Selfishness is the New Selflessness

Earlier this year I realized I needed to fulfill my dream of seeing the world's last remaining Mountain Gorillas...and while I'm at it, I figured I might as well go immerse myself in a Spanish-speaking country (something I've longed to do!)...and once I'm bilingual and if I still have time & money, maybe I should also go on down to Machu Picchu! What am I waiting for? I'm single, child-free, pet-free, debt-free, mortgage-free, and presumingly about half-way through my life. The time for my dreams to come true is now...so here I go!


To do list:
- Request one-year leave of absence from my teaching job. Granted.
- Convince my mother that I'll be safe. Done.
- Move out of my apartment and put "stuff" in storage. Done.
- Figure out how not to deplete my entire savings. TBD.

It's hard to feel free when you have a U-Haul FULL of stuff!

My first month of freedom was spent sleeping, celebrating with friends and moving out of my apartment. Then I headed to New England for three weeks of fun with some of my favorite people. I experienced a magical two days of music at the Newport Folk Festival...and then spent a few days in Wellfleet, my favorite childhood summer vacation spot. Spent the next two weeks creating special memories with my family around Massachusetts and New Hampshire, while also eating as much New England food as humanly possible. I've gained 20 pounds over the last two months, but I don't care. I'm the happiest I've ever been.

Lake Winnipesaukee reggae festival for my Grandma Mary's 87th birthday celebration!