In 2012, I grabbed my then 5-year-old son and went on a six weeks backpacking trip throughout Laos and Thailand. (See Hasenhome-goes-Thailand-Laos)
We had a wonderful time and decided that this was not going to be the last time doing a bit of a longer trip than regular two weeks all-inclusive vacation.
This year, I am in the fantastic position of enjoying a sabbatical - sick and tired of rat racing, I decided a year ago that I would quit my job as an IT Project Manager after 16 years full power, exhaustment and dedication to a big global company and to restart anew after a period of recreation and redefining. Funny enough this decision was not a difficult one and when I discussed this with my husband and our son, the applause they gave me was enough to feel right.
What to do in a Sabbatical, I thought?! Sleeping long, watching all the seasons of what-I-always-wanted-to-see-but-regularly-fell-asleep-beforehand, attending some trainings, cooking more and healthy, doing something good and TRAVEL, TRAVEL, TRAVEL!
Except for the last two mentioned points, I actually did nothing of it all and while I am writing this, I am wondering why time always flies so fast when one feels happy and blessed....
I started to work voluntarily in a charity foundation as project coordinator which totally enriches my life (and keeps it more busy than I actually wanted to). I use all the skills that I earned in the past years by changing the world a bit into a better one - this is what I call close to feeling extremely satisfied! And, already in 2015, I started brainstorming my travel plans for 2016.
I allowed myself to let my travel brains twirl around a bit. I flew off to visit some old friends in Paris for a couple of days in January, my husband and I went on 2,5 weeks relaxing in Cuba (see hasenhome-goes-cuba), I will be off with my son for three weeks soon to travel Singapore and Malaysia, we will be Surfing and Camping our beloved German Island of Fehmarn in July, head to Valencia / Spain for a cozy Moto GP weekend in November and I might be going on a short trip to Seoul / Korea in October. I know how privileged I am and I know how quickly life can change - but, I/we simply also deserve it! I have worked my butt off in the past years, we have faced many personal challenges in our family - we deserve it - yes!
So, here I am ! Opening my next blog on travelling Singapore and Malaysia together with my now-10-year-old son starting in a few weeks only on 23rd of June.
