Friday, July 18, 2008

UNEMPLOYED

Hmmmm? I am here at work, sitting at my desk, pecking away at this computer for the last time! Today is finally, and really, my last day of work. Monday morning I will wake up and be unemployed. I will still be working, but this time for myself and for our dreams. Since I last posted, I have accomplished some of the bigger ticket items, such as purchasing travel insurance, getting an international phone and acquiring our visas to India! The remaining duties include clearing out the apartment, packing and taking care of some last minute items. That is the thing with this type of endeavor, most of the important matters can't really be done until the end. It serves to make for some stressful times. It is a good stress though. One that precedes a life altering change.

Idalis is still toiling away in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she wraps up her first week of working for the National board of Professional Teaching Standards! She is such a genius, you have no idea! I am extremely lucky and honored to have found someone so wonderful! She is also the perfect travel companion. The only person I know who can actually endure more inconvenience and hardship than myself, oh and with a smile on her face the whole time.

I actually typed this in a comment on the previous post. I liked it so much, I decided to use it again. It kind of explains our current state of mind. "It is absolutely amazing how little one needs to find happiness. Clutter cuts clarity. Remove the distractions. Remove what does not work. Find peace. Find happiness!" I don't think either Idalis or myself had any idea how many people would be affected by our little decision to travel. It has been incredibly inspiring! One of those little things in life that you don't really expect but that end up presenting an incredible amount of value and life lesson!

As of today, we have twenty-six days until our departure. I can guarantee you that these next twenty-six days will be filled with blood, sweat, tears and incredible emotion! I really wish that we could jam every last one of you into our luggage so you could come along. Since I don't imagine Homeland Security would approve, this blog may be the next best thing. Please promise to check in on us every once in a while and please promise to send us messages. Afterall, you are our only connection back to 'home'!
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7 comments:

Anonymous said...

As we approach your departure date, I am reminded of the many, many reasons I love and admire my big brother. Kevin, you have always been someone I have looked up to. As a little girl, I wanted to be just like you. As a teen, I was annoyed with you because I wasn't more like you. As an adult, I am in awe of the amazing man you have become. We have had an amazing blessing in our lives by being able to reconnect in a way some siblings never may. Every time I look back at the time you stayed with me, I am thankful that I had that opportunity to get to know you in a more mature way. (If mature means dolphin calls in the swimming pool and the prop game, among other things.) I still think of that as one of those most amazing times in my life. The one thing that made it even more amazing was getting the opportunity to connect with Idalis in that way. (Idalis, I will always leave a window open for you. Always!) Thank you, both of you, for touching my life. For teaching me, for supporting, for loving me. And thank you for loving my son the way you do. It warms my heart to see how tender and sweet and fun and just great you are with him. Thank you. Again, as I have said before, you will be sorely missed. But, again, I pray nothing but fun, excitement, adventure, safety and an outpouring of love everywhere you wander.

July 18, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Katie said...

26 Days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Well, that about sums up my feelings about this! :( Don't worry, this will be one of our only connections to the two of you so I'm sure everyone will continue to diligently check in to see what the newest adventure was!! As much as i will miss hearing from you in person, I look forward to reading about it all (and of course being a part of it in December!) I love you!!!

July 18, 2008 at 2:24 PM
Anonymous said...

Wow! what can I say about a weekend filled with Emotions such as the following: Love, Harmony, Sadness, Music, Singing, Laughter, Jokes, Crying, Fear, Touch, Gifts, Eating, Dancing, Converstion, Stories, with so much packed onto one weekend it makes one wonder how you make it through such a special time in the lives of so many family and friends.

I was so blessed to meet Idalis' family (she's the girl if you haven't guessed by now, that has stolen the heart of my son Kevin)who is as I might say Number 1 son. I cannot put into words how proud and how blessed I am knowing the kind of relationship that the two of these children have, and I pray for continued growth for the two of them as they travel the world experiencing other cultures, adding to thier life experiences, and sharing these experiences with us through this blog.

July 19, 2008 at 9:37 AM
Anonymous said...

