheese), Italy (for the pasta and wine), Spain (for the sangria)….are you getting a clear picture?
Thanks ladies. There are some great ideas here.
Kathy: Europe is iffy right now. It was at the top of our list to start: Love Italy, have always wanted to visit Spain and need to give Paris a second chance) but now it feels so close and accessible to home that I’m torn. I feel like we need to go to the places we couldn’t necessarily get to as easily. Still debating though.
Meah: That’s exactly why I wanted to do this blog. You know that I was in the same boat as you at one time (minus the NY bar! Congrats). I truly believe anyone can make this happen. I’m hoping this trip/blog will show people how and why.
Anne: Quality is top priority. We’ve already realized that we won’t see the WHOLE world on this trip. And the kids schooling is definitely a factor.
Jo: We’ll see you somewhere in the world. Promise!
A mother world: Come on down. The more the merrier. :)
FANTASTIC!!! I am so proud of you guys. Make it happen so I can read all about it. As a matter of fact, I am available in case you need a nanny. Unlike your friend, I remember Spain for the architecture & fine jewelry.
You are living the dream! Congrats…I love it!! What inspiration!!
Thanks Carol.