Lessons learned Landlubbing

Apologies for my absenteeism! We’ve been busy greatly enjoying holidays and visiting people on land over the last couple of months. At this point, happy holidays to everyone!

Part A: 5 weeks, 11 flights, 5 states, 8 cities, 11 beds, and a fabulous time seeing so many family and friends throughout the USA. Part B: 1.5 weeks (still in progress) having just as fabulous a time in Dublin, Ireland. Thank you again to all of our gracious hosts!

While I’ll post photos from our travels below, bear with me as I get a little philosophical first. These are not necessarily new lessons learned, but largely great reminders that stuck with me as we progressed throughout our travels…

1) Be kind. There’s a quote from the amazing, late Robin Williams I have always broadly believed in – “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.”  As we caught up with so many people in such a concentrated period of time, this idea really became prominent for me. Nearly everyone at a given point in time has life challenges – jobs, relationships, finances, physical ailments, mental illness, anxiety, children, aging parents, loss of loved ones, etc. Be a listening ear. Be a support. Cut people some slack, even strangers, as you never know what battle they are fighting.

2) People are people. Cultures vary greatly, but deep down people generally want the same things – love, health, stability, and happiness. We are always afraid of what we don’t know or understand, so it’s great to take the time to understand other people, their particular cultures, and their perspectives. 

3) Travel if you can. There is no better way to learn about the world than to experience it firsthand. Every place is different from home in some way.

4) Live with family and friends. Having dinners, going for coffee / pints, playing sports, attending events, etc. over the years are all great ways to develop relationships. However, you can learn so much more about people if you stay / live with them, even for a short while. Again, you learn where people are coming from. You have the space to have great long chats. You learn things like who is a night owl or a morning bird, how there are very different cooking styles, how people like to organize their homes and lives, etc. This experience can sometimes provide “aha” moments for understanding why people do the things they do or are the way they are. 😉 We have greatly enjoyed these opportunities during our travels as well as when everyone has come to stay with us on Sabática. 

5) The USA has distinct different regions. For those not familiar with living in the US, it may or may not surprise you to learn that the different areas of the country are truly unique. From the time I met Conor, he and some Irish family members used to always refer to me as a “Yank.” In their world, that simply means an American. I would vehemently oppose the remark because in the US, a Yankee refers to those in the Northeast from the time of the Civil War. I grew up in Texas, and everyone in Texas knows that the state is truly its own country. While growing up, though, I had always thought Texas was southern. This notion was squashed after I spent four years in North Carolina for college. There I was exposed more to the Deep South and some of the foods, culture, and tensions that exist there. As you travel around the US, you can experience great differences in the Northeast, the South, the Midwest, the Southwest, and the West coast. There are differences in foods, accents, mentalities, weather, traditions, politics, diversity, activities, etc. This trip, we learned more about the Midwest. We still need to cover the Plains and more of the Rocky Mountain West some day. But again, people are people. Travel to learn and understand.

6) Go with the flow. I have grown greatly in this realm this year! I was able to take the changes in plans (due to illness, travel, last minute changes, etc.) much more in stride than I would have otherwise. Life is much less stressful if you can do this!

7) Be grateful. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I try to be thankful all the time, but I love how we have a day every year to gather with loved ones and really think about all that we have to be thankful for. The head of Rory’s middle school used to always tell the kids – “When in doubt, go with gratitude.” – and I always thought that was great. Keeping in mind all the good things helps to put any bad things in perspective and not in control.

8) Nothing is perfect. There are always trade-offs. The grass is always greener. Take your pick! Some people hear of our current marine lifestyle and think that it’s so glamorous. It definitely is an amazing opportunity and experience, and we are learning and getting to experience so much. However, it’s not without its trade-offs. Things I’ve missed a bit this year I thoroughly enjoyed during our time back in the US — an amazing variety of ethnic and American food all in one country (for example: Mexican, Asian cuisines, BBQ, burgers, etc.), convenience factors (like ready access to washing machines and dryers), driving a car (which for me brings independence), toilet seats (which are rare in Italy in women’s bathrooms!), and stores where you can easily find anything you need. 

9) Be present. As a planner, I always struggle with this one. Being in the moment is the best way to preserve memories, though. Try to appreciate what matters most – the people in your life – and don’t take them for granted.

10) Find your sea. I think I’ve mentioned before, but riding the bow of Sabática on a beautiful, calm day is the best way I’ve found to completely clear my mind and have productive thoughts. (Most of my blog crafting happens then!) I was reminded that I can have the same experience while driving fast on an open road. Driving from city to city in Texas afforded me this opportunity during our travels. Where is your “sea?” Wherever or whatever it is, find it. Embrace it. And, visit it often.

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We greatly enjoyed the chance to spend time with everyone we did during all of our travels…

Javier, Giovanna, Julian, Mateo, Lina, Ricardo, Luna, Laura, Bryn, Roberto, Mitch, Tara, Rory, Mom, Dad, Will, Maya, Red, Julia, Chad, Anna, Dhruv, Alice, Mark, Max, Jody, Mel, Mimi, Shari, Lonny, Nicole, Ben, Lily, Stephen, Miho, David, Heather, Aaric, Laura, Jenny, Della, Lorie, Neeley, Marilyn, Jeffrey, Nancy, Barry, Teddy, Becky, Brian, Michaela, Bailey, Ozzie, Pei-San, Daniel, Kitri, Fosse, Katie, Jeff, Scott, Ozzy, Mel, Howard, Sam, Java, Kirsteen, Ron, Kate, Steve, Sherri, Ben, Jackie, Steve, Zlata, Sonia, Supriya, Anup, Prithvi, Vikram, Amisha, Ashish, Caitlin, Kristin, Ben, Kim, Lori, Roxie, Conrad, Tomás, Steve, Craig, Brenda, Cuala, Olivier, Darragh, Cathy, Eve, Cormac, Luke, Scout, Meghan, Ross, Stuart, Mackenna, Trevor, Canice, Bronagh

We missed out on seeing a handful of people due to illness, so we’ll look forward to seeing you next time!

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Philadephia – beautiful fall foliage, so much US history, yummy Colombian pastries

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Cleveland – staying with our adult daughter for the first time(!), Case Western Reserve University, amazing Cleveland Museum of Art, fun areas around town

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Chicago – tour of UChicago, Rory’s play, freezing Chicago weather, fun Chicago museums and improv

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Texas – Dallas, Austin, New Braunfels, San Antonio, and Thanksgiving

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California – San Carlos, Menlo Park, Redwood City, great show in San Francisco, hiking on the CA coast, and lots of holiday merriment!

Dublin – Christmas, great walks, meals with family and friends, fun games, a pub or two or three, festive Dublin city center, and an impressive play.