I TRY to keep up with Ben.
If you know Ben, then you know that he is a most adaptable creature.
For the next chapter of our lives in Viet Nam, he reinvented himself as a bamboo industry guy ~ after this skill-set had gone dormant for a number of years.
Before we land in Hoi An, my brain is churning. With Ben about to start juggling three jobs at once, (i.e. the bamboo business in Viet Nam, the projects in India and the remaining activities in Sri Lanka), I am thinking about where I want to focus MY time and energy.
And then Ben drops a bomb shell and says he will not be keen to do additional travel in the next few months (other than whats needed for his work).
Whaaa? Come again. That is not quite what I have in mind. Coming back to Viet Nam, I am thinking about some of the places we still want to see ~ Phu Quoc island in the South, Sapa in the Northern mountains, and maybe returning to re visit some of our favorites in the region, Luang Prabang in Laos comes to mind… But Ben is adamant that we should see this coming period as centered on life in Hoi An. He wants to be focused on his work so that we can start to rebuild our resouces which have dwindled. Yup, makes sense. I get it.
So whats a nomadic girl to do?
For me, it’s just about switching my mindset around. Okay… less travel for now, more home-base focus. After all, Hoi An is a great place to be. I have no problem with the concept, I just want to add a layer of professional activity for myself.
It gets me thinking ~ If Ben can reinvent himself, then no reason I can’t do that as well….
First comes the vision thing. What would I like to do? How would I like to spend my time? Where do I want to focus my energy? Do I want to orient my life in Hoi An around painting? Do I want to volunteer somewhere to help animals? Do I want to resuscitate any one of a number of past business ideas we have had?
I start to lock in on a vision. I want to do something where I can use the skills and knowledge that I already have and I want to integrate myself within the community. Perhaps most importantly, I want to do something that stimulates me on an intellectual level. The general thrust of what I want to do becomes increasingly clear as my head starts to shift to specifics about how?, and where? and what organization might be the right vehicle for this emerging vision for my life in Hoi An?
In my experience, if the vision is clear, and a specific intention can be articulated, this is key for manifesting things coming together. The magic.
Sure enough, after less than two weeks back in Hoi An, I send out an email of inquiry and get an invite to meet the person who can be instrumental in concretising my vision for what I want to do in Hoi An, professionally.
We meet. We are well aligned. This is exactly what I had in mind, yet even better. The universe has delivered once again.
A few days later I start my new job. I am so excited it’s hard to fall asleep at night.
Before I tell you about my job, some background is required so as to understand why this is a rather unexpected turn of events.
My career has not been one straight line. Far from it. More like zigzag lightening, in and out of interesting and different professional worlds.
Over the years I have had many different professional persona. Just as I have lived in multiple countries and have lived in multiple homes, the same has been true professionally. If “variety is the spice of life”, I like my life spicy. Some people have the same job for decades and live in the same home and the same city for years.
But this is not me.
Persona 1: artist
If you were to ask Ben what my professional persona is, he would describe me first and foremost as an artist. For so many of our years together I was creative and productive and eventually earned income through the sale of my oil paintings. In Nicaragua, this persona was reinforced as I worked on a large collection of paintings of stray dogs that gave me high visibility, as they were hung in multiple venues around Granada.
I shared a huge warehouse studio space with two fellow artists in Chicago, and spent considerable hours working, while my children were in school and on weekends.
Persona 2: Interior design entrepreneur
This persona as an artist gave way to a business centric persona, when together with Ben, we cofounded Ethnicities, an artisanal interior design import business. This entrepreneurial adventure took us to Argentina for many sourcing trips, where we sought out talented designers and artisans in Buenos Aires, whom we eventually represented on the U.S. market.
Ethnicities took us into a whole new world of running our own business and of marketing to the furniture industry at trade shows across the U.S. It was the first time Ben and I were working together, running our own business 24/7. Our living room in Chicago was frequently overflowing with gorgeous Argentinian home design accessories being boxed and readied for shipment. We both loved it. It was great fun and hard work. Hours setting up at trade shows, interfacing with customers, pitching our Argentinian artisans, taking and filling orders…. Like any start up, we did just about everything ourselves.
