About our family
We are a small but a happy family of six – mom and dad, grandpa and grandma, and two babies.
About Permanent Sabbatical
WELCOME!
Dear friends and family, we are so excited to embark on our awesome journey around the world. We’ve dreamed and spoke about it for so long and now, finally, we are going! The purpose of this blog is to document our journey and to share our experiences with everyone.
First, some details. We (Dad, mom, baby #1 and baby #2, and grandpa and grandma) are taking a year and a half-long sabbatical during which we plan on visiting many countries in Europe, enjoying its diverse culture, architecture, fine food, and each other’s company. Mom & dad spent many years acquiring and solidifying their reputations as workhaholics while the kids were raised primarily by the grandma and grandpa. After arrival of baby #2, we realized that it’s now or never. Better now since grandparents are still young and mobile. And baby #1 has not completed his transformation into a teenager and still wants to spend time with us (sort of).
Second, but why?! We have four goals:
1) Spend quality time as a family
2) Relax and recharge the batteries
3) Focus on our family’s health
4) Explore the world and live out our dreams
Third, isn’t it a little risky? Yes, yes it is. We live in Hawaiian paradise, love our business and trade, everything is going so well, why risk it all by uprooting the family and becoming modern gypsies? Why not just take a short vacation? Well, we like vacations and we adore Hawaii, it really feels like home, more than any other place in the world. Unfortunately, it happen to be the most remote land in the world, making travel inconvenient and expensive. And we love traveling.
Also, everything is risky. Working non-stop and not waking up someday is also risky. Missing our children’s laughter and growth is risky. Or not enjoying our parents more. So, there is that.
Besides, we are doing quite a bit of research and preparations to lessen the risks. Some of it will be in this blog, and hopefully, will be useful for other people.
So, the plan is for all of us to pack our bags, fly to the Mainland, and go on to Paris. The tickets are bought.
Baby #1 is 12 years old. He is happy-go-lucky and worldly young man. We tried to raise him as the most interesting boy in the world. He had already traveled to Europe and Asia, is called “an Oracle” for his folksy wisdom, and invented a Cuss-Tracker app for iPhone. He loves all animals and Legos.
Dad is a moving force: he flies, drives, rides a horse, sails, cycles, swims. He is a real martial arts master, experienced world traveler, and a super nice guy. He speaks Japanese, runs several successful businesses, plays chess, and loves spending time with his family and friends. He also wrote a book called “BULLY-PROOF: How to stop bullying and gain black-belt confidence.”
Mom is a busy attorney, practicing civil litigation for a number of years. She came from the sticks, but her natural curiosity and adaptability have taken her far from home. She loves cats, chocolate, and trashy magazines.
Baby #2 is seven months old. Despite his tender age, he is big and strong, and has a powerful personality. In a family full of type-A persons, he rules all.
Grandma is what we call a “permissive” grandma. She always sides with the babies, on any issue. As a result, they are a bit spoiled. She loves going on cruises and wearing shiny jewelry.
Grandpa is a character worthy of ten novels. Former