Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Confucius
A couple of weeks ago, my husband and I took a trip to celebrate getting all three of our sons to 18 without having to embrace any surprise grandchildren or post any bail. Little did I know that while celebrating, I'd also discover my calling.
Yes, this Midlife Jobhunter has decided what she wants to be when she grows up - a professional vacationer. I have no idea why I didn't think of it sooner. I'm so good at recess. I can even prove it.
See how well I sit at this table in an open window restaurant drinking my wine. I'm so happy.
And my toes - look how good they look after a wave swishes over them.
Look how comfortable I am on this beach. I have my cooler, my float, my hat, my book (although I must say this wasn't the best time to lend my only smut book to the Fragrant Liar. Those I brought were much too tame for vacation alone with my husband. )
Who, by the way, never said a word that even though I'd hauled my snorkel gear all that way, only used it for about ten minutes.Besides, it was much more fun to look at views like this..
and this...
and this...
and this...
and this...
Yup! I think this is gonna work for me.
Sounds like the perfect job! I'll join you :)
ReplyDeleteIt's called being a Travel Writer. And you could do it!
ReplyDeleteGlad you have found your vocation in life before it is too late - some people never do!
ReplyDeleteHa ha, heaven found! You spell vocation with an a :)
ReplyDeleteTravel while you are still young. It is easier and less expensive
ReplyDeleteI didn't listen to Confucius and I've spent almost 25 years in jobs I mostly hate.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you now. Professional vacationer sounds perfect! Are you hiring, or do you know who is? ;-)
Love the pictures; please tell us more about that vacation. I've never been to Turks and Caicos.
oh best wishes with the new job! sounds fab *wink*
ReplyDeleteWhere are the photos taken? Looks like a wonderful place.
Keep me in mind if you ever need an assistant or standin?
ReplyDeleteI am with Wanda...I would be a great assistant's assistant.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you need to hire a back-up crew...all of us!
ReplyDeleteWell, they DO have professional shoppers now. Maybe your goal isn't that unattainable.
ReplyDeleteI've actually thought about applying for a job with one of those travel books where they go to Disneyworld every year and update the guide books. Sounds like Mickey Paradise to me!
Yes, this job is clearly tailor-made for you. And the toes held up well also ;) (Seriously, follow Molly's advice & become a travel writer; you'd be awesome!)
ReplyDeleteYou have found the dream profession, indeed. Let me know when you're hiring.. ;)
ReplyDeleteTravel writer. Yes! Hey, Winter was a travel writer for awhile, before her kids. Ask her about it. GREAT profession for you. I think you'll need a silly sidekick, and my hand is raised for that gig.
ReplyDeleteOkay, now this book isn't all smutty after all. Provocative and gritty, but I'm still waiting for the good smut!
So glad to read that you had a great relaxing vacation!
ReplyDeleteright on! I'm with you! ...You are very good at drinking that glass of wine and your feet do look better too! Cheers! Susan
ReplyDeleteWell until that golden opportunity comes, you know you can't have too much experience - keep training!
ReplyDeleteSounds ideal! And with views that beautiful, I would never want to leave, either. So happy that you're having fun. Have a glass of wine, for me. Cheers!
ReplyDeletePerfect!!!
ReplyDeleteSitting here shivering in the still-mid-30-degree weather even tho' it's almost April, I enjoyed both your pictures and your sentiment: You should get the Best Blog Post of the Month Award!
ReplyDeleteYou had me going for a minute there - really thought there had been an epiphanical (is that even a word?) moment. I got all excited thinking 'well, if she found her calling while travelling, and she's a writer and all, maaaaaybe it'll give me an idea.'
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Julie. Thanks for the laugh!
This is the best! Thanks for sharing. I was there with you(in my imagination)if only for a moment. I needed that.
ReplyDeleteWhy didn't I think of that? Now the only thing left to figure out is how to get said job as vacationer? Sam Brown's job looks better and better.....P.S. even your toes look rested and happy!
ReplyDeleteI've tried that vacation vocation by becoming a "Travel Writer". Unfortunately, the pay sucks!
ReplyDeleteHope you are enjoying (or enjoyed) your vacation. The location is absolutely lovely. Looks like you have the entire place to yourselves. How marvelous. I've heard that being a professional vacationer has great fringe benefits, but the pay is lousy. Oh well.
ReplyDeleteI've actually known this was my true calling for many years.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on keeping those boys of yours innocent! Well, with the two most important things that matter with us, anyway. :)
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like to be a professional vacationer too! Should I send my girls to boarding school? Hmmm...
Glad you had some fun and relaxation.
Thanks for the laugh!
Heavenly! And that is SUCH a flattering picture of you on the beach (4th photo), you know ... with your cooler and float and all.
ReplyDeleteHey, what happened? That last comment was me, not Anonymous!
ReplyDeleteI do believe you've found your calling! I was just thinking a similar thing: that if I could find someone to pay me to visit new places and have grand adventures, I'd be as happy as it's possible to be.
ReplyDeleteYou look great! And happy.
I love the plot and the characters. Keep writing!
ReplyDeleteThat's one heck of a wine glass. No wonder you are smiling.
ReplyDeleteWell you do look as though you're in a lovely place and I can't blame you for wanting to make it a permanent position! Hope the pay is good, though!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMaggie X
Nuts in May
Hello Julie!
ReplyDeleteFinally made it over here...firstly, to say WELCOME to Driftwood Ramblings (sorry I appeared tardy, but my week has been hectic and I've been struggling to catch up and keep up with pretty much everything).
Secondly, to peek at what you do in your world and Oh boy! Do I think you have a good thing going...VACATIONING PROFESSIONAL! Just love it. And look at those pretty toes!
Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures. That sea looks amazing! What a life (except you'd wouldn't find me sitting on the sand...it gets into everything and everywhere and is unwelcome on my bod!)
I can see I'm going to enjoy visiting you often from now on...so glad to have met you.
You have hit on the perfect idea. Once you get into the job, please run courses and train others. I will sign up.
ReplyDeleteOh YES! That is the perfect job:) (and I adored your reason for celebrating and taking a vacay, must remember this one!)
ReplyDeleteWhat an hilarious post! From the getting the children to 18 without becoming a grandparent to exelling at recess, I loved every word. Professional vacationer...the only problem is, who does the laundry? (Perhaps the professional husband? :)
ReplyDeleteYou could tag along with your husband when he flies all over the world! Let him work and you take off and see the sights, tho I know you really enjoy just lying in the hammock or on a float reading best of all. And you have that.
ReplyDeleteYou have been blessed, my dear.
And where, pray tell, were these lovely photos taken?
ReplyDeleteI want to go there. And. I have always known that a professional vacationer is what I am best at - that is how I ended up living in Hawaii. But I have not figured out how to make money at it - hence the day job.
ReplyDelete