Hmm

While the US swelters, we’re enjoying delightful spring temperatures every single day. I’m out on my patio in my pajamas, having a delicious cup of coffee and contemplating what I want to write about today.

It’s been hard to find the time and motivation recently, and I’m not sure why. Maybe because I’m back into the same routines I had in the US: Wake up, have coffee, get dressed, go to work, come home, eat dinner, and then veg out in front of the TV.

Don’t get me wrong–I LOVE my new life here. I feel freer, healthier, much less stressed; and I also feel fortunate and grateful, emotions I had not experienced in the US in a very long time. Maybe those emotions really are the key to happiness? Because I genuinely do feel happy here.

As I mentioned, I found two jobs: One working for a New Zealand health care company as an accounts manager, and one as an Airbnb manager. I really enjoy both of these jobs, but they pay is not sufficient, and I am barely scraping by. Yes, it is very cheap to live here, but my salary is only $700 a month, leaving only $200 after rent is paid. My bills are minimal: only $25 a month for my phone, and the cost of groceries and taxis.

And money really is the key. Money is freedom. With money, I can go out and enjoy the city on my time off. I can shop at the amazing artisan markets and the bountiful mercados, visit the parks, get to know the locals. Currently, the cost of a cab ride is not something I want to “throw away” needlessly, so I am saving that fare for trips to the supermarket, instead. I do a lot of walking around the neighborhood, but none of my activities in the past few weeks have been “post-worthy.” So for the time being, until things get a bit better for me financially, I think my posts are going to be more philosophical in nature. My apologies in advance.