Weathering the Storm with the WP#58

Burning the candle at both ends is what this past week and the next several months will be. I have many irons in the fire and I am not complaining, just stating the facts, and continuing to enjoy life.  While I have been working full-time at the store, I also am working on many different travel adventures for my valued clients, as we work our ways out of the pandemic, and of course, planning my future, wherever it will take me (oops, the kitty is out of the burlap), but you all know where I want to be. I added another activity to my already very busy schedule, which I may have mentioned last week in passing. I went back to school. No not teaching and not back in a college classroom but taking an intensive 11-week Teaching English as a Foreign Language program, so I can receive certification to teach overseas.  This program known as TEFL, was offered pre-Covid in a shorter in person offering, but is now online, the way things are done more and more. In the end, it is another avenue for me as I approach my future now at 60. 

As most of you know, I have been an educator in some way or another, for the past 35 years, first as a tutor, teaching English to Brazilian children in the New York City public schools, then as a paraprofessional, then an elementary school teacher in the same system. After leaving New York City, I continued teaching back in Minnesota in several school systems in both regular and special education, and in the past 16 years, working in a before and after school and summer childcare program. As well as this, as a professional travel advisor and planner, I have, for almost 25 years, not only planned travel for clients and but also educated them on the nuances of different types of travel. I have been there for colleagues who needed advice, so being an educator has been part of who I am. Once an educator, always an educator. ​

I also have been trying to keep track of the latest and gravest crisis and remaining optimistic that it will end sooner rather than later as it may have an impact on the world of travel, hopefully not.  I have, however, not stared at the TV constantly, as I need to remain as levelheaded as possible. The impact here in this country is obvious, with gas and food prices going higher, but people are dying in Ukraine and not just members of the military, but many civilians, for no reason other than the insanity that is Putin and his clamping down of anyone, even more than before, who opposes his actions. I don’t want this to expand beyond those borders, but I am realistic of this possibility. Are we prepared? That is the question. 
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While the sanctions seem to be working, they are not working as quickly as I am sure everyone had hoped. It would be nice if there were a diplomatic way out of what is happening, and I know that attempts have been made via several avenues, but I am not optimistic about that. Something must happen internally in Russia for this to end, including the possibility that the military turns on him. Who knows if this will happen and even if it does, will it be any better? Not sure there either. Russia in its long history, does not have a good track record and a very short history of “democracy”, if you can call it that, so for that to happen, something dramatic must happen and I certainly don’t have any insight there, but in speaking with others, there seems to be that sentiment. The alternative that I won’t even discuss here is like a black cloud hanging over us, but I hope that cooler heads prevail, and we are able to minimize further damage. 

I know I am very upbeat on when it comes to my blogs and what I am doing professionally and what I want to pursue in concert with what I am already doing is what drives me and the person that is my focus, of course!!! But I need to also express what I feel about the world out there right now and with Covid – 19 seemingly waning or at least having a handle on it with vaccines and therapies for those who want it, those in my industry, directly impacted by the events of the world constantly, need to be on top of the situation and always vigilant of what might be around the corner. What we do is more than plan travel. We keep up to date on many different facets of life that may impact our valued client’s travel as well as our own. I will not stop traveling and I won’t put my head in the sand, as I must be a good example for my clients. Careful yes, scared, no, not really. And the first week of school was good. Weird being back in class, but never to late to learn something new and the last time I did formal education was when I went to travel school, some 27 years ago. 

As always, I am interested in your thoughts, comments, questions and adding to the discourse is always appreciated be in on the site itself or on Facebook, Twitter or wherever you read this. Thank you for your support of this small business and it is truly appreciated!!!

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