Our North American Tour
One chapter ends and another begins…
We recently spent two weeks in Brisbane, Australia. As luck would have it, this was when the once-in-a-lifetime sandstorm blanketed the eastern seaboard. In addition to washing the boat several times to remove the orange glow of sand, we moved all our belongings off and polished Blue Plains Drifter up for the sale dock. Blue Plains Drifter brought us from Mexico to the Marquesas; and on to the Tuamotus, The Society Islands, Cook Islands, Tonga, New Zealand, Fiji, and finally Australia. It was a grand adventure but the time has to come to close this chapter. Luckily for us, we found another equally exciting one to open next.
We submitted our New Zealand residency application and should be approved in the next six months (bureaucracy is apparently the same around the world—SLOW!) However, we’re not just moving and becoming New Zealand residents. That would be too ordinary, too easy. Hold on to your hats because this may surprise you. It surprised us! Jim is embarking on a career change. He enrolled in a veterinary science program, and starts at Massey University in February. Yes, Jim is hoping to become the next Dr. Doolittle. We’re both wildly excited about the opportunity. He has always said if he had college to do over again he would have studied to be a vet. In New Zealand, while they only have one vet school, it is affordable and accessible, both in terms of location and the opportunity for placement in the program. The degree is recognized internationally, allowing graduates to practice anywhere in the world. The first semester is potentially the biggest hurdle: Physics, Chemistry, Molecular Biology and Animal Physiology. Jim needs to graduate in the top 15% of his class to progress onto the first formal level of veterinary courses, which begin second semester. So, spaces are limited, but not impossible to get. Jim will focus 100% of his time on his studies. I will return to my career in the Employee Relations side of Human Resources, not as exciting, but not a burden either.
In the interim, we’re on a two month North American tour to visit family and friends. We just had a wonderful time in Canada, Vancouver Island to be exact. We visited with pals we met cruising in Mexico, Rob and Shannon. Jim spent several days working at Rob’s veterinary practice to fulfill the prerequisite work experience required before starting school in February. We’re now in Portland, Oregon where Jim will continue advancing toward his prerequisite hours. He will spend time observing another friend, Ashley, in her animal surgery practice. After that, it’s back to the Bay Area for the first time since we left in 2006. We are looking forward to catching up with everyone, visiting old haunts, and picking up a few of our remaining belongings to send on ahead to New Zealand.
If it sounds like a lot to digest, it is… but you know how the saying goes, “How does one eat an elephant? One mouthful at a time.” That approach saw us sell our house, furniture and cars, quit our jobs, then sail halfway around the world. Now, with that same approach we will move to NZ, start veterinary school, get a job and reassimilate to land-based living. If there’s one mantra we try to live by it’s “Live Life LARGE!”
October 14th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Needless to say… iif you head to Texas, we MUST SEE YOU!!!!!
Congrats! And welcome back to the States for your visit!
October 14th, 2009 at 12:38 pm
Glad to hear you are embarking on a new chapter in your novel. Good luck Jim on your vet studies; and if you need an Atlanta vet contact- my Aunt cousin has a large practice outside of Atlanta, CA I understand. We will be visiting him in December.
We just sold out house (bitter sweet news) as I have lived on Assisi Court for the past 15 years, and Vicki the past 11. We are looking to rent and determine next steps as the kids are in college (Derek at Monterey CSU - Nicole at SFS CSU). I would like to relocate back to Cape Cod, but Vicki is not listening at this point in time. Retirement is right around the corner, and I would like to get a whaler boat - set a few lobster traps in the ocean/bay, fish for blues and play golf. I can dream - but Vicki still needs to work on the west coast.
You guys inspire me- thanks for the great memories, plotting your course from Mexico to the south pacific and now on the NZ. Good luck and stay in touch. Brian
October 14th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
I will require one uh hem shot of patron upon bay area arrival at designated establishment of choice.
October 14th, 2009 at 12:58 pm
Kickboxing, drinks, when you get here!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 14th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Congratulations on all the “next steps”! Very exciting stuff. But now we are all going to loose our mini-escapes from reality that your blog has provided us. I’ve still not lost the hope to get out there and experience the cruising life. Thanks for keeping the dream alive. I’ll look forward to seeing you here in San Jose.
