And just like that it’s done.

Work is over for nine and a half months*. One week to pack up our lives and put what we need into our backpacks to live for three quarters of a year.

It’s been a long time coming, and I know some were skeptical, but I knew it would happen. Sometimes you just need to be patient. Besides, I like nothing better than someone telling me I can’t do something to make it happen 😁

It’s funny though, standing on the brink. It’s all ahead of you and I can’t wait to get started. I’ve been bouncing A LOT today. But also, in some ways, right now is the best bit. All the possibilities and none of the downsides. No sibling arguments, no stressful running through the airport to catch a flight, no arguments that come from lack of sleep, just love and laughter.

Don’t get me wrong – I know that I am so blessed to live in such a wonderful place – a Thai friend called it Disneyland when we were away last time. And at first when I heard that, I didn’t get it, but in the past year, walking around and really seeing where I live I get it now. And it’s the best. We are so lucky in so many ways – the weather, the wonderful people, the food and culture from every corner of the world, the freedom of being able to walk around your own neighbourhood, the sheer beauty of it all. Sometimes you need to go away to appreciate what you have, and I hope that’s something the kids learn.

Not that we have the best of everything – there are soooo many ways to improve and we should never stop trying. I was talking to some work friends about Japanese onsen – where it’s segregated by gender and everyone is completely naked. (Similar to Swedish saunas I guess – maybe we’ll find out!) The benefits of this for young minds is HUGE – when the internet only shows one version of beautiful it’s so important for kids to see a variety bodies and realise that they are all beautiful. I’ll let you know how that goes in reality!

So here I am, sitting outside in my yard, enjoying some tunes and a cervesa on a warm evening, as the summer here extends a little longer and I know I’m one of the luckiest people in the world. I just can’t wait to see what happens next!

*My humblest apologies to Trevor who I spammed today with all my stuff to handover. It’s funny because, as some good friends will attest, I thought I did nothing but then, as it turns out, there was actually a lot to ensure he was up to speed on 😁