This first exposure to business, was thrilling and I discovered that I enjoy the multifaceted problem solving of a business start up.
In an entirely different business setting, different market, with different challenges I returned to this business persona, in Nicaragua years later.
Persona 3: “Bambusera”
Ben and I decided to launch a new business, when we moved to Nicaragua, one that would fundamentally have positive environmental impact. Our business, CO2 Bambu, built low cost bamboo housing with and for indigenous populations (victims of hurricanes). My primary role in this business was as “head hunter”, finding key contributors for the business, both paid staff and volunteers, to help fill the ranks of a fast moving eco start up.
I also took the lead on social media and public relations. It was thrilling to represent CO2 Bambu and pitch our vision and achievements at investor conferences in Paris and San Francisco when we had critical need to attract investors, to fund CO2 Bambu‘s growth.
Persona 4: awakening a dormant persona…
But even before ALL this, decades ago, I had a WAY different professional persona.
I was trained in South Africa as a pre-school teacher. When I first arrived in America at age 20, I got my bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education and worked as a pre-school teacher in Miami, Florida.
I then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where I got my Masters of Education, specializing in School Psychology, at the University of Cincinnati.
I went into the field of psychology because during my years as a pre-school teacher, I was vastly aware of how unprepared I was to deal with all the behavioural and psychological challenges that crop up in a classroom. I felt a strong urge to expand my knowledge on the topic of psychology.
Shortly after I received my masters degree, I moved to Chicago where I worked as a School Psychologist, in public and private schools.
I stopped working in the school system to raise my kids. The demands of raising three spirited, active boys made it impossible for me to work full time. I needed a professional track I could do from my home and that’s when I turned to painting. My professional persona as a school psychologist thus came to an end, or rather, was put in a box on the shelf.
Over the years I continued to put my education in psychology and child development to good use, with my own children of course and with friends who asked for help with issues or problems they were having with their kids.
More recently a good friend consulted me, as her young child (who was in a neurotherapy program at a clinic in India) was having some significant behavioral issues. I was asked to help diagnose what was going on and hopefully come up with some recommendations for her and for the staff. That school psychology box on the shelf thus got reopened. My suggestions were implemented by the staff, and there were positive changes as a result. It felt good to revisit this persona and put my dormant skills and knowledge to use once again.
Rather long winded story, thanks for staying with me, to say that THIS is what I want to be doing in Hoi An. I want to return to being a school psychologist in a professional capacity. Intellectual stimulation and impact. Perfect.
My intention therefore was to find out if there were any international schools in Hoi An, that could make use of my services. (Obviously I cannot work at a Vietnamese school as I don’t speak Vietnamese.)
That meeting I had, soon after arriving in Hoi An, was with the principal of an international school. I am delighted and excited to now be the School Psychologist for her school.
And what a school it is!
There are 70 students age 2 to 12, with an average class size of six students. The students are from 40 different countries, and I love this global aspect. Teachers are a mix of Vietnamese and foreigners. Classes are taught in both Vietnamese and English (and kids can learn French or Mandarin Chinese as an added option).
If I shut my eyes to visualize a dream school, this school is precisely what I would envision: There is a permaculture class, a garden where students grow and harvest vegetables, a dance room, an art room, a music room, a pre school with its own playground, a gym, 2 pools.
My work will be case based, as needed.
The principal contacts me days after our initial meeting, to ask me to come in for my first case. That was faster than expected!
I interview the parents, observe the child, do some pertinent research. The specifics of the case require some important decision making by both the school and parents before school starts in just a few weeks, mid August. I complete the diagnostic and turn in my report with my recommendations. A second case awaits me when school starts.
I’m back at work, as a school psychologist! Life is full of twists and turns, lightning zigzags and magic.
I guess I CAN keep up with Ben!
Peta, Peta, Peta! If I were 20 years younger I’d come be your assistant FOR FREE. What a wonderful opportunity for you and an incredible asset for the school and . . . you can do art-“therapy” with the students!
P.S. I think you’ve outpaced Ben and the question is “Can he keep up with you?”