Bill
October 14th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
J & T,
Dr. Jim sounds good. Congratulations to you both. Does this also mean that you will become citizens of NZ and immigrate there or come back this way? I’m an instructor at the Modern Sailing School in Sausalito, so if you get over there, please look me up. All the best!
Ed Guinaugh
October 14th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Wow, how exciting to make a change! When I was reading down, I didn’t expect to read vet school. I expected to read that you were going to be tour guides or owners of some crazy New Zealand extreme adventure company and bungee jump (or worse) for a living. Vet school sounds much more mild and being a vet has got to be very rewarding.
If you are in San Jose and have time to get together, let me know. We can go to Taco Bell, 7-11 for slurpees and Sweet Retreat for Chocolate Rasberry Truffle ice cream! Maybe we can work something out with Jina too.
October 14th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
We are so excited to see you both while you are here. Ricki is having a dinner for all of us on the 15th with the Dallas Cowboys on the big screen and I will have everyone here on the 22nd for Thanksgiving (Suzy’s family and mine) for a dinner with all of us!!!
So proud of you two and all you have done and are doing!
Love,
Aunt Boo
October 14th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Looking forward to seeing you guys after almost 1000 days! DOW is almost back to where you guys left it so here is to new adventures and prosperity!
October 14th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
So glad you enjoyed your time with Rob and Shannon! If you are in Portland for any period of time, our son and his family live there and we know you would enjoy them (and their hospitality). If yuo are in LA, you are welcome here too! Stay well, the next chapter sounds great! Enjoy!
Maureen
October 14th, 2009 at 3:36 pm
Can’t wait to see you guys! Will we be able to recognize you with make up?
You still must work on your travel book — I want to see all of your adventures in print for an even larger audience!!!
XOXOXO
October 14th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
So when are you coming to Seattle to meet your new niece and see the rest of us? Can’t wait to see you!
October 14th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Still got couches in “The Cruz”, we’re expecting to hear from you when you’re down this way. Ripper halloween party on the 31st up the street!
October 14th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
WELL! You brushed by us and didnt even call! Here we are in Victoria and we would have given you a great stay and visit. OH well…..We are en route to the Bay area and flying to Thailand for the winterm leaving Nov2. Give us a call 250 381 9255 or skype redmondoc. Happy trails bpders.
October 15th, 2009 at 5:32 am
Wow! What wonderful news! I am personally excited for you both. Must disagree and say life for most people is not large but you can make it LARGE and you have!
All the very best.
Jim
October 15th, 2009 at 9:14 am
OK, how does one keep up with you guys? Good luck! Trying to sell this brokerage so I can take some time and come down your way (Also Austrialia) and see your smiling faces. If you come my way, you can stay at my place! It would be fun.
Love you guys, Nico
October 15th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Hey Guys!
DESERT VENTURE and her crew are here in Portland.
Give us a call!! Would love to see you if you have the time.
Angie
October 15th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
Conratulations on closing another chapter and tarting the next!!! You could not have selected a better place to take up residency. New Zealand is on Lisa’s and my roadmap as well. In fact, so much so, that we have selected an Auckland based talent management software company as a business partner and now, I am the only person “certified” to conduct implementations in the US! The Kiwi’s are taking over the world!! Hope to see you when you are in the Bay Area!!
Dianna and Lisa
October 15th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Congratulations on the last chapter and best wishes for the next. If you get back to the Bellingham area it would be great to see you both. Have fun in the Bay area, I’m sure things have changed a lot.
Bye for now!!
Len
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:59 pm
Is Jim going to major in sheep. If you get to Calle De L Paz, yell out the window from Barbara and Dave’s.
October 24th, 2009 at 3:28 am
I have thoroughly enjoyed catching bits and pieces of your adventures at sea these last few years. My husband is a sailor with dreams to do what you’ve done when our kids are older. I wish you the best on your new adventure in NZ.
Melissa Anderson-Cramer (RHS ‘86)
October 25th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Who would have thought…last we heard you were thinking of opening a sports bar!! Oh the changes life takes us through. Dan and I wish you could make you’re way back down here to PV since we do really miss you guys. But best of luck to you both.
Lying Dan and Sassy Linda