Last Month Jitters

MLogan,
I feel the 'pains' as well. So many questions go through your mind...It is scary, to leave the comfort zone.
Just remember you have the board and all your friends here. If you get in a scrape, find a cpu, get the people on island a message. I think I've seen the people on this board care about us movers...

Good Luck and keep us posted....

Absolutely understand leaving the "comfort zone", but the most important comfort zone of all is the fulfilment of YOUR lives deepest needs. Not as a selfish thing, but because you deserve it. It will seem odd not doing the "routine" things, but I assure you, once you've started to develop new routines, such as soaking up the sun on Coki Beach that you mentioned, and a million other such wonder places here - you'll soon find that you are a much happier person in a deeper part of you than ever before.

Someday we may sit and have a drink or two or soak up the sun, and I'll tell you my story - and how it's taken me a very very long time to find out what I need. Not as a selfish thing - but as one of the most basic and important things that we all need to discover for ourselves.....to give our life its necessary peace.

We'll look forward to greeting you when you arrive on island.

Looking forward to your arrival M.
Just remember, take each day at a time.
There will be days when you will wonder how you ever survived in ____ (read: cold, dreary, unfriendly stateside location) and there will be days when you will wonder what the h*%l you are doing in this sunny, yet strange place where all the rules are different and you can't find a manual to save your life.
Whatever happens, keep in touch.

I haven't sold anything yet but I'm looking at moving down to STX by the end of the year.
Thanks for you great posts Paul and Onika. I 'm checking in every day now to get some good ideas on moving and looking for a job. I'll be moving from Philly where I will not miss the cold and dreary winter months. Again thanks for all the great information ladies and gents.

Hi M. Logan,

The best I can offer is that I am sure you have been waiting a long time for this. Pay attention because this is your dream coming true! Stay present to all that is happening now-good or bad. It is like watching a miracle unfold!! I envy you, I still have 2 1/2 months to wait. But, I am so raw with emotion already I can't even fathom how intense the last couple of weeks must be. I hope you will keep us posted.

Keep your head up.
Shawn

Don't be afraid to let go of things you have. I've met too many people who cling to what they already have, not realizing that they can have even more in the future if they give up a few things in the present. This is a lesson I learned only recently when I moved to St. Croix.

MLogan:

I admire the courage you must be having to take such a big step. I, myself, am grappling with the same questions and doubts. It's never easy, but the rewards can be immense. Every time I've moved to another country I always go through those moments (days?) of self doubt.

Lots of luck to you. Should be a wonderful adventure!!!

Angela

You're absolutely right, OhioGuy, and I have had to relearn this lesson over and over again during my life.

When I ran off to Mexico in 1969 with a BF, we both were loaded down with stuff. Along the way, we traded our stuff for hotel rooms, boat rides, even food. Later, when we wound up in northern California, we eventually collected enough stuff to fill a two bedroom house and a workshop.

When we split up, we each got rid of most of our stuff, but as the years passed, I managed to accumulate even more. Today I have a four-bedroom house stuffed to the gills with belongings, very little of which means anything to me.

George Carlin's comedy routine about STUFF has replayed in my mind until I'm ready to put everything out on the curb and kiss it goodbye.

Fortunately, even though I have to report for work at my new job on Aug. 30, I don't have to worry about taking care of my house and stuff here just yet. My son and his GF are going to live here until they graduate from college next year.

