A Trip with a one way ticket – Fantastic Fifty
I have been itching to write this post for about a month now. I wanted…
We could say that this is a continuation of my blogging journey. Today I am going to talk to you about my recent move, my trip with a one way ticket.
Full of DIY projects. Full of learning. Full of new friends. But most of all full of work.
Lots and lots of work!!
I am not a traditional blogger, I have never taken a proper blogging course in my life. I kind of learned backwards. I’m sure many of my blogging buddies know exactly what I’m talking about.
Why did I start blogging?
I was able to overcome all that because in blogging I found a passion for DIY and more specifically re-purposing and up-cycling. There is great joy in being able to take something that is headed for the trash and give it a second life. Maybe that is an analogy for my life as well.
Many of us who are empty nesters have this feeling of no purpose after their children are grown. In my case, although I was not an empty nester, I had children who did not need my help as much as before, I so I was free to pursue my own interests. Also I had been a stay at home mom for over twenty years. If I was going to get back into the job market I needed to have a something to show for it. Because we know how valuable moms are, but the big companies don’t really see that as something worthy on a resume.
I plodded on. The first few years I had no clue what I was doing, I did a lot of learning by going on other blogs and lots of Facebook groups where the bloggers shared their knowledge.
Like the one that has created this wonderful blog hop today. We are just a bunch of gals helping each other out. And it was good because I was determined to grow my blog just the way I do my projects — frugally!
The Never Ending Recession…
Greece is a gorgeous country as many of you who visit my blog already know. And if you don’t I have a ton of photos to help you along. It is the perfect place to plan a retirement. In fact I have a lot of friends who are doing just that. One couple in particular, who are bloggers at TravelnWrite, just moved to Greece on a full time basis after selling their home in the States. I could really enjoy retirement here!
It is great for us older folks who don’t have to worry about raising a family or putting down a mortgage. When all we have to worry about is which beach to go to, what meal to cook, where to go out in the evening for a walk. It is paradise!
But when you are young, those are not the most pressing questions on your mind. You want to move forward, to learn, to create and eventually to get married and start a family. This is proving to be quite difficult for many young people today because the average monthly income is about 500 euros. Now that may not sound like much and in fact it isn’t, but things are not so expensive in Greece as they are in other places in the world. The point I’m trying to make is that even so, it is very hard to raise a young family on that kind of income. Even if we have a lower standard of living.
…Which Seems to have Turned into a Depression
And for the rest of our family? We would wait till the girls finished high school and decide if we would stay in Greece or leave. Well, truth be told, we didn’t have to wait six years in order to come to a very definitive conclusion. This recession which seems to haveturned into a depression for some of us has shown no signs of letting up.
We did all we had to do as a nation. We got rid of the old politicians and put new ones in their place because they were supposed to show us the light. They would stand up to the European bad guys and demand that the bailout we had received be reduced or even better erased all together. Otherwise we threatened to leave the European Union. Well guess what? Our threat was an empty one. We now owe more money than we ever have before… in fact, it seems as if our debt seems to be mounting.
Honestly, I stopped paying attention to the propaganda spewed on the TV years ago and have gained my health. After all the nonsense that went on a few years ago I realized that very little has changed. It is harder than ever to start a business and even harder to keep one afloat!
It became painfully obvious to us that the girls would also be better off leaving the land of their birth.
New York
You don’t sit there and hope for the best when you see that the government has not changed and the politicians are still arguing with each other when there are too many people below the poverty level.
You don’t sit there when a sizable number of youth have left the country and moved to other European countries to try and have a better quality of life. This is the so called brain drain. We have a very high number of college graduates who have been reduced to waiting tables – if they are lucky. But to get those college diplomas, many families have had to sacrifice and sell property in order to pay for their “free” education.
We have moved to New York. Permanently! Because I honestly don’t see any substantial changes happening in Greece for another 20 to 30 years. Maybe the next generation will be able to implement some changes. I hope so, I really hope so.
We have left all of our friends behind, my children’s classmates who are off to college now, armed with their hopes and dreams. I pray that they can realize these aspirations. They are all great kids and are not at fault for the mistakes of the older generations or the European politicians who went along and encouraged this mess.
The Melting Pot of the World
I am so glad to finally be here. To give a chance to the kids to make a new life for themselves. A life that they truly want and not one they have to settle for. My youngest wants to be a filmmaker. This is something that would have been impossible in Greece. At least now, she has a fighting chance.
As for me, I’m planning to retire in beautiful Greece but that is in the future. For now I will continue to blog in the land of opportunity and hope to grow and prosper with my blog. Because being fifty is really fantastic once you realize that if you put your mind to something you can achieve a lot. I am living proof of that.
And I hope you join me along for the ride. Now for the big question! Do I need to change the name of the blog from “the boondocks” to “the big city”? (wink)
Linking up to these Link Parties
This blog is for entertainment purposes only; my DIY tutorials are not professional advice. Read my full disclaimer here.
