​Almost a year ago, I started writing these blogs and now I have reached number 50. I suppose this is a milestone moment in the writing of these blogs about my personal and professional experiences, thoughts, and ideas. Maybe I said this at number 25, I really don’t remember, and it really is not that important, but I very much appreciate those who have followed my writings and babblings about different experiences that I have had, read about, and mused over the past year. I am not going to do that now, however, but simply give perspective on why I have done them. 

Do you think since Omicron came at us and overwhelmed us so quickly, it will burn out quickly, as well? I do, but I also plan to remain as vigilant as I can and hope you will also. If we have learned anything over the past two years, Covid is not going away any time soon and we will have to live with it. I have, you have, and we all have and that is how this third year will be and into the foreseeable future, but I am not here to rail about this, except that, if I have learned anything, it is that the simple things are the best things.

​I left Minnesota some 5 months ago, essentially leaving everything I knew and most of my possessions and I don’t know when I will be back. I will, of course, get back there at some time, but not for at least another 5 months, and that is not a bad thing. I was hoping that I would find out some things about myself when I left there and how I would handle the changes. Yes, I had a place to stay, house-sitting for my brother and his family, but I was hoping for something more, a clarity about life and hoping by getting away from the known of the last 30 years, I would be able to figure out some things and I have. Most of that stuff I have left in storage now since the end of May, I really don’t need and yes, there are sentimental things and things of value, but they are just that, things, and I am paying for their safe keeping for now. 

Happy New Year everyone and let’s hope that 2022 is a better year than 2021 and for sure 2020. I am on the move again, no, not to another state or back to Minnesota, and not for the foreseeable future, but a different part of New Hampshire. My days of house-sitting are done; actually, they were done about 6 weeks ago, so being the nomad I am, I moved on and now have a place of my own again, albeit short term temporary. This is not a bad thing and I have the month of January to reflect and gain some new perspectives. I still work the job in town and still working in this amazing industry called travel and hoping that Omicron does not short circuit it again in 2022. Of course, February, this year will be very special, fingers crossed. 

Well, we have come the last week of 2021 and it certainly has been one to remember or perhaps forget, depending on your perspective. I hope all of you survived the Christmas rush and enjoyed time with your family and friends. As this year has moved forward, there were hopes that the pandemic would be over, but that has turned out to not be the case. In fact, it is still here, but with a different twist, one in which we have learned, for the most part to live with Covid. We have vaccines and we have testing. We now have pills that have just been approved by the FDA, so more and more light at the end of the tunnel. 
That is the optimist in me and how I have weathered this storm. The realist in me says we are in this for more time, perhaps another year, but hopefully no more. There were those that said 2021 would be a turning point, and in a way, it has been for those getting vaccinated. For those not vaccinated, there is a still a window, or there was to travel to many destinations. I have been able to travel again, 3 times to Europe, and postponed client trips from 2020 have taken place and more on the horizon, as well as clients currently in Mexico and Iceland to end this year off on a positive note. There will still be many bumps in the road, but the longer this goes on, the more we will learn and hopefully, not repeat the mistakes of the past. I have seen the damage done and I have friends that opted to not get vaccinated and that is their choice, and I can’t convince them otherwise, and some have contracted Covid. All I can do is wish them the best. I can’t, nor will I tell them what to do. It is their life to live, even though we do not live in a vacuum and what one person does or does not do, does affect others. 

Well, the week of Christmas has arrived and with this weekend’s snowfall here in New England, it has a feeling of a winter wonderland and for those who will celebrate this coming Saturday, I am quite sure they are most pleased. When I have worked at the store, there is a feeling, and the chaos of the season is in full swing. And, while I do not personally celebrate the holiday, I have most definitely, fallen into the spirit of what it means and the importance relative to current situation here in America and around the world. 
I have spoken about the possibilities, the connections and everything in between about my personal and professional life when I started writing these blogs at the beginning of this year and I have a true appreciation that you are reading what I have to say. I don’t hold things back and say what is on my mind. I have always done this and having this forum is a nice way to put my thoughts and feelings out there. Sometimes I have said some, perhaps, controversial things, sometimes, it is just about the passion about what I do professionally and expressing my desire to see the world, after nearly two years get back to normal, or as many have said, learn to live with the virus. I have been vaccinated and I have been boosted and even though at the store they have now said it is my choice to wear a mask, I still do for the most part, for me and my safety and for those around me. I am used to it, and it does not bother me and frankly, my livelihood depends on it.