It’s been almost a month and a half since I left my last employer. It’s been almost eight months and a half since I’ve been taking a pause. It’s been more than 50 years since I was born.

Time for a change.

It’s incredible what a really long vacation does to someone who’s been working since starting in the nursery. How’s that? Well, see: waking up early, going somewhere, doing things you would probably not do otherwise, meeting people you might not always like, being fed on time, put to bed after lunch, and picked up by the parents in the evening… That was my first full time job!

Then the school. Then the study. Then the Ph.D. And five employers in 25 years. Ever ready, in battle trim, on-call, performing… They lie when they say that a vacation should last at least three weeks. I tell you: this is when it only starts. This time we spent five weeks in Corsica. Sunny skies, blue waves, Mediterranean flair, French cooking, nice people. Best place in Europe if you ask me. Some sightseeing on the way there and back, of course: the Alps, Mantua, Lake Garda (more on that next time). Not a bad start, huh?

And no deadlines. That’s the point.

(to be continued)