My passion for international adventure began at 17 during a transformative trip to Russia with my grandmother, which led me to become a travel agent and later follow my NASA engineer husband across Europe, Canada, and the US. While he attended meetings, I'd explore each new city with our son, always seeking out local experiences beyond the typical tourist path.
When my husband decided to retire to a quiet North Carolina town, I realized our dreams had diverged—his was settling down, mine was just beginning. After our divorce, I spent time helping family members through challenges, but eventually recognized I was putting everyone else's needs before my own once again.
The turning point came when I confided to a friend about my dream of selling everything and moving to Bali. Her simple question—"Why don't you?"—changed everything. Six months later, I was on that plane to Bali, ready to create the adventurous life I'd always imagined.
Yes, I made mistakes—visa complications, poor investments, struggles with loneliness—but I learned from each one. Today, I speak Indonesian, participate in village ceremonies, and have built a rich social life with both locals and expats. I'm living proof that it's never too late to rewrite your story and that the mistakes along the way are just part of the adventure.