Oh what a good chuckle this gave us Judith! I will be fortunate to have two dedicated rooms to use, as I wish. One will be a play therapy room, which will have art materials, and the other will be a meditation room. I am very excited about this opportunity.
Ya Ben is the poster child for “energetic, productive and multi tasking” haha, so no worries about HIM keeping up. But thanks for the vote of confidence.
Peta
I just read this and I literally lit up with a smile. I’m so happy to hear that life has brought you to Viet Nam and back to work as a school psychologist. I’m so inspired by you and Ben! Turning lemons into lemonade ๐
Thanks Andrea. So nice to hear from you. Come and play! Would love to show you why Hoi An is such a nice place to live. To quote Mr Rogers “Won’t you be our neighbor?”
Lemon into lemonade, lemon cheese cake, lemon souffle, Moroccan lemon chicken, you get the idea!
Ben
How exciting that you’ve found fulfilling work in Hoi An, and that it evolved from an earlier career.
But I must comment on your Cool Globe because it inspired an art project I did with my sixth grade class in 2009. Ten years ago, I also taught at a very tiny school; each class only had 6 – 12 students. The Cool Globes had come to LA and I was enchanted with the idea of public art focusing on global solutions. Every student created a papier mache globe that exhibited a solution to a particular situation. The kids also wrote about what inspired them. I can’t post the photo on your site (confidentiality of these kids) so I’m sending a photo to your email.
So you can see what you helped create on an even greater basis.
Sharon this was so unexpected and so fun to read about. I had forgotten about the Cool Globe project, until putting the blog together, but it was an incredible very professional undertaking involving several dozen artists around the theme of Climate Change and environmental concerns.
I discovered that my Cool Globe now has a permanent home somewhere in San Francisco. All the globes found homes after they did their U.S. tour to various cities. Love the fact that you applied this to your art class and did the same on a classroom level scale. Thanks for sending the pic to me. Love it. What are the odds that someone reading our blog would have used the Cool Globe project idea in a different city, to inspire their own students to come up with solutions. It is a small world indeed!
Peta
Now that I can finally see the photos, my experience is richer. Don’t know why my computer has gotten friendly, certainly not because of my technical skill – nearly nil, of course – but maybe the universe has found something of value and chosen to reward me this way. I really like getting to see your art. Thank you for always posting so many photos with your thoughtful commentary. You don’t know (or maybe you do) what it means to travel with you.
Sharon! So glad you are back to having visuals and a friendlier computer. Thank you for the lovely compliments. It’s rewarding to know that our blog posts bring our travel experiences to life for you and that they are meaningful.
Peta
Well, I’m happy to hear that you’ve found something that suits you well. I enjoyed hearing about the many professional ‘yous’. Have a happy and rewarding adventure!
“the many professional yous” ~ I like that. Maybe I should go back to the title and change it to : the many professional me s.
I thought about you when writing about our Argentinian business. We always had tango music playing in our space at trade shows. Nice to read you as always Charles.
xo Peta
Gosh! Can’t keep up with either of you! Amazing energy and attitude. Very inspiring.
Well thank you for the compliments Trace.
Peta
SO happy for you, Peta! As someone who has had three distinct careers, I understand your search for work that is fulfilling and useful and stimulating. (It’s an added bonus to be able to use the advanced degrees we may have since they cost us some time and money to achieve!)
I also admire your willingness to change up your lifestyle for a while to replenish both coffers and travel energy; it’s hard to switch gears like that, but it ultimately makes you an even stronger and more well-rounded person. Hope you continue to love the new job!
Thanks Lex! Now I am curious about those three distinct careers ~ let’s hear!
I was very fortunate to receive a FULL academic scholarship for my Masters. The only cost I had was the cost of my books!
Thank you for acknowledging the challenge of “switching gears”…those coffers are mighty empty after Sri Lanka so replenishing is definitely a necessity and it is great to do it in a country where the cost of living is one of the lowest in the world and yet happens to be one of our absolute favorite places to live. So it’s a win win all around.
peta
I read your entire post with mouth wide open. You did THAT? And then THAT? And now you’re doing THIS? Again, but reinvented and in such a different setting. I am beyond impressed.
