Wednesday, Jan 11, 2017
Big sigh. When I committed to write a blog post for each day of my life for the first year living in Ecuador, I knew it was a big commitment. The challenge excited me though because I knew at the end I would have a recorded journal of what I did, what was happening, and what I was feeling through the first year of my big adventure. Lol…my big adventure. That is how we described what our little dog Keeper got to do traveling with us to Ecuador…going on her big adventure. I miss her.
Little Keep
My truth is this has been, and continues to be, a big adventure for me. I still don’t have everything worked out. I still have unknowns as to where I will be living in Ecuador three months from now, what I will be doing in my business one year from now. The only thing I know with a present level of certainty is that I will be in Ecuador for this next year of my life.
I was talking to Heidi about my “Living in Ecuador” blog and commented that it isn’t all, or even mostly, like a visitors guide to Ecuador. If you have had a chance to read David Sasaki’s facebook posts in the Ecuador Expats group, this guy is a wealth of info about all things Ecuador. Great and interesting information is posted daily by him. Thank you David!
My Living in Ecuador blog is not that. It is more about pulling back the curtain and letting people see a man who sometimes has his shit together, and sometimes doesn’t, as he tries living in a new and foreign place. It has been about breaking out of my perceived box, walking away from a “standardized” life in both actions and expectations, and doing what the fuck I really want to be doing. And doing what I want means dealing with my own fears along the way.
Big sigh again. Have I been successful? I’m not sure how to really measure that. Partly this is because I’m not done. In truth I don’t expect to ever “be done”. One thing leads to the next…that leads to the next. Being able to move forward and walk into “the next” thing as it presents itself is what I really, really enjoy. This I know for sure.
The fam
I also know I have had special experiences and opportunities with my family since coming to Ecuador. Having my wife here and on board with me is a blessing I am lucky to have. Sometimes dreams can stop cold when spouses are out of sink, and I didn’t have to deal with that. Also, having my adult sons around has been a lot of fun too! I’m lucky to be able to enjoy my family in Ecuador and share some great experiences together. It is a cool time in our lives as a family.
So, today is one year in Ecuador. For those of you who are a bit OCD, let me address the “Day” count on my blog. It really seemed to me that today should be Day 366. If Day 1 was January 11, 2016, then Day 365 should be January 10, 2017, if 365 days are in a year. We had a leap year this past year too which added a day. So I would expect that today, January 11, 2017 should be Day 367. Right?
Well, I went back this morning to review my chronology. I started a quick review and found I have two blog posts titled Day 36. Damn. There should be one more day mis-titled as well. My blog is 19 pages long so I haven’t scrolled through the whole thing yet to find it. So what does this mean? Absolutely nothing!
I made a commitment to blog each day for a year, my year is marked by the day I entered this country, and I have done exactly that. I am celebrating! My family is celebrating. I am celebrating my decision to step into the unknown, to embrace all my experiences whether they were good, bad, or just down right terrifying. I have met many new people, developed new friendships, and expanded my world.
My life is full. It’s not perfect, but it is one I am embracing with my whole being. Life is an adventure, and I am on the path of my choosing.
On to the next year…
Chau.
well, since your post is dated 1/11/16, that means you must do another year! I think I will go through withdrawal if I can’t find your daily blog. It has become such a part of my life to follow your adventures, hoping to be just a couple of years behind you.
Thanks Pat, that is very kind of you to say and I appreciate you sharing it with me. I’m not going away, just removing the “daily pressure” to post.
If you keep Ecuador in sight, check off the boxes of things needing to be done to make it happen, you will get here…just like I did. 🙂
Thanks for reading!
Todd
Lol…oops on the date I wrote. I fixed it, and thanks for the heads up Pat! It was a great year AND I don’t need to repeat that earthquake again!
todd – it wouldn’t be nearly as interesting if you had your shit together all of the time. I appreciate the candid moments and the imperfections… Scott
Lol…thanks for that Scott. Appreciate you hanging in with me.
Hey Todd and family!
I’m sad that this will be your last daily blog but glad that you’re going to write something every so often. I sure have enjoyed reading and living vacariously with you folks the last few months. I’m still going back and reading your first few months since I didn’t discover your blog till about May. I’ll miss reading your daily adventure to Carla every night, it’s been a nice way to wrap up the day and talk about visiting again. I’ll keep in touch via email. Tell everyone hi and I look forward to meeting you folks in Ecuador!
Hugs,
Laree
Thanks Laree for regularly reading my blog. I appreciate it! It has been fun, and will continue to be so…just not every day. When you and Carla come back to Ecuador let’s have drinks! I’ll pass along your hellos to the family. Chau!
Hey Todd, I’ve been reading your daily blogs for some time now. From Day 1 until now and I have to thank you for sharing you and your family’s incredible journey. I’m fixin’ (yes, I’m from Texas) to come to Cuenca in May to continue my life as a retired gringo. From reading your blog, Dom Buonamici’s e-mail blasts and other FB group pages I believe I have a fairly good idea that I will be in store for one hell of a journey. You’ll probably be on the coast by the time I get to Cuenca but if the opportunity ever arises it would be my pleasure to buy you a beer. Best regards desde Dallas, David
Hey David, thanks for reading man! I appreciate you being on this journey with me through my blog. Congratulations on your upcoming move to Cuenca! I’ll take you up on the beer if I should be here in May (yikes!) and a rain check if I’m not.
Sounds like you have tapped into good info prepping you for your move to Cuenca. Please contact me when you get here with any questions. I want to help. I have no doubt you will find tons of support when you arrive because the expat community here is just that way. Chau!