LaLa's Adventures Abroad

I left SF on January 28 in the evening. It was lovely to have a seat mate who was willing to take a photo for me of SF as we flew over. I am excited for this opportunity – not just for the project challenge, but for an opportunity to “reset” the next chapter of my career. As you all know, I am getting very close to the magical age of 60, and have been working very diligently in my industry for almost 39 years. I have had many extraordinary hurdles and experiences, with adventures which have fed the “wanderlust” in me while also giving me rare glimpses into other cultures and locations throughout the world.

I am going to get a bit philosophical around this chapter in my life. I have been thinking about the twists and turns of my years – many of which started as a committed focus on family – Meredith and Trevor primarily, but in the more recent years, focused on my career. I know it seems I have been overtly focused on work without a lot of priorities spend on my personal life… I do understand that perception and don’t resent it. I haven’t communicated with you a lot around what drives these decisions for me, but please know I am strategic when it comes to my life. I really want to be able to retire comfortably and without financial worry. It has been difficult being a single parent for a lot of years, and not putting away as much as I should have for many of those years. This is the driver for me. I DO love what I do, and have been blessed with so many opportunities, however, the main focus lately is looking to retirement. I want to focus back on family and caring for my family – as a daughter for my mother, a sister to my siblings, a parent to my adult children (all four of them) and grandparent to Miss W. and Mr. H. So, I agreed to this opportunity in order to fuel the future for me.

I cannot think of a better place to be – Dubliners are warm, funny and welcoming! I have a living arrangement that is beautiful and a community of support. Of course, I miss you all, but things are going well. I am constantly reminded of so much love in my life – I really lack for nothing.

I am happy to share my Irish chapter with you all!