I’m so glad I’m connected to you and Ben, because you are the kinds of people (well, so many of us are the kinds of people) who we never ‘read’ about in the news, or get to know in our neighborhood (thank the lord for the internet and how it has made so many of us “neighbors”).
May you inspire many others to “reinvent” themselves, over and over again, as we give to the world with our talents and skills and love in any way we can.
Pam you note was so heartwarming to read. Thank you. I am so appreciative for the many friends that we have made via our Green Global Trek. A few we have had the good fortune to meet in person, but either way, it is definitely a huge pleasure that comes with blogging. In other words, we like being your neighbor too.
I really do think that in the current moment in history where everything is accelerating in large part because of technology and all the changes that this brings about in our society, that the ability to handle change, in fact to thrive as a result of change is the most significant skill to have. I really hope to role model to my sons that change is the only constant and an opportunity to revisit assumptions about how we want to live life.
Peta
Yes, beautifully worded. I think the older we get, the more we realize that nothing, including us, is static. Our cells change constantly, thus our thoughts and feelings and from there, our desires and decisions. But underlying all this change I think is a deep well of love that helps us stay grounded within all the change. (Sorry, getting philosophical here!)
Thanks Pam,
I like the reminder that our cells change constantly thus everything else that springs from us. What’s more, everything else around us also changes all the time, so it’s really about our mindset, whether we set out to filter out change to feel secure in some semblance of “stability”, or conversely zero in on the ever changing reality we live in, to surf a changing environment and grow and evolve. I wonder whether the proclivity to err toward stability or change is a core personality trait that over-rides our changing cells, or if thriving through change is a learned behavior…
What is for sure is that, in our case, the more we successfully manage to handle external changes, the less problematic any new change becomes. We trust, based on empirical evidence, that we can manage just fine almost whatever comes our way. Good skillset in an ever changing world.
Ben & Peta
I love this comment, Pam. You expressed so well what I too was thinking as I read Peta’s post! The internet has made it possible to know the stories of so many inspiring people and certainly Peta and Ben fall in that category!
Thanks Joanne, that’s such a lovely thing to say… That’s a high compliment.
This is amazing! A job perfect for you and the school is so lucky to have you on board. You are truly a renaissance woman with many talents but the ongoing, transferable skills are compassion, creativity and adaptability. All things required in your role as a school psychologist.It was great to read about your employment history too. All the best!
Thank you for the compliments Darlene. It definitely feels like a dream job and I am excited to get more cases once school starts mid August. And yes, I agree that those are pertinent attributes for a school psychologist. Another important one is the investigative work. It really is just like putting the pieces of a puzzle together.
Thanks
Peta
And you would be so great at that! xo
Congrats on the new job, the school sounds amazing. That’s so funny you have lived in Nicaragua as well… I have lived in both Vietnam in Nica and I think you are the first person I have met that has done the same!
Thanks Carly… When I received a tour of the school I was just amazed at how much they offer and as well at the small class size.
Where did you live in Nicaragua? and when?
Interestingly enough, there IS another woman who lives in Hoi An who lived in Granada at the same time as we did.
Peta
Wow Peta, this is just amazing. And wonderful! It sounds just perfect for you and I can feel your excitement. You can definitely keep up with Ben!
Alison
Thanks Alison.
Peta
Peta, isn’t it amazing how life seems to have come full circle for you, at least from a professional perspective? The children are so lucky to have you, not only as a school psychologist, but also as a mentor & person who has chosen to live a not so conventional life that is so full of interesting stories & life lessons to share. Wishing you the very best in this new endeavor!
Lynn I think it is very interesting when life “loops back” or re visits an earlier set of circumstances.
What I really like about this school, in addition to the small size classes and offerings such as the permaculture class, is the international aspect ~ kids from all over the world. Just from that I know that they have all witnessed their own family histories which have brought them from other countries to Hoi An.
Thanks for the good wishes
Peta
Peta, congratulations on your new job. A chance to use skills that you have in abundance. No doubt you will be a great asset to this school. Having a job will also help with a stronger feeling of integration and contribution to your newly adopted country. You and Ben are a real power couple, complimenting each other perfectly.
Thanks Gilda.
