We burnt our candle at both ends during our final weeks in L.A. For me in particular, it was tough to say good-bye to clients and coworkers at the Child and Family Guidance Center where I have been working for two years. Oddly, though, it did not bother me too much to be taking such a long break from a very brief career thus far as a child psychologist. For Dallas, who has been successful employed as an electrical and systems engineer in the defense industry for the last seven years, it was easier to say adios to his current gig in order to pursue his dream to circumnavigate. Even so, there was much for both of us to do on a professional and personal level to prepare for our departure.

For example, since we were moving onto a boat, it was necessary to super-down-size our possessions. This was fairly easy given that neither Dallas nor I are too attached to material goods. However, I have to admit that I have an aversion to throwing things away, but I didn’t have to thanks to the popularity of craigslist.org and to the convenience of the Goodwill center nearby.

We also managed to spend some Quality Time with great friends (many of whom were fellow transplants from the Midwest) before we left. Highlights included Erik spending the weekend with us and helping us pack, heading up to Yosemite with our great friends Kopan and Julia, Lauren’s going away party at Lizzette’s house, and seeing our favorite local band, Fokushima (check ‘em out on www.myspace.com/fokushima), one last time. Dallas also ventured to Chicago the weekend before we left where he surreptitiously watched the Cubs clinch the National League Central Division championship.

Erik!

Dallas & Kopan in Yosemite

My favorite neighbors Allison & Brenna

Of course we had to hit our favorite local spots one last time and were fortunate to find our favorite regulars there — Jalil “the Rockin’ Moroccan”, Andy, and J-Dog at the Venice Bistro (on the boardwalk of Venice beach) and Liz from Jersey, who was running the pool table at JP’s (our dive in Santa Monica) as usual. While there, we met some new people with whom we enjoyed discussing our reasons for leaving L.A. We never tired of hearing people’s reactions. Some gave us incredulous looks, focused on potential dangers, and strongly recommended that we have guns on the boat so as to fend off pirates. Others became excited for us, shared their own experiences traveling, and suggested must-see locations around the world. The most interesting reactions were those in which others indicated that our plans inspired them to contemplate how they, too, could seize the day. In the course of writing this blog, hopefully there will be many opportunities to convince people that one does not need to be in their sixties or wealthy to pursue adventure…