I’ve Made a Pit Stop

It’s been over two years since I’ve written a blog post. I’ve been in a crazy state for the past couple of years. So many transitions and life changes that my priorities have temporarily shifted. Today as I was thinking about my travel blogs, I had the thought that sometimes in life we need to take pit stops. Sometimes there are unforeseen circumstances that require us to step off an intended path for a brief moment. When this happens, we can think that life is passing us by, while we watch others continue forward. This caused me to reflect and to remember that my journey is my own.

So…where in the hell have I been these past two years? I’ve mostly been in Seattle with short stays in Saudi. And, in between that I’ve thrown in two trips to Jamaica, a tour of Egypt and Sri Lanka, a visit to Stockholm, and the occasional trips to San Diego and Los Angeles. However, I’ve mostly been in Seattle because we purchased a new home. Yaaaaaaay!! It’s nice. We love it. It’s perfect for us!

After waiting six months for them to complete the build, we finally get the keys to Chateau Manor.

That then required that I decorate because we literally had nothing in this house as everything was still in Saudi. Seriously, we had nothing, not even plates. Besides, we needed new furniture as well. It’s costly to furnish 3000 square feet of space. We’re still not done. I’m still shopping. I have a desk for my woman cave arriving in two weeks. 😃 But, the more significant point is, our disposable income is going into furniture, and home décor, giving me less money to travel with. See, the thing is we never charged our trips we pay (in full) at the time we travel. So… we’ve had to cut back. Leaving me completely jealous of my fellow travelers.

Living Space

Our main living space. I still need to continue with decorating but it’s coming together.

 

Sitting Room

This is our front sitting room. I’m still working this out but it too is coming along.

Oh yeah, did I mention that I took up gardening? I LOVE IT!!! ❤️

The Garden

The Gardens at Chateau Manor.

Garlic

Garlic from my garden.

With all of this going on, about a year and a half ago, I decided to complete my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Oh, my GAWD!!!!!! I’ve been under a tremendous amount of stress. For reals!! However, I’m so happy that I’m doing it. Courses that had in the past intimidated me I’ve taken and conquered! I’m taking four classes this semester (Spring 2018): Economics 1, Psychology and Women, Research 2: Statistics, and Autobiographies of Modernism in Paris. I have three more semesters of full-time study. I’ve actually upped my course load from three to four this upcoming semester, wish me luck. And, oh yeah, this is also digging into my travel fund, as I’m not getting student loans. Again, I’m jealous of all travel photos from fellow travel bloggers. 😂

At the Library

I’m at the library, utilizing one of the study rooms. The library has been my best friend.

This is my pit stop. Do not confuse a pit stop with actually stopping. When a race car driver pulls into the pit stop, it is not to permanently stop. It’s to get things readjusted, make repairs, and refueling so that one can hit the road again, better equipped for the journey ahead. Therefore, I’ll be back, I’m just taking a little pit stop. I might have a few things brewing in the background. 😉 . In the meantime, I’ll try to write more. I still haven’t shared my thoughts on Egypt, which I LOVED!! And, I do have a few travel plans for 2018. In fact, I’ve started the year with a road trip from San Diego to Seattle with my mama. 😁

 

Happy New Year!!

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About Terri Lundberg

Terri Lundberg is an American expat currently residing with her husband in Saudi Arabia, but she calls Seattle and San Diego home. She’s a travel writer, an avid photographer and is a resource and cross cultural trainer to expats relocating to Saudi Arabia. She's been to 100 destinations, 30 countries, and counting.

Comments

  1. Hello,
    Thanks for the pit stop 🙂

  2. Your house looks amazing! Congrats