Just the other day my daughter asked, “Mom, if I moved to Italy would you visit?” Since Pennsylvania is in the middle(hopefully the end!)of a cold snap and a friend tells me the weather in Italy is in the 70s I answered “Visit? I’d move in!” Each winter the idea of moving South becomes more and more tempting. After all, all my work is online so I could easily move that. My senior parents are another story though. [No, mom I'm not saying you're old. You must have misread that.] So here I sit in PA, wrapped in blanket with my wicked witch socks on. [My husband say he's knows winter has arrived when I start wearing my wicked witch socks to bed. They defy explanation. Stay tuned tomorrow for a photo of them--and my beautiful legs!]
If you have answered the call to pick up your life and reinstall it somewhere else you’ve got to contribute to this new anthology. Gina Greenlee, author of Postcards and Pearls, which I reviewed on Friday is working on two new books. Here’s your chance to share your adventures with the world.
Postcards and Pearls: Life Lessons from Solo Moments on the Move
Hello, I am seeking vignettes from women age 25+ who have moved to a new geographic region (city/state/town/country) where they knew no one. Also, they moved to this place because they were seeking a new way of life that they felt this place would provide. They did not move for more conventional reasons such as family, romantic relationship or professional opportunity.
If you are woman who has made such a solo move and has had memorable experiences (hilarious, challenging, poignant, surprising, joyful, spiritual) that you would be interested in sharing with others, I’d love to hear from you.
Please tell your story by E-MAILING YOUR RESPONSES TO THE ELEVEN OPEN ENDED QUESTIONS BELOW to gina@ginagreenlee.com. Contributors receive a free copy of the book when it is published in late fall 2010. Please indicate if you wish to have your full name printed in the acknowledgments section of the book or if you wish your story to be anonymous, meaning first name used in the story only.
Thank you.
QUESTIONS
1. What was the motivation for your leaving the place where you were living to move to the place that “Called” to you, that felt more like “home”? What was it about that place that attracted you? How did you discover/learn about it?
2. What was the process by which you moved to this new place? Did you take a research trip first to feel it out? Did you conduct Internet research? Or did you just pack up your belongings and move?
3. What did you expect life would be like in this new place before you moved there? Once you arrived and started your new life, did the new place meet your expectations? Exceed your expectations? Disappoint in any way?
4. What happened during the move itself (what were the circumstances – did you fly, drive, rent a truck, sell everything;) and what were the predominant feelings associated with it?
5. How did you go about creating your new life? (e.g., employment, hobbies, establishing a community of friends, etc.)
6. What were your biggest challenges after you relocated? How did you surmount them?
7. What are your greatest joys/pleasures about the place you moved to?
8. What did you learn about yourself during this process of finding your new home and creating your new life?
9. What lessons have you applied to your everyday life as a result of this move?
10. Are you still living in this place? If yes, how long have you been there? If not, why did you move and where did you move to?
11. What is your age and occupation? If you are retired, what did you while you were working?