Years ago when we moved to Granada, Nicaragua, one of our first activities was to set up an art program in a school, which had no art classes. We purchased the art materials, found an art teacher etc and it is true that it did help us feel very quickly integrated as people knew us and gave us a local point of reference. We were known as the people who started the art program in a school that had never had art lessons before. It gave us a point of differentiation between us and the other foreigners.
“Power couple”? Never thought of it that way and it certainly gave us both a good chuckle. The bank account has yet to reflect that…. ๐
Peta
You certainly have many strings to your bow, Peta. Your CV is very impressive and quite astounding really.
It’s strange how we often go back to doing something we enjoyed when we were much younger. I wish you much happiness in your new job. Reinventing oneself is something I give a lot of thought to on occasion. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll also come up with something.
I like that “a lot of strings to your bow”… Thanks for the compliments.
When one has core interests or passions, even if they are dormant for years, they can be easy to resuscitate. I think that is one of the things I am really enjoying.. is how easily it is accessible.
I do believe that if you sincerely want to come up with something, then once you go through the process of refining a vision, reality catches up with that refined vision.
Peta
Congratulations Peta! How exciting to have found what you consider to be a dream school, so quickly after deciding what you want to do!
If I need the universe to manifest something for me, do you mind if I give you a quick call? ๐
Seriously though, I am thrilled for you. You absolutely can keep up with Ben.
p.s. love your art.
Deb
Thanks Deb. I think the key was the decision factor. Once I settled on a clear vision (school psychology), and a distinct intention (to see if there were international schools where I could try to collaborate) the rest flowed into place. And in both of our experiences, this pattern of envisioning, intention and manifestation has held true.
Thanks for the compliment on my art. I am looking forward to starting painting again as well…
Peta
Congratulation Peta!! An awesome turn for your career, it is said that we always come back to our first love๐ You are such an inspiring person. All the best!
Christie
Thanks Christie. I have enjoyed having so many different areas of interest and curiosity and am excited to get back to something that I am naturally drawn to.
Peta
What a brilliant outcome. Lucky you to have so many personas.
I am very pleased with the outcome, thank you. Yes I am lucky but at the same time I always think of it as more than “luck”. I absolutely believe that if we are clear about what we want, and we can put that out there into the universe, and invest the energy required to make it happen, it usually can.
Peta
How exciting! As I was reading this, I was so impressed by your extensive CV and your capacity to turn change into opportunity.
Furthermore, as a special needs classroom teacher myself, I was thinking this school sounds amazing. Classes of six students – just think how much time, attention and love teachers must be able to give their students. Best wishes for your new venture, Peta.
Change IS opportunity by definition. The one thing we can all count on in life, is change. So we both embrace it and look for the underlying opportunities that inevitably lie under the โrocksโ just waiting to be turned over. When dramatic change occur in our lives both Ben and I typically turn to the question of wondering what opportunities the change will bring.
I was amazed that no class has more than six students. What a dream situation for children to have such a great teacher student ratio, boiling down to more individual attention.
Thanks so much for your good wishes.
Peta
Hi Peta, An enjoyable read about your experiences and of your discernment in your latest chapter. Good luck in your new, exciting position!
Thanks so much Jane for your kind words.
Peta
Peta , you forgot one more asset both of you have.You are both amazing writers. Over the years, I have used a couple of your blogs to show my students how to be descriptive and how to use grabbing vocabulary to pull in the reader.
I love you both but I’m also very biased. ๐
See you in Oregon one of these days โค
Sophe, thank you for such a high compliment! How nice to read that you shared “grabbing vocabulary”. Love you too. See you for certain in Oregon. Wanting to experience that French B&B in the Oregon countryside, with river views. What’s for breakfast?
(but the invite stands if you want to come and visit Vietnam – you have otters, we have buffaloes. Same same, but different.
Bisous
P&B
I absolutely love all of this. From the staying put in Hoi An for a while to fully integrate and rebuild your resources , to reinventing yourself again and again, dipping in and out of different persona. Thereโs just nothing you canโt do. Very inspiring. Once more.
Miss you both. Iโm secretly hoping your next adventure will bring us within a closer proximity. Love you x
Thanks Kris for the superlative warmth and so glad this post speaks to you.
