90 Spontaneous Days Around The World – Week 1 : No limits

“You know, some are glass half-empty people, and some are glass half-full people. But some people aren’t limited by the glass.”

When I chose to take big leaps in my life, people all around me, well-meaning friends and family, even acquaintances all had advise and opinions about my plans. Supportive, to be sure. At the very least curious and at times afraid for me.

I’ll never forget what my cousin said in Florida while we celebrated my dad’s 90th birthday, just days before I’d take off for Australia (I received so many farewells there). David and I had a great discussion of unique jobs that sound intriguing and passionate, laughing as we ranked careers on a scale of 1 to 10. 10 being most intriguing. After giving accountant a 1 (I have a B.S. in Accountancy—that’s another story, another life), and circus contortionist a 10, David turned to me and said, “Cousin, you’re strong. Your attitude toward your new life is going to make all the difference. You know, some are glass half-empty people, and some are glass half-full people. But some people aren’t limited by the glass. That’s how I see you.” He gave me a hug and in that instant I began the search for my life. The quest would be a terrifying, amazing experience. Ready? Set? Fly.

(actual journal entries are in italics)

Feb. 13, 2014 – Quantas flight from LAX to Melbourne

“Mom,” my youngest daughter said, “if you fly out of LA on February 13 you’ll arrive in Melbourne on February 15 and never even have to live the 14th.” Great idea. Done. On my flight from LA to Melbourne, somewhere over the Pacific, what would have been my twenty-eighth anniversary disappeared. Just like my life had.

At the beginning of the trip I figured I’d disappear too. Somewhere in the world. It was an idea that gave me great comfort. What disappearing would look like, what the actual act would be, I had no clue. I needed to end the pain. A pain I nicknamed the black hole. A pain that had consumed me for nearly two years when I boarded the Quantas flight.

Feb. 15, 2014 Somewhere over the Tasmanian Sea

I fill out my customs form and state author as my occupation, traveling primarily for business. This feels good. I flip through the in-flight magazine. Features include Isabelle Rosselini’s stage performance of her award winning short film series, Green Porno, explaining the sex life of insects. Costumed as insects and sea creatures, she acts out their reproductive habits. In this moment I realize anything is possible. Including and especially my dream, my very big dream of writing and selling the screenplay based on my dad’s experience as a Japanese prisoner of war during WWII. It took me years to realize that big dreams are my birthright. Heck, compared to the bizarre and weird glory of insects’ sex lives, my dream seemed tame. 

I love dreams. Everybody’s crazy, hell-bent-for-glory dreams. It is my life-long dream to fly to Australia and Indonesia, in fact. Splurging on a research trip in order to write the story I’ve been trying to write for nearly a decade seemed crazy all these years. I make a mental note to never define myself as crazy ever, ever again.

Feb. 15, 2014 – Arrive Melbourne, Australia

Feb. 16, 2014, Wood End, Victoria

Went to a music festival yesterday at an old caravan (rv) park. Dee’s son Nick played “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana. I love Dee and her family, they are so gracious. Being surrounded by teenagers reminds me of all the fun I had when when my girls were their age. Things I love about OZ: everyone is so nice and funny, good wine, I have a torch (not a flashlight, this makes me smile a lot more than I normally would), look RIGHT then LEFT…LOL! Turning right in traffic is a lot more life-affirming in OZ for an American than back home. Ozzie’s say “heap” when they mean “lots” and it makes me laugh a heap. I love all the cockatoos and magpies flying everywhere! Their calls are beautiful and Oz is lyrical in a way the U.S. isn’t. Off for a writing retreat today.

Feb. 18, 2014 Dee’s country house, Monegeta, OZ

While at Dee’s country house we took a champagne stroll, talked about writing and my career plans when I spot this beautiful kangaroo jumping in the bush––the very first kangaroo I’d seen in the wild. (It was ridiculously exciting for me to spot the kangaroo, as you can tell by my inability to get a really great shot.)

to be continued…..