I love it when I get your comments and I will try reply to them or visit you on your blog. Please do not add a hyperlink to your comment, otherwise we cannot publish it.
Mary, I’m sure this was a difficult decision, but at least your family is reunited and your daughters will benifit from being able to persue their dreams. I’m sure there will be adjustments to get used to but think of it all as a wonderful adventure! As you said, Greece will be a place you can go back to retire in one day. Best wishes!
Thank you Pat. If there is one thing that I’ve learned from your blog it is that the States have so much beauty to see that I will have no need to go back again.
WHAT? You’re here!!! Yippee! I know you have a heavy heart…but I like you’re thinking that you’ll be able to head back in several years for your retirement….nothing is permanent. Welcome back my friend!
Hugs, Lynn
I’m singing that famous Sinatra song! And I love the energy of this city. I’ve got it under my skin!! 😉
I can only imagine how many thoughts and feelings were running through your head when boarding your plane to the USA. Hoping for an endless path of open doors for you and your family as you forge a new life in New York. Hugs from Canada! xo
Thank you so much sweet friend. I am so looking forward to this new chapter of our lives. We may have had the sun and sea in Greece but that is not always enough.
Good luck, Mary!!! I believe you have taken the right decision about your family! I wish you all the best in the Big Apple!!!
Thank you so much Marie-Anne. It was the only possible decision in light of the fact that two of the kids were already here. As you know we Greeks love our families and always like to be close to them.
Wow. Just wow. I am so excited that your family is all together in not only the same country, but the same state! And I am also saddened that you had to leave Greece. What a mix of emotions! But that is what happens as we grow as families. Things change, places change, opportunities change. I pray many blessings for you… And no, The Boondocks is a state of mind – just like New York.
Paul thanks so much for that. It is just what I needed to here. The boondocks was born at a certain time in my life when I really needed to do something and it has been really therapeutic for me. And now I have taken that therapy with me to New York. You are so right.
I was wondering Mary, thanks for sharing. I am glad you have this opportunity. Now i am wondering why you lived in Greece in the first place. That would be a fun story to share. You have also given me hope that one day i can make it as a repurposer. You are so good at it, i thought you had been doing this forever.
Kellie I had written about why we had originally moved in my one year blogoversary. If you have energy to read more here it is: https://www.theboondocksblog.com/home/one-year-blogoversary
Good luck on your journey as well. It really is hard when the kids are young. I waited to do this till they were older.
Finally got back from the office, working all day today.I was looking forward to reading your post! I knew that Greece had issues for a long time. I read an amazing article in Vanity Fair 10 years ago and how corrupt the government was and all the horrible bilking of the system. The government is definitely to blame! I am sure you can retire there if you want. I am finding that it easier without kids at home and just visits on the weekends. My dream is to retire and not worry so much about how the kids are doing and just retire and do the things I love without any hassle! Glad you are in NY so when I come down to visit my daughter We can meet up!. Maria
Maria I am definitely looking forward to meeting up when you come to NY. The government is definitely to blame we had almost gotten ourselves out of the hole at one point but then we jumped back in again.
I am so glad to be here now. It may not have the blue skies and seas but that will not secure a future for the kids. Anyway there is so much beauty all around me of another kind.
Welcome to the US. I hope that your children can succeed in pursuing their dreams here. You are be a great example of determination for them to follow. I hope also that you can succeed in pursuing your dreams successfully and maybe want to stay here. If not then I hope that you are able to joyfully retire to Greece.
Thank you Iris. I am happy to be back home, where I really feel I belong. No matter how many years I lived in Greece I could never understand how things worked, or didn’t work or why the politicians were so insensitive.
Congratulations Mary. Its true that your homeland is stunningly beautiful, but that doesn’t provide careers. It will be so great to have the family together again.
It sounds like a very smart move Mary and hopefully much much easier to succeed with the immense amount of effort you put into it.
Thank you so much Leanna. I am so looking forward to moving on here in New York. I felt like I was spinning my wheels over there.
Wow Mary! That is HUGE! I am so happy that you are reunited with your boys and that your girls get to live the American dream with you. It must have been a giant undertaking to make the move but I’m glad you’re happy and settled and still planning on blogging.
I love that we’ve met along the way and I look forward to following along with your new adventures xx
Leanne | http://www.crestingthehill.com.au
Leanne it was long overdue, if we could have we would have left earlier but I wanted to wait till the girls were done with high school. It was definitely the right thing to do.
Mary, I am so sorry that you had to lave Greece because of the economy. I am so impressed though that you put your childrens futures first. America is lucky to have wonderful people such as your family here. I wish all of you great health , happiness, joy and prosperity….above all else, I wish you peace in your new home and country.