“there’s just nothing you can’t do” ~ au contraire! Learning Vietnamese is the first thing that comes to mind…. but I can certainly give you a long list of these haha.
Would love to be in closer proximity to you guys. Hoping at some point our geographies will align and we can be neighbors once again.
Miss you too and love you 3.
Peta
Peta I am astounded with your ability to adapt and find vision and focus. I so enjoyed reading of your many paths or personas over the years. Your openness to change and growth is truly inspiring. Congratulations on your new job. Not only does it suit you so well but I have no doubt you are a gift that has come to this school and the children and families you will guide. I look forward to hearing more of your new journey.
Sue you are too kind. Thank you for such positive feedback and such a lovely message. I certainly hope that I will be able to make a difference in the lives of the children I work with. And I am quite sure that I will learn from each of them as well. Thanks for your vote of confidence. I am definitely looking forward to school starting in a few weeks. New journeys are always exciting.
Peta
Peta, I swear you must have been a cat in another life. You have had so many lives, and all of them better than the last. Congratulations on successfully reinventing yourselves once again.
Okay Suzanne I love your comment because I am and have always been since a really young age, a HUGE cat lover! So you are probably right on that one…And I really like that imagery!
So lets see, 9 lives: the 4 in the post, and then I can add:
blog writer, global nomad, yogini = 7, so it’s good to know I have 2 more personas still coming my way.
Peta
The universe strikes again! How wonderful to have traveled full circle and landed this fantastic role in a dream school. What a blessing for you and the students. But I also have no doubt that the many travel adventures also await in your future once you and Ben have everything in order in Hoi An. So much awesome. Ahoy from Colombia.
Lisa thank you. Oh yes, there is always travel on the horizon even when we are still ~ it seems to be the way things work out for us. And yet, right now it feels good to be creating a new home base and starting a new job. Just when most of the people our age are thinking of retirement, I am heading back to work.
Enjoy Colombia. There are some incredible bamboo structures there if you get a chance to see them….
Peta
Hi Peta,
Change is definitely opportunity!! Frightening and exciting at the same time. Glad you are able to use these long ‘forgotten’ skills to benefit both you and the wider society.
You are an incredible role model. I am just impressed it only took you two weeks to fall into such a great job opportunity.
Lieve
Thank you Lievelee for your kind words and compliments. For me, once I make up my mind about something, I tend to move rather fast. So those that know me are probably not that surprised. However, of course the opportunity has to present itself and timing is everything. Knowing that school will start mid August, it made sense to me to get into gear with my goal.
Peta
That was a twist I didnโt see coming, Peta! Mostly, as I didnโt know (or forgot) about your teacher and psychologist past. I enjoyed reading this overview of your personal careers.
How wonderful that you are pursuing this path again. I totally hear you about the stimulation and the impact… Not sure whether you know, but I was trained as a school teacher – in Belgium – as well (primary school, ages 6-12) and I miss that aspect of making a difference. Also, I always โdreamedโ about working in an international school one day, since I always liked to travel.
Life, with its twists and turns and zigzag lightning bolts, had me leave my teaching job to – all spontaneously – become a nomad. If I ever have a โreal jobโ again, Iโd love for it to be as a teacher in an international school in an intriguing country. Viet Nam? ๐
Liesbet, no I did not know that you were a school teacher in Belgium. I think that international schools are the way to go for teachers who like travel ~ it’s a great way to work and live in different countries. Well now you know, that there is a dream school in Hoi An that you can come and work at one day when you ready to do that.
It’s interesting that many of my peers are retiring from jobs and I am just getting back to one. LIke you I was not getting paid for work during our nomadic years. And I really enjoyed that as well ~ having time to do exactly what I wanted, when I wanted during the day.
Peta
First of all, I had no idea you were such a talented artist! But mostly, I’m impressed with your drive and your ability to switch careers as your life required. It sounds as if this new position is perfect for you, as you are “returning to your roots” but doing so in a whole new country. And at an amazing school as well!
Thank you Ann for the lovely compliment. I am hoping to get back to my painting as well. All though I used to work in oil paints and here I can only find acrylics, so it will be interesting to make that change too.
