Let me just start out with a couple of housekeeping items. Firstly, I’m using the word “move” pretty loosely. I’ll explain that more later. Secondly, this blog entry likely won’t give you all the details you think it might. Perhaps I’ll write the entire story at some point during or after this journey. Now that that’s taken care of, let’s get started.

Over the years I’ve often thought about living abroad. Most of these thoughts have been in passing only. These thoughts would probably be better described as daydreams or fantasies since I’ve never developed anything that even vaguely resembles a plan. You know what they say, “A goal without a plan is just a [daydream].” (Antoine de Saint Exupéry) About two months ago that all changed.

I read a lot of random books. I couldn’t even tell you how I end up reading some of these books. They seem to just show up in my reading app(s). Well, one day I was reading a book about a woman who packed up and moved to London. There are a lot of other details to the book that have nothing to do with my story but the book started me to thinking about all those daydreams. By the end of the book I was, somewhat seriously, considering packing up and moving overseas. Over the next week, the daydreams returned. Then one day I was having a (very) long, leisurely lunch with a friend and, unbeknownst to her, something she said turned the daydream into a plan. I left the restaurant that day anxious to get back to my hotel to begin sketching out a plan. Six days later, the decision was made. I was “moving” to Paris!!!

Okay, here’s where I explain what I mean when I say “move.” I have a one-way, first class, ticket to Paris. Even though the ticket is one-way, I will be returning at some point. Exactly when, I don’t yet know. The date of my return will be determined by a couple of different factors. If I’m enjoying myself, I’ll stay. If I’m not, then I’ll be heading home. The length of my stay will also be determined by funding. I’ll stay as long as my finances permit. If I stick to my budget, I’ll be fine. If I get over there and decide to, as the rappers say, “Ball out of control,” I might be back before WAY sooner than planned.

While I’ve told a number of people about my plans, many had no idea I had this in the works so I’ll end this blog here and let you digest it all. I’ll continue at a later date with more details. I’d tell you when I’d be following up on this blog and what you can expect to be included but I’ve learned to stop making promises in this space. I will, however, tell you that I will be documenting my journey here so stay tuned for updates. Until next time, Au revoir!

(Feel free to leave questions in the “Comments” section and I’ll try to answer them in the follow-up blog.)