Photo taken by Jurgis in Vilnius
Our 'temporary' stay in Brazil (it was meant to be a maximum of 2 years) is nearly at its end. We have, in our 11 years here followed a few different 'dreams'. I believe everything happens for a reason. I believe there is a path I must follow and it isn't always the path I choose, though that doesn't necessarily make it a bad path.
Jurgis' documents went to the translator yesterday. Not as easy as it sounds, as there are virtually no translators from Portuguese to Lithuanian. She promised speedy work, very unwillingly - it's extended family... say no more. This weekend, we spent hours scouring the internet for rentals in Lithuania. Last night, Tat, bless her, sent me a site where I could exchange English for Lithuanian lessons.
Roughly summed up, Jurgis is applying for his Lithuanian citizenship and through that, his EU passport. We're working on getting my application done with his. I mean, our 24 years of marriage has to count for something, right? Anyway, we've decided to go ahead and move to Lithuania. To get to Lithuania, I need to go via the UK anyway to get a visa and a visit to Tat is in order, naturally. Our goal is still to live in an English speaking country, the UK in this case, but for the interim, Lithuania is pretty, green and clean. I will carry on teaching and Jurgis will hopefully keep his current translation clients and agents. If not, we'll make a plan. We've uprooted with nothing before and heck, if we could make it in Brazil, we can make it anywhere. Shhh... no one is to mention the glaring fact that, in Brazil, at least one of us spoke the language ; )
Yes, we've plotted and schemed before and no, it didn't always go our way. I know those detours and roadblocks like the back of my hand by now. This time, things seem to be falling into place. We're making more progress now than ever before.
And yes, I'm playing the lottery this week =Þ
*big, big smile* Thank goodness I don't have instant coffee or oatmeal in front of me. ;) I am SO happy and excited for you, Tint. Detours and roadblocks and changing plans are just another part of life to make you appreciate and enjoy the next phase more, I'm sure. :)
ReplyDeletePerhaps you should patent that coffee/oatmeal mix. You never know. You may be onto the next healthfood-caffeine craze ; )
ReplyDeleteOoohhhhh...... how ESSCITING!!!!! It's so wondrously scary but I'm totally happy for you guys!
ReplyDeleteSounds like Lithuania should be an improvement over Sao Paulo (so big).
ReplyDeleteGosh, I'd help you move but I think I'm busy that weekend. Seems like it will be a complicated move. Your belongings, your dog, etc. I've only moved a few hundred miles, in the same US state, no big deal. It will be quite an adventure for you. Not too far from there to the UK though...
I am playing catch-up I know but WOW!
ReplyDeleteI'm soooo happy! I know about plans going their way and not yours, but I do believe in things happening for a reason -even if we can't understand or find the reason at the moment..
ReplyDeleteWish you the very best to come!
Vilnius is gorgeous, so different from hmm.. *fill in the blanks* ; )
Well...here I am back on the correct blog for the last comment...when my computer froze and had to be restarted, it opened up on another blog. Odd.
ReplyDeleteAnywho---this is exciting. I agree with what you said about paths. We put ourselves on one, thinking we're going somewhere and end up some place else!
Thanks Jaime! : )
ReplyDeleteBert, most places would be better. Sorry you can't help. I'll need some messenging. Can I use Velcro? The move is no less complicated than our move to Brazil. Actually less because we have a better idea of how to do it this time. I'm simply going via England because I need a visa to get into Lithuania and we have no Lithuanian consular offices here in Brazil, so I'll get a visa to England and go to Lithuania from there. Travelling back and forth is a hop though.
Marty, I included the links to old blogs because I have a few like you who are new to my shenanigans.
Dani, thanks :) Yes, Vilnius is very different... it has an old world air to it. The best is the clear skies and one doesn't need to walk far to find plenty of trees, parks and open spaces.
Kat, welcome to the 'correct' blog, though the other one you were on is an old favourite of mine : ) I think sometimes we put too much effort into controlling our paths. When I do that, I end up in a different place anyway, except with ulcers. This time, I'll do it without the ulcers ;)
I really appreciated that a great deal, Tint! It helps :-)
ReplyDeleteIt makes for a lot of extra reading, I know and I feel for anyone having to wade through it, but it does forestall the inevitable questions : )
ReplyDeleteI think so too. I used to be more adventurous. After a long time of uphill fighting...I just decided to let myself "coast". I thought of myself as a rock in a stream. I was letting everything else flow around me and I just watched, either with interest or without. Didn't matter to me.
ReplyDeleteI thought (and still think) that when the right thing comes along, I will know and then the rock will grow wings and fly! Or at the very least I'll be a stick and float somewhere else (like Pooh Sticks...do you know the Winnie the Pooh books?)
*Sighs happily and hugs* Things are finally looking up and letting us go with them! I'm so happy I have this happy ache inside. I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteSomeday I am going to win that lottery and get to visit everyone! I will track you down where ever you are but this sounds just so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI;m so happy for you. Fresh air, trees and GREEN. The clouds are parting.....yay!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, this will be quite a change! Now you will have clean air and clear skies! Your two years stretching to 11 sounds a little like us. We moved here, living in my brother-in-law's empty place, and planned on building our house then. We didn't start building until 7 years had gone by! You will not take for granted your new home!
ReplyDeleteWow. I wish I had the globe trotting adventures you do!!!
ReplyDeletePS that picture is ASTOUNDING, I love it.
ReplyDelete