It’s definitely an added twist to be working as a school psychologist in Viet Nam! How cool is that? That would definitely have been hard to predict, just two months ago.
How unpredictable life can be.
Peta
This is so cool Peta! You certainly didn’t waste any time finding your new (old) niche. Congratulations! It sounds like a really interesting role. I enjoyed learning more about your background and am so impressed with all your various skills and interests (are you sure you’ve just lived one life?). All the best and I look forward to hearing more.
Caroline, yup, once I decided what I wanted to do with my time here, then I just went for it. Funny, while I was writing this post I was thinking about how each of these were totally different lives. I think once one adds the dimension of living in different countries to the different career tracks in different industries, it definitely feels like many lives. Monotonous my life has NOT been.
Thanks for the good wishes.
Oh Peta, what an interesting stroll through your life! It was a cliff-hanger โWhat will she end up doing?โ and the answer is just wonderful. Best wishes for your new role.
Haha that’s funny Anabel. Even those who know me well, probably would not have predicted that I would be working in Viet Nam and as a school psychologist. Glad you enjoyed the suspense….
And thanks for the good wishes.
Peta
Peta, you are an amazing woman! So many skills and so much talent packed into one beautiful package. Congrats on continuing to reinvent yourself … and doing it so well. I’m amazed at how similar our paths have been. For me it was Special Education Teacher, Educational Diagnostician,Training Specialist, Marketing Manager, Management Consultant, Business Owner, House Flipper. You never know what’s around the next corner. I would say you’re doing a great job of keeping up with Ben. ๐ ~Terri
Thank you Terri for all these kind compliments. You made me blush… ๐ How nice to read of your professional path and yes there are definitely some overlaps there. I would have loved to be a “house flipper”. Three times we have taken houses in a state of disrepair and lovingly built them into something unique and aesthetically pleasing. Two of those we sold, and one of those, the house in Sri Lanka is a rental.
Peta
Peta, you have clearly mastered the skill of developing a vision and cultivating it to reality. What an amazing superpower!!
I would wish you good luck but apparently you don’t need luck. You’ve got it ๐
Joanne, luck is always good to have and I do feel lucky. But in addition to that, I do feel that there is something out there, a kind of energy, that we can tap into, just like one can feel energy while you do Qi Gong. One can feel the energy between your hands. It is the same with ideas. We all get them, but we really have to consciously grab them and follow through with time and focus to make the idea real, otherwise they move on…..I recently read this again, in Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Magic and it reinforced these concepts. Ideas have a life of their own. It’s our choice to either focus on them, or to let them go.
Peta
Wonderful to hear about your diverse background, Peta, and your upbeat attitude on how to spend and enjoy your time in Hoi An. You are an inspiration.
Thanks Jet. Kind words.
Peta
Peta, it is so inspiring to see all that you have created. Isn’t it fun to have so many different lives within a lifetime? I’ve followed many different paths in my life, tooโalways following my heart and my passionsโpsychotherapist, herbalist, writer, editorโand so many more that have not been paid but that I love equally (artist, musician, traveler, photographer, gardener, yogini).
You are so skilled at manifesting your dreams. How fortunate those school children are to have you in their lives.
Thanks Laurel. It IS fun to have had so many different lives and personas in a life time. I think that no matter if one has a job for a year or two years or ten, the remaining memories of the experience are not much different. It’s great to look back at all the different realities.
So interesting to read that you are a psychotherapist and herbalist!, writer AND editor! and that we have so many passions in common: photography, art, traveling, writing, gardening and yoga!
Well, let’s hope that I am able to have positive impact on the lives of some children. Time will tell. Waiting for school to start up…
Peta
Cool, that you’ve had all those “lives”, and return now to an original one. Perhaps all those experiences you’ve had since your first Psychologist job have just served to put a real “Masters” polish on your Masters degree.
Yeah, it is very cool, to have had so many different experiences and realities. I totally agree that life experience is the best education of all. I was a terrible student in high school and learnt very little, and yet as we travel in the world, I learn so much about history, culture and geography being seeing it all with my own eyes and experiencing it.