At least I have a job BEFORE I go, right? And a really good job, too. I am so very, very lucky in that regard. :-)))

I am soooooo very excited about moving to the islands that I'm about to jump out of my skin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi M,

I feel exactly the same way that you do-you are not alone! I will be teaching English and Computers at Charlotte Amalie High School, and will need to report for work on Aug. 23rd. I am moving down either at the end of July or early August with my 2 girls (ages 7 and 10). My husband will be coming later in August. We will be renting an apartment in the downtown area (Thanks a million, Ronnie!) I go between being totally panic stricken to overjoyed doing the happy dance in my now completely empty living room. IslandPaul-you've got the right attitude! Do you know the song "100 Years" by Five For Fighting----" Time goes by, Suddenly you’re wise, Another blink of an eye, 67 is gone, The sun is getting high, We're moving on... "
Whenever I hear this song on the radio, I start to cry! I feel like this song sums up my reason for wanting to move-yes, I love being an hour from my mom, nieces and nephews but in reality we only have a short time on this planet and maybe there are bigger and better experiences out there for us, we just have to take that chance and find out. Welcome to the world of risk takers! Life is always more exciting out on the edge.....

This message board has been a real lifeline for me, thanks everyone-

SuzanneB

What great words of encouragement! It's getting harder and harder to wait until there's enough money saved up to come after reading these posts. I keep dreaming about the day I get off that plane in paradise. Thanks for the inspirations!

Suzanne - no I don't know the song you mentioned, but from the line you posted it is absolutely on the money with respect to how I feel.

Prior to moving to the islands I was living and working with a friend of over 25 years. He and his wife and 5 kids, Moose the Golden Retriever and Toby the cat that always hid, were the closest thing to a real family to me ......(I have family but.....and we know how the rest of that goes!)...........and as I was living/working with them (Real Estate), on the third floor of their old victorian home in a classy neighborhood in St.Paul......the kids ( 8 -2yrs old) bounding up the stairs to visit, and Moose coming up to hang out with me.........well it was very very hard to say goodbye. But I knew one very important thing - perhaps just like visiting with your neices, nephew and mom - it is THEIR life your visiting. How about having a "real" life of your own to treasure?

Come soon - and by the way. One of the things I have said that I've wanted to do since I came here is to help teach kids to read. I have so far been unsuccessful in finding an organization, group or individual that seems in need or has an interest in such help. If in your connections at the school..........if this ever comes up, please let me know.

Oh yes, one final thing. My mom, whom I'd not seen in 7 years (had been living in California prior to my move to St.Paul) was in a nursing home in a suburb of Minneapolis and I was able to see her for the last few months of her life. I'm glad I was there for that too.............but, time for my life now. I wish you all the best in your great journey. May it be safe and smooth and the light at the end of it the joy that I've found in this magical place.

M-

I bought my one way ticket yesterday!! Tried to call you. St. Thomas, here we come! We CAN do this. I have your back.

Sid

M. and Suzanne

I'm so glad to see that someone else feels this way, too!! I'm so excited, but so nervous at the same time!! My husband and I, along with our best friend, arrive August 30th to STJ. It took me a while to be able to accept the great advice that is given on this message board, but I figured y'all who live there KNOW what it's like, so now I know to say THANK YOU insted of WHATEVER!! (thanks to a few of y'all who REALLY put me in my place! 😉 I needed it!

We had our moving sale this past Saturday and it was a BUST! None of our big ticket items sold, so that was a major disappointment, but try try and try again until it's gone, right?

I've never lived anywhere else before. This is going to be a HUGE shocker for me. Luckily, I won't be alone. We have our tickets, most of our stuff is already packed and our shipping is set up!! Looks like we're on the way. Thank you all for this wonderful and very helpful message board community. I hope I get to meet some of you along the way. I'll continue to write!!!!
Good luck to everyone else who's making this giant transition. We've been planning for almost a year and it's finally time!!! I can't wait!

CHEERS!!!
Amanda

Hello All,

I really appreicate all the words of encouragement, this board and my new board family is great.

I can't wait until the plane lands and my adventure begins. Sept 1, 2004 is my target date, hopefully before than, if my mom lets me go, I plan to spend two weeks with her in MIchigan before coming to paradise.

Sid, I got your message but as always I was either at work or getting ready for bed. This third shift is killing me. I'll call you when I leave my second job.

Thanks,
MLogan