My 5- (or 7-, or 10-) Year Plan

Goals and priorities are tough sometimes, aren't they?!

I have slowly been forming a plan in my mind, of how to live the rest of my life in a manner that interests me and allows me to love the people who matter to me, and to make some difference in the world.

Unless something changes, my tentative "5-year plan" is to stay here in California, work, save some money, and then do something else. Pretty specific, huh? Seriously, I love working with numbers, and researching, and helping people learn (sometimes known as "teaching"). There isn't much call for French teachers down here in Monterey. I love doing taxes, too. This tax season, I am going to do just that. I am also working on getting my teaching credential, just in case the rest of my intentions fall through. I am going to stay in Monterey at least through the end of the summer, 2006.

Then, I might consider moving up to the Bay Area somewhere, preferably San Francisco, or toward San Francisco. I like San Francisco. There are more jobs up there that are more tailored to my skills, education and interests. There are more Francophones up there. Silicon Valley is okay, too, but I would personally rather be on that end of the valley that is closer to San Francisco. I hate to drive, as everyone knows, so I'd rather live where there is BART or something of the sort, so that I could keep my driving to a minimum.

Eventually, though, I want to live somewhere where I can do work that I like to do, that I am good at, and that helps people in some way, shape, or form. And, someday I want to live somewhere where I can have a horse, maybe even a cow, preferably with a river or stream. Carmel Valley would be nice. Or Saratoga. Or France. The three are often compared when people are trying to figure out shwere to live, doncha' know!! Carmel Valley, Saratoga, France - six of one, half a dozen of the other!!

I want to have a horse, maybe a cow, my dog, my kiddies, and the kitties. If I go back to France, it wouldn't be for at least 3 years. Probably not for 7.

I want to work and save money here, and then move there, buy a place where it isn't too cold or rainy in the winter (or any other time of year, for that matter!), and teach English, do research, write, take pictures, and make art. Whether here or there, the ultimate goal remains the same.

I just don't know that I would ever make enough by myself to buy anything here in CA.

My depression is horrible in the Midwest. I need a relatively temperate climate to keep that somewhat at bay. I am seriously considering somewhere in the south of France. I can always visit Brittany in the summertime. I love eastern France as well, but fear the winters there are too similar to Minnesota winters for my taste and my health.

If it worked out financially, or if I actually met someone who was "strong enough to be my man," I might reconsider the matter of geographical location, but the basic plan is the same. I want to do research, work with numbers, be it in taxes or statistics, teach, write, draw, take pictures, love people, garden a little, hike, take care of the people I love, ride a horse, maybe have one cow (I LOVE cows since my years on dairy farms in Brittany), and "live in a house by the side of the road, and be a friend to man."

I don't think my dream is so extraordinary. And I don't believe it is undoable.