Pending Visa approval, I will be a resident of southern Spain from late January through early July in 2016!
The last two years I've given a "prediction" of the next year to come. In 2013 I said that 2014 would be a game-changer, and it was. Many events, both beautiful and devastating impacted my life and changed my point of view in a multitude of ways. In 2014 I said that 2015 would be the year of execution. In 2014 I did a lot of organizing and planning, and in 2015 I did a lot of achieving. I picked up two paid writing gigs and moved into an apartment on my own, without roommates, for the first time ever. I got a raise at my current job, and I completed 3 half marathons in three different states plus my first long-distance relay. Personally and professionally I made strides toward the life I wish to live.
I have a feeling that 2016 is going to be just phenomenal. I have so many goals to achieve. I want to see a new continent (Africa!), visit Portugal, Italy, Morocco, and Ireland for the first time, run a race in a new country, become fluent in Spanish, give full-time writing a heavy push, be a bridesmaid for the first time (actually, this one is inevitable, so the goal is to be a good one), be a better global citizen. I am out of breath just trying to fathom it all.
I feel that all my successes and all my failures have lead me to this decision. I will be a nanny for my absolutely gorgeous and endearing host family. A large part of my job will be teaching their young children how to speak English. Teaching, in any form, is an honor, and I know how important my role will be in their lives. In turn, I know how much more they will influence my life. I will also be attending class at a Spanish university, and I start class on my 25th birthday. I can't think of a better way to start my next year of life. In addition, my host city has a marathon in April, and you bet your sweetness that I'll be running it.
Leaving will be difficult. There are so many people I love. No one wants to up and leave their family and friends, but I know I am in the perfect time of my life for this opportunity. I am as unattached as they come right now. And six months really isn't that long in the grand scheme of things.
When I return in midsummer, I will have a fresh, blank canvas to start with, and for once I am happy to have no plans. I feel like the weight of trying to be successful has worn me down for so long, and now instead of aiming for success, I am aiming for happiness. Which is a success in itself.
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