I'm a 40-something nonprofit executive who has spent the last twenty years working to make the community a better place through social justice and education initiatives, most recently in Denver, Colorado. I have a professional husband who works as much as I do, and two wonderful adopted four-legged fur babies. And we are embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, taking a year off from our demanding jobs, and LIVING FOR A LIVING. If you want to follow our adventures, and learn how we made this year-long sabbatical a reality, follow my blog at www.thefoundyear.com.
It’s been more than five months since we landed back home in the U.S. after six months on the other side of the world, and I have to say that the transition hasn’t been exactly what I expected. No judgment in that (that’s one thing I practiced on sabbatical-not judging, just being), but sometimes I … More Life After Sabbatical: Pop Tarts, Unemployment, and Mom
I’m not getting lazy. Trent just happens to be a great writer with lots of good stuff to say about our sabbatical adventures. So, here is another guest blog post by him, all about our four days in Luang Prabang, which is fun to say and fun for play! Luang Prabang! Trent just chillin’ with … More Lovin’ Luang Prabang
Our visit to Laos has been an unexpected adventure from the beginning. When we arrived in Thailand nearly six months ago, we didn’t have any plans to visit Laos. Heck, two years ago, I couldn’t have found it on a map (blame my US geography education or lack thereof), pronounce it correctly, or tell you … More Adventures in Border Crossing: Thailand to Laos
Sabbatical has given us the time and space to grow, learn, and be reminded of what matters. Special thanks to my husband, Trent, for his thoughtful reflections below on his own unique sabbatical experience. I am grateful every day that he is my life partner and that we are on this adventure together. I hope … More Sabbatical Lessons: a guest blog by my husband, Trent
For three days in April, Thailand celebrates the New Year, or Songkran. Businesses are largely closed. Kids are out of school. Half of the people in Bangkok leave town, returning to their homes and families all over Thailand to celebrate and make merit. The other half don their tropical shirts, grab a water gun (or … More Celebrating the Thai New Year Thai-style
The end of sabbatical draws closer every day like an approaching cargo ship on the horizon, packed with dogs and friends and family and good Mexican food, and also a whole lotta slap-ya-in-the-face reality. But until that ship arrives, we are happily enjoying every moment of every day. Our last two days in Cairns qualify … More Sabbatical Days 344 and 345: The Great Barrier Reef and Waterfall Loop
Townsville to Cairns We spent our last day in Townsville taking in the scenic views from the top of Castle Hill (just shy of being called a mountain). This glorious pink hill is smack dab in the center of Townsville and offers stunning 360 degree views. It was a nice way to end our time … More The Great Australian Road Trip part VII: Final Destination Cairns!
Still no trace of the sun, but that’s okay, because this is a grand adventure, and rain or shine, we will make the most of it. Let me show you what little wonders we experience along the way. Because often it’s the little things that make a memory, that make life worth remembering. Rockhampton was … More Down Under road trip part VI: the little things from Rockhampton to Townsville
This is the day that I admit to y’all that not every day on sabbatical is all sunshine and totally awesome. Some days are boring or frustrating or disappointing or even sad. Sometimes Trent gets on my nerves, and many days I get on his and vice versa. The camper van leaves little space between … More Oz road trip part V: Desperately Seeking Sunshine
We awoke early in our makeshift free camp site south of Brisbane after falling asleep to the strangely coherent sounds of cars on the highway, someone strumming a guitar, and mobs of twenty-somethings laughing about things they won’t remember in 20 years (but they will remember the feeling of freedom they had). The guitar was … More Straya road trip part IV: A Bundy Time in Brisbane & the Sunshine Coast
The Found Year 