Monday, March 22, 2010

Last night my husband Art said, "You'll enjoy not working for about two weeks." "And then what?" I asked. "Then you'll be running around like a headless chicken, looking for something to do."

I hope not.

One of my plans for after June 25 is to explore teaching English as a second language. Yesterday I found an online course - 120 hours with an option to practice teaching. I think I might want to volunteer when we're traveling - maybe even when we're home - and I think the course will help me decide whether that's really the case.

This online program I found is 30 percent off if I sign up by March 31, and I have six months to complete the course. I'm tempted by the price, but not by the timing. See, between now and my last day of work I'm practicing doing less on the weekends. If I start this class now that won't happen. If I buy the class now and wait three months until I actually start the coursework, I'll have to get the 120 hours done in three months rather than six. That won't work, either, with the trips we've scheduled for the summer.

I want to have enough to do in the first few months so I don't have time to be the headless chicken. Then, when I emerge from my multiple activities in about October, I'll have been not working for four months and I'll already be used to it.

I want to get a running start on retirement!

2 comments:

#1Nana said...

That's the challenge of retirement...learning to enjoy not having to do anything. You are so much better prepared than I was because you're actually thinking about what you want to do. I'm gradually learning to accept that I don't have to be working to be happy or productive. It's enough that I'm enjoying sleeping late and taking a bike ride anytime the weather is good and visiting the library every week.

Ms Sparrow said...

Aha! I finally tracked you down via Theresa's blog comments. I tried to post a picture but screwed it up in typical fashion. I retired five years ago coming Sept 1st. I know how stressful it is facing all the unknowns. But, you get to make travel plans and that's the best part of all!