Vagabonding continues.
Of course I got a cold the day before I moved out three weeks ago. Sniffle and cough all day Friday and Saturday, but alas, I did it with the help from many. What great friends I have! I could never have done any of this without their love and support. For now, I’m comfortable in a beautiful, art-filled home that I share with one of my colleagues and her husband and we’re having FUN!!! These past few weeks have been a precious time for our friendship to deepen. We have confessed denial about the fact that I’ll be leaving soon. I’ve been grocery shopping at their neighborhood Sprouts and it feels like I’m in a whole new city! By the time I understand this neighborhood’s restaurants and shops it will be time to move on . . .
Simultaneously with my adventures are the adventures of my daughter who graduated from college last week! Soon, she will also be moving to a new city. Her life of school projects and part-time work is beginning to transition into interviews and apartment searches; a new beginning for both of us. We have our fingers crossed that she will find a small apartment that I can share with her for about 6 weeks, before I leave the country for Istanbul.
My current school year is winding down. Our Senior class will graduate next week. These sweet kids were in first grade when I started teaching at this school. I’ve watched them grow up into beautiful, young adults. Interviews are taking place in the art department as our Head is searching for my replacement. I only have a few weeks left of a wonderful teaching career in this place. As I reminisce, I am thankful.
I’ll be moving to vagabond location #2 next week after one more garage sale at another friend’s home. I was ready to set my few, remaining household items out for bulk trash, but she swept everything up and took it to her home, confident it would sell in her neighborhood’s community garage sale next weekend. It sure won’t hurt to have a few more dollars in my pocket.
I’m working daily to close down, or temporarily suspend, my American life. This means banking accounts, final doctor and dentist appointments, utility refunds, updating my Will, meetings with my accountant, address changes, the selling of my car, communications with insurance groups, investment groups and financial planners. There’s a lot to do! Even so, I’m still excited! What an adventure this will be.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Just the other day, in fact it was yesterday, I thought of you, dear Anita and wondered if your school year has already ended. so good to get an update on your life. I have just returned from a concert in the Philhamonie – Scotish and British Classic. I am still full of music. I was introduced to a beautiful piece: Soctish Fantasies by Max Bruch. A revelation, filled a tiny hole of a vast sea of ignorance.
I am glad you are still excited in the midst of endless burocracy. It cannot be easy to say good bye to all of your friends and family and familiar places.
I think of you
love
Claudia
Dear Claudia,
It is so good to hear from you! You described the concert beautifully! I wish we could have gone there together! I’m aching to see you. I am still excited – – most definitely! I’ll be there in August. We need to plan when we can see each other. 🙂 Christmas in Germany? 🙂
Hi, Shelley! Happy Mother’s Day to you! Keep in touch, y’hear?
Just wanted to wish you a Happy Mothers Day to you and your Mother! I will read this later..got to run for now! Xoxo