First Stop Seattle

I flew away to Seattle yesterday. It was a relief. So much talking and now I am finally doing. Though I have a busy week ahead of me with this school I'm taking. My cousin Cory gave me the run down on the stuff I'm learning. Yikes! Lots of good stuff. I'll talk about it as it happens though. I get the feeling it will be kinda hilarious.

Today I'm driving myself down to the school from where I'm staying in Kirkland. My cousin is lending me his Jeep. Should be interesting. I'm driving a jeep with no top, down the freeway into Seattle and its a stick shift. Oh boy!

The weather is pretty terrific here in Seattle. Sun is out and its warm enough for shorts and a tank top. It should be warmer still in Palma when I get there. Yeah!

Saying good bye to the family was pretty sad. I tried not to cry since I was headed into a huge queue of people. Mom had such a sad look on her face. So I waved goodbye a few times through the checkpoint and then I was off.

I am excited! I met a lady yesterday who has done the same thing I'm doing and so as always she had tons of great information to share with me.

I'm still figuring out this picture upload thing but I'm going to attach one of my cousin Gavin. He is pretty cute!

I'm headed into Seattle now. Nothing like the early morning breeze (gail force wind) blowing through my hair to wake me up!

Farewell Party

Well, we've eaten some good Basque food in honor or my trip to Spain. I am getting really excited to get out of town! I'm going to try to put some photos on here too.

Thanks alot to my AAA gang! You guys are the best. I am really going to miss all of you. I am so lucky to have worked with such an awesome group of people. I'll see you again...so no need to go on and on! :)

I head to Seattle tomorrow. I think I've said that before. So I'll keep you up to speed on what I'm learning in "school" next week.

Then finally...europe!

See you all later on,

Karen

And so the story goes

Well, I'm officially out of a job. It's really weird. I am very excited to see what's going to happen though so that keeps me going!!

To sume up; I've quit my job, sold almost all of my furniture, sold my car, found someone to house sit for me and now I am leaving.

I'm going to Seattle first. I'll be taking a class STCW95 its a basic training for boat safety. Something like that.
It all started when I was in England, I met a nice man who was going in search of a job on a sail boat (actually an engineer on a Megayacht). I asked him how I do that. He said you go to school for 1-2 years and its costly. And me being me I asked myself how I do make that easier than going to school for a year or so (I want to go NOW)?
So I called my dear cousin Cory. And it turned out he teaches a class called STCW95. So he knew all about it. Consequently I got signed up for class in June and then I leave for my adventure from there.

I know it seems like a weird time to quit a job. I thought that too but all these pieces started falling into place and there were lots of little signs that were pointing me in this direction. I do believe that it's the right time to go and whether I have a great time or a lousy one I'll have seen a bunch of stuff, learned alot and can come home and apply that in some new and challenging way! I can't wait to figure that out! That's going to be the fun part!

Most people who've known me a long time know I've wanted to do something like this for years. And its a long story leading up to my deciding to go see what I can find and I'm skipping that part. (lets just say being sick with West Nile gives you lots of time for reflection)

So the idea brewed and brewed. Basically its still brewing. I am packing light (1 big backpack)
I know where I'll be for the first couple of weeks and then I'm winging it. Both of those things are new to me!

I'll fly into Barcelona on June 8th and then from there take a short flight to the island of Mallorca. To the city of Palma. Apparently Palma is a place where sail boats and mega yachts cruise to on there way into the Mediterranean for the summer. I am hopeful to meet someone looking to teach me the ropes. We'll see. Once I explain that I grew up in a land locked state riding bikes and hiking it may take some convincing but who knows. Thats part of the fun right?!

So, I'll stream line this post thing and keep it simple. Maybe throw in a picture here and there.

I CAN'T WAIT!

The fun is about to begin

Only a few hours left before I leave work for the last time. I'll be keeping up with this from time to time.
Once I'm off the clock I'll give you all an idea how this came to pass. Because I know its so interesting and you can't wait to hear all about it.
Most of you know I'm long winded so when you log into this better give yourself some time, bring a drink, a blanket, a friend...just kidding.

Later