Peta
Such a pleasure to be reminded of your open minded creative flexibility and willingness to apply yourself to a variety of professional commitments! You are truly an inspiration and I am blessed to have been your friend and witness your many talents โat workโ and how many lives you have lovingly touched, including mine. Love you, love Ben!
Love from Lois
All through the years and all these different lives, since we first met in Cincinnati, in our early twenties, you have been a constant. A constant source of support, encouragement and a light in my life always. More than anything you live life in such an authentic way on your own terms and have been a role model and inspiration for honesty and courage in doing things “outside the box” in a non conventional way.Oh the stories we could both tell, that would never make it to the blog!!!
Love you always
Pete
Hi there,
Poor John and I arrived in Hoi An this afternoon (Monday). We are here until Thursday. Hope we can catch up for a meal. My email is peggybright at hotmail dot com and on whatsapp at +61402995432
Staying on CamNam Island.
Welcome to Hoi An Peggy and Poor John. Would love to meet you guys and share a meal together. I will whatsapp you now.
Peta
There doesn’t sound to be anything missing in your life, Peta. Kudos to you ๐ ๐
Such a sweet comment Jo. I am very happy with my life, the only thing missing is the ability to see my kids more frequently.
Peta
Wow! Your life has been so interesting and well lived. Change is the only constant and you’ve done it with your heart. Gives me so much hope that there are so many routes to reinvent oneself. ๐
Humble thanks for the nice compliment as, to both us, an interesting life well lived is our primary goal.
There are as many routes to invent yourself as you can dream up. An unlimited set of opportunities awaiting to be tapped into. May sound trite, but that is our experience. Because we live global nomadic lives, we constantly run into people who made bold decisions to reinvent their lives and there is one constant which is that the key ingredient is the courage to take action and embrace change.
Ben & Peta
We are similar in that I crave change. I respect all those who can stay in the same job and home for decades but it’s never been me. I last about 5 years and then I have to change up some aspect of my life.
I too have a BA and a MA in Child and Adolescent Development. I went in the direction of teaching and managing.
Fabulous news on your new path, and since it came together so quickly, it must have been meant to be! Congratulations!
Oh interesting to know that we have similar educations.
For me, the years when my children were young and needed me at home, took me from my initial professional track into starting a new one that I could do at home. So sometimes a change is something that is necessary, not just change for the sake of change but rather to adapt to evolving requirements in my environment.
Thanks so much for the good wishes.
Peta
OMGosh, Peta, It was easy to โstay with you.โ A very engaging, informative and interesting article. This is because your life story (and you are still in the middle of your life story) is engaging and interesting.
I especially like the sentence that includes โ…vision…..intention….articulated…….manifesting….magic.โ
I donโt have to tell you how Ben is definitely a keeper, especially with his work ethic.
You and Ben remind me of the phrase, โluck happens when preparation meets opportunity.โ
Thank you for sharing your inspirational life:) Erica
Erica thank you for your oh so positive and enthusiastic feedback. Yup, it has not been boring, that’s for sure!
Not sure how it came through in the post re Ben’s work ethic, but you are correct, he is very focused, enterprising and “mission oriented”. We have been through a lot of life together, and country and home changes…Keeper he is, yes!
People often tells us we are lucky. We are. Remindful of an old Jewish story: “A man who had nothing and was praying to God asking God to help him win the lottery, and God responded ‘it would help if you bought a lottery ticket!”
Peta
LOVE the Jewish story! I will remember this:)
Ah yes, this is a good one. Passed down by many generations and still applicable.
Peta, how fabulous that you have landed back in your former profession, and in such an amazing international school! I am happy for you. I have always kept my profession (speech-language pathologist) as a possible career to return to in my back pocket as I have followed a zig-zag career path: speech-language pathologist, researcher, education professor, university administrator, retiree. Along the way, I have simultaneously been a writer, artist, mom, grandma, and community volunteer. Why choose? Why not do it all?
Jude
Jude, that’s the spirit!! Wow you certainly have done a lot professionally and collectively.How long did you work as a speech language pathologist?
Peta
Eight years. During the decade of the eighties. I resigned to stay home with my kids and to pursue a PhD.
Jude