Kevin...
it's funny: there's a song by pearl jam called "unemployable". the bottom line about the song is a demonstration as to how hard things in this world have gotten lately (the economy, for one). but the song also gives a little hint to suggest that many of the things in life are indeed a sacrifice. and in sacrificing some things, like employment, we are able to keep dreams alive. and i think that's much of what the two of you have accomplished. so hat's off to you, the latest addition to the unemployment line. now you can dream...and keep that dream alive and live it! p.s. there's another good song on that self-entitled album called "gone". check it out someday.
ReAnn...
i think anyone with half a brain should eminate someone like your brother. there aren't enough "kevins" in this world, for sure. jeremy will continue to grow, a great head on his shoulders, and a personality that will reflect his great upbringing and a loving family. as it should be! peace, love, and happiness will be plentiful wherever you and jeremy are.
interestingly enough, rami showed up to jersey for four days. sadly, he left early this morning. now, rami assured us that he wouldn't be coming to new jersey to visit us this year. and just by coincidence he was able to make it. ALWAYS a pleasure having you around! we spent a couple days doing what us Alvarez brothers do best: eat, a "few" beers, horseshoes, and dominoes. i hope you had a good time, rami. thanks for lending an ear these passed couple of rough days. i'm glad you understand my disappointments. you show how much you care about me and the rest of our family. i love you to death, bro.
tomorrow i return to work after being off for 21 days. funny, i felt "unemployed" for a while there too, kev. i would've spent that whole time in Miami, if i could. but i'll be back someday. that place hasn't seen the last of me!
truly, i hope everyone is doing well. keep smiling. paz, amor, y felicidad a todos. ciao!

July 21, 2008 at 3:48 PM
Anonymous said...

unemployed... its not as bad at it sounds. I got to visit jersey and spent time with the alvarez boys because of unemployment. I had a great time as usual and it wasn't planned. It kinda sucks that theres no income coming in to offset the expenses, nevertheless I was so happy to be there and the way you guys have planned it, I have no doubt that you will enjoy your unemployed time to the fullest. Soon I will be back to work, but will follow you on your journey and appreciate what you two are going to accomplish with your unemployment. Until next time.

July 25, 2008 at 5:12 PM
Anonymous said...

Hi Kevin and Idalis, It's Mercy the nurse that gave you your first shots at the Health Department. I've been thinking about you guys, because I remembered you were leaving in August. So sorry I missed you at the clinic, I took the summer off to be with my kids. I'm really enjoying your blog. Kevin, when you come back from your journey you really must become a professional writer. I really loved meeting you guys, you have such a beautiful spirit. Needless to say, I hope you have a wonderful and beautiful journey. God bless you and keep you safe. I'll keep track of you from your Aunt Claudia. Love you, Mercy

July 26, 2008 at 10:50 PM
vagalong.blogspot.com said...

Rami,
We heard about your trip up north. That is awesome! I wish we could have joined you. It could have been another impromptu camp out on somebody's floor! By the way, you will be receiving an invitation from us soon to join us at one last party on Sunday, August 10th, mostly for family, of which you are. Please be sure to wear the carpenter shirt!!! We will be in touch with you soon to give you the time and location. It will be in Cooper City, which should be s shorter drive for you this time. We miss you and can't wait to see you!

Mercy,
What an awesome surprise! When we opened the blog and saw that you had written we both gasped with surprise! We really miss you! You are the best ever! The last nurse actually made us sit around for thirty minutes to make sure there were no lasting effects. You are so good you just let us go knowing there won't be any! I am so glad to hear that you took the summer off to be with your family. That is great! I hope they are all doing well and gearing up for the next year. We know you have your hands full with so many little geniuses!!!! We have our last shots on August 4th. Although I hope your vacation is long and slow, it would be nice to see you one more time before leaving. Especially since we don't have to sit around after our shots!!!! We hope you are well and want to thank you so much for being so wonderful! You are a shot-dispersing angel! Please stay in touch and check in with us every once in a while, expecially now that you are a professional blogger!

July 27, 2008 at 8:47 PM

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