So there we were, living our dreamy yet slightly risky Swiss life. Risky because any time a couple lives on one self-employed income in a foreign (and expensive) country, well, there’s always the chance that things can change quickly, leaving said couple in a precarious position. One day we were rolling along on our skin tight budget. And then, literally overnight, as they say in my homeland, “There it was…gone.”
Neil’s major client, a beloved Canadian company for whom he worked joyfully for 15 years, has decided to close—a sad event for all involved. We’ve always known this could happen, and that uncertainty was a point of discussion at every point along the way in our Big Adventure Abroad.
I always imagined if it happened we’d have a fair bit of notice, but despite my expectations, the world does not revolve around me. Merde happens. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—if you’d like to avoid surprise, you need to avoid having a pulse.
So. Will we stay in Switzerland? Will returning to Canada be the best option? Whatever happens, I’ve crossed a few items off my bucket list: I lived in two foreign countries, I wrote a book, and I learned how to swear in French. Overall, pas mal, oui? I have no idea what’s next, but then again, that was always the deal.
I am committed to being with Neil (wherever that may be) and I am committed to a career path that feels right. I just hope by the time this is over I’m not committed to an institution.
Another good read! Doors close, windows open. This will be very interesting to follow. Wishing you all the best of course and really wanting you to stay in Europe. :-)
Listen, I live in New Jersey, a world all its own. Worst case, move here. Advantages: foreign country x2, learn to swear in Jersey-isms, I have chocolate. Disadvantages: well, it’s New Jersey… Fingers crossed for a satisfying resolution to these bumps in this most scenic road you’re on.
It is true….the universe will provide and when a door closes a window does open.The trick is not to jump out of the window before the way becomes clear.
I know it will work out for both you and Neil….wishing you all of the very best potential this new uncertainty brings.
Bobbi…
I reached out to you a couple of weeks ago, little did you know the place I was in.
Over the past few years, I have basically lost everything I have worked for in life (or sold, due to financial need)… that’s speaking in material terms. Everyday, I run the numbers of what’s left in my life or what I need to keep going… then one day, your blog appeared… not even sure from where. I wrote to you… and your wrote back. And now, every morning, there is a small piece of inspiration that arrives in my drop box… purpose, clarity, and a resource I use to maneuver through the next stage of my life. I have been blessed to have wise people come and go and share their wisdom with me. The one thing I have found interesting about having to re-evaluate what I need in life is truly how little that is. Even over the past weekend, I had to strip what little is left down to less. What remained is a picture of my family, a poster of paris and one chocolate for an unrequited love.
Over the weekend, two very wise scenarios; the first, a heartbreaking story of a advice from a father to his young daughter at a time when there seemed like no hope… just keep breathing. The second, from an artist on the practicality of being self employed… find the minimum you can live on, call that your ‘nut’ and take every job you have to do to make that minimum. Everything after that is for pleasure.
This morning, after running the numbers again, I bought a small, dark roast coffee from my favourite coffee shop, a paper from the lovely man who stands outside the coffee shop (both my ways of still contributing to the community that surrounds me) and lastly… a half price bouquet of Valentine’s Day flowers… voila, la joie de vie!
In your recent news & change with Neil, strip in down to the minimum, find your ‘nut’ and keep breathing… life will surprise you, if it hasn’t already. And thank you, from this end, for being so brave at that end. You have been part of my surprise in life.
Finding her voice in St. John’s ~
paris73 :)
I know you two cats will land on your four paws and be purring in no time.
Bobbi, shouldn’t you be rolling in royalties by now?
From the look of your Blook cover, Neil is obviously a Master at his craft so this should be a tiny blip in the road with a bigger door ready for him to enter.
I’m not worried one tic for you guys, just very excited to see how it resolves.
Arlene, also living on a skin tight budget in Alberta
Good luck! All will be well.
Sending all good vibes your way, Bobbi ….. and Neil, too. I want you there in Vevey, living next door to the Barack Obama The Cat. All best, my dear.
Ah! Your words are hitting strings of resonant chords all around, Bobbi ( Where Is my red wine? And is it wise to celebrate every sunset with a glass of local Cypriot wine simply because you feel such gratitude for seeing one more exquisite one, I ponder, sipping and admiring the sky.)
My Greek is worse than your French, dear- since I can only curse in Southern American drawl and I, too, have traded ‘civilization’ and a profession to find myself in Cyprus- but solo. So when my employer evaporated, I too, went to level 6, substituting carob syrup for chocolate. It fed Alexander The Great’s forces and it’s free, so, why not?
What I hope for you is that you can eliminate all but the most necessary spending ( the wine, obviously! Well- in my case it’s so inexpensive…) and continue to write about this! Perhaps you think you’ve completed that business- but, Oxi, Agapemou- perhaps not, eh?