Jeannee
Don’t feel bad Jeannee. I got over it a long time ago when I saw that the government was doing nothing to improve the situation. You know there were another 3 countries in the same hole as us, and they managed to dig their way out years ago, but we only dug a bigger hole. I am lucky to feel right at home here and so the transition is easy.
Mary, I’m thrilled you’re here in NYC, but I know this had to have been an extremely difficult decision you and your family had to make. To love a country so much and to have to leave it for the sake of the family must have been really hard to do. At least you’re all together again and some day, you and your husband can go back to live in Greece in your retirement years.
I am one of those people that is only happy when I am with my loved ones so Carol I don’t worry too much about what I left behind. I only feel bad for all those wonderful kids and pray that something good will happen for their sake.
Phew! I’m a bit speechless really. Sure this is a decision with profound effects, one you didn’t take inconsiderately. And it’s always hard to give up home, to leave every-one and everything one loves and cares for behind – till the next visit – maybe.
I take my hat off to you, dear Mary! You sure didn’t make us suspect anything alike, so it is a big surprise! I wish you all the luck in the world. I’m sure things will work out fine, for you as well as for your children. It’s always better take matters into one’s hands instead of waiting for help that will never come. And for sure it’s no use waiting politicians or politics to change.
And as you will keep on blogging, we’ll happily go along this journey with you!
Big hug,
Marjan
Thank you dear Marjan. What you said is so true you have to take matters into your own hands instead of waiting for others or for help that will never come. Maybe if more of us had done that in Greece we would not be in this mess now.
This is wonderful for you and your family, Mary. I hope the girls will soon adjust and find new friends. For your blog as a business it should be beneficial being located in the US. I guess you have a lot more opportunites for cooperations etc. Wishing you and your family all the best for your life in the States.
Thank you so much Julia. I am happy to be here and have my sleeves all rolled up and ready to work. It was the best decision for us so we can move forward with our lives instead of being on permanent hold.
Wowza, Mary! First let me say how sorry I am that you had to leave your home. I enjoyed the beautiful photos and vicariously walked with you on the evening strolls. I will miss that, as I am sure you will. And, welcome! I look forward to seeing where your adventures take you in New York and beyond. If you find yourself in my neck of the woods give me a holler.
Jolena I am not sorry at all. We came to this decision a few years back, with the hope that maybe something would improve. Well nothing did and so we just moved forward with our decision. It has been years in the making. I’ll admit it is harder for the kids than for me, but even they wanted it because they felt their lives were on hold there.
Oh Mary. I’m so glad you shared your story in detail – it’s so important to know what’s going on in the world! Even though being a European citizen myself (and I’m also experiencing the difficulty of being a young adult looking for a job and a “future”) I didn’t know that the situation in Greece was still that bad. I can only imagine the emotional roller coaster you must have gone trough lately. But I’m happy for you that things seem to fall into place for your family now! Crossing my fingers for your daughter to become a filmmaker, that’s so cool!!
All the best, and I’m looking forward to see your blog grow and prosper even more 🙂
Maisy
Maisy it really is that bad and shows no signs of letting up. Our decision has been years in the making. And we thought about it long and hard. There are many young Greek people who have moved to Germany and England because of this. Everyone deserves a chance to try and attain their dream. In Greece the youth do not have that opportunity at all. They are given part time jobs that are not enough to live on. I wish you lots of luck in your job search. You are going to do great.
I enjoyed your story Mary! It must have been so hard to leave Greece behind, and I’m sure you were torn. I’m so sorry that the political and economic situations remained at such a standstill. It’s a darn shame that there’s no opportunities for young people to have careers in Greece either. Hopefully they’ll be able to move toward their dreams in the US.
Love that pic you chose for the featured image!
That picture is the Oculus. It is a transportation hub that leads to a number of trains going all over NY. It is located next to the Freedom Tower. Florence that thing is sooo tall, even taller than the twin towers. I still remember them with sadness.
Congrats to your move Mary! I love NYC! I have lived there for almost 2 decades. There is no other place like it in the world. The fact that your family is together now must make you super happy!
Plus, you are a former New Yorker – it really is a beautiful homecoming, isn’t it? Hugs!
Ilka I am so so happy to be here reunited with the other two kids. I feel like I am finally home. Thank you so much for your warm wishes and next time you come up for a visit we have to get together.
Hi Mary, I’m sure your move across the world wasn’t an easy one but you did it for all the right reasons. Uniting your family will have so much positive impact on you and your kids. It is horrible what our politicians will do for greed, even here it still happens. I hope to visit Greece one day because it seems such a magical place.
Welcome Home!
Thank you so much Toni. I feel confident that this was the right decision for us and am happy to be back home. The kids will adjust. At least here the politicians give something back, in Greece it was all take.
Mary, you have such a wonderful, positive attitude, so the move will surely prove to be the best thing for you. I’m so looking forward to reading all about your new life!
Thank you Jean. I am positive because since I started blogging it has opened up so many doors for me and made me realize that almost anything is possible as long as we try.