Ross Castle - Killarney, Ireland
“The goal isn’t to get to a place where you don’t work; the goal is to get to a place where you choose your work.”
My job is awesome. I kind of just fell into my faculty position and it has been truly amazing. I teach International Business for Tarleton State University, a proud member of the Texas A&M System. For 14 years this job has been challenging, inspiring, flexible, interesting and perfect for the life we have led here in Texas, raising our children. I got to travel the world with students and with other business professors. I was then able to bring those experiences into the classroom and inspire my students at home to go beyond their comfort zone to explore the world, too. It has been great! So why am I leaving? It’s time to do something new. I really want more – and Greg feels the same way. Not to be too dramatic about it but I really feel this is our calling – to go, learn, grow, share, and spread peace and understanding across cultures. We are excited. Reactions have been interesting. Everyone has been very positive. One friend said it’s a “gutsy move.” I love that. I’m glad we can still be gutsy.
We have always wanted to travel. Greg and I have known each other since first grade. We started dating in high school and for as long as I can remember, we have wanted to live abroad. We have enjoyed a remarkable life here in rural Texas but we have lived vicariously through others who have been expats and long-term world travelers. Not any more. Now is the time to do this. Our children are incredible. They are living their own dreams now and it is pure joy to watch them do what they love. They are ready to fly on their own. We are ready to spread our wings further, too.
We want more freedom! We have a love for wine and have built great travel itineraries to the US, France and Italy to learn more about wine and feed our passion. We really want to work a harvest but we have always been teaching in September and October during harvest season. Next year, we hope to be in the vineyards at this time of year. We’d love to be harvesting nebbiolo grapes in Piedmont. We’re taking the steps now to make it happen.
In the fall of 2017 we will be living in Europe and will no longer have a steady income, but we are not without a strategy to support ourselves. Next time I’ll share our plan for making ends meet while we live out our dreams!
In the meantime, what questions do you have for me?? What would you like to hear about as we make these bold moves? Make comments on this blog and ask me questions. Share our story and our website with everyone! Subscribe, below, to The Travel Coach blog and join our journey – it’s going to be awesome!