I’ll tell you that people are far more fascinated by watching others make scenes on stage than they are by watching sensible people live well. As you already have a blog, why can’t it earn your bread as you continue describing this ‘gift’? I’m working on the same thing, or else I wouldn’t suggest it, by the way.
My first post may well be about eating like a goat since I harvest so many free healthy organic wild weeds to make teas from and eat. It might just prove to my friends and family back in the US that I really have gone to far this time. I hope you can hold on to your happiness as the road ahead offers you some surprises!
With Love From Cyprus,
Lisa
Keep Breathing and you guys will find your way!! It’s right around the corner!
Bobbi,
Your adventure is reaching a peak that is full of potential at the moment! Embrace it and don’t resist. Nomadic Matt has some resources for finding work overseas. He is on Facebook and just compiled a book. Teaching jobs at universities (you have a PhD which is sought after in Europe-English or not). Look up north-they are doing well.
“The emotionally mature individual should completely accept the fact that we live in a world of probability and chance, where there are not, nor probably ever will be, any absolute certainties, and should realize that it is not at all horrible, indeed—such a probabilistic, uncertain world.”
― Albert Ellis
All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.
Walt Disney
Hang in there!
As a pragmatist, I know that it will take some slogging to find employment for both of you, even although you are both highly qualified in your fields. I am not in complete agreement with the “as one door closes, another opens” theory.I think it is more complex than that. With your husband’s skills in the internet/digital/web world plus his superb photography, he should certainly be a contender for jobs in that field. However, the reality is that there are many others with the same skills (I know that as I am interested in finding a web site creator for my own publication and the choice is dazzling) and the world is brutally competitive, so there are no guarantees. For an instant infusion of cash Bobbi, tutoring advanced English would be a natural for you. You would have no shortage of students! Just Helen’s helpful hints!
Yikes! Well, life is nothing if not a journey, oui? Here’s to avoiding the potholes and to reaching a safe and happy destination: wherever that may be…
Not having taken the risks that you both have, I feel very unqualified to comment. You’re both wonderfully talented people and I’m sure you will find a wonderful path, and hopefully before your ulcer can’t be cured by chocolate and wine. I have everything crossed for you both.
stay positive…it is true that when one door closes, another opens. Also — All good things come to those who wait.
In a couple of weeks or so, hopefully you’ll have some new options and choices. Worse case scenario—you come back to the homeland—you were right about that bucket list…..you have lived the dream….hope it can continue..I have a funny inkling that it will.
Cheers, and chin up :o)
I wish you the best of luck in finding your next path. It won’t be easy, but neither has anything the two of you have done the last couple of years, either. I do think that you can find joy in knowing that you’ve done more with your life than most people. And even if you return to Canada to take “regular” jobs, I have no doubt that you and Neil will continue to find adventure. And you can pursue it wearing those fabulous knee-high boots you bought for nothing.
I have no advice – our situations are uncomfortably similar. Good luck to us both.
When the shit hits the fan I’ve trained myself to think that things could always be much much worse. That doesn’t stop freaking out with stress and wishing things were different. But we must accept. If we jiggle things a bit, I think the universe does provide. I used to hate it when people said, There’s a reason for all this.. In fact I’m still wondering about that one.
Man up Bobbi. You’ll find a way. And Neil sounds like one of the most resourceful and loving guys out there. Xcat
“I dared to seek joy.”
I’m certain you can hang on to it, wherever you and Neil end up.
All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of things shall be well.
I’m sorry to hear about the sudden downturn. I know how it feels. I’ve always compared it to the flu because you cannot get comfortable whatever you do. You ache all over and feel sick to your stomach. I hope you can continue in your Switzerland home or find another that will bring happiness to you. You have your priorities in order with Rusty as the valuable partner on your journey wherever it goes. The second book will be even better now.
Five years from now…you will look back at this crossroad and barely remember why it looked so dark and dreadful. Well, at least that’s been my experience of losing a great job about a dozen times, going broke about every other year of my life, being dumped/being the dumper, etc.
When I have lived overseas and been in a jam I’ve hot-footed it to the American Embassy in the nearest capital city. Not for official help: just to find out where the ex-pat community is and asking around for help. Jobs, apartments, even new boyfriends have appeared just by letting people know what I needed. Maybe not on my timetable of ” I want it yesterday”, but stuff turns up. Is there an American or Canadian cultural center in CH? That might be a good place to start.
We are already in awe of your creativity and spirit and courage — now you can amaze us with your grace and your toughness.
xxoo
Oh, how stressful — I’m so sorry to read this, Bobbi. You’re not ready for this Swiss adventure end — and neither are your readers! But we will roll with the punches, as you do. Hang in there. Change is always scary but it’s not always bad…
You know of course that I love you both and would at this time like to offer you many wise and loving thoughts…but I’m just wondering if you can afford the postage to send me that sweater since it would likely fit me now. ;)
hmm..that comment was supposed to be left on the “stranger than fiction” comments….