World = T minus 10 months

Today is November 1 (date I originally wrote the post).  Today starts my countdown to the next phase of my life.  On August 31, 2014, my Chicago lease ends.  I have 10 months to decide:

 1. Renew lease and stay in Chicago for another year

Pros:       Make great money at work

Allow me to save more

Closer to my kids

Money allows for short US trips

                   Cons:    putting off living by myself for another year

                                Won’t be in a new city for another year

                                Delay in further cutting mothering strings                                   

2. Find a place of my own in Chicago for another year

                 Pros:          First time live by myself

                  Same as above

Cons:         potential cost

                  Delay same as above

3. Move to Portland, Oregon

Pros:          first time live by myself

                  New city

                  Moving forward with life goals

Cons:         cost of moving

                  Probably won’t make as much money at new job

                  Finding place to live

4. Take TEFL course while still in Chicago and move overseas to teach English

Pros:          moving forward with life goals of overseas travel

                  Would give me marketable skill for working while overseas

                  Can do online while I work in Chicago

Cons:         personal doubt: what if I spend the money and can’t get a job overseas?

                  Cost of online class

Goals

Knowing my ultimate goal is to travel overseas, I finally started the process of ability: Yesterday, I ordered my birth certificate (which I lost in my Chicago move) so I can order my passport.

 

November’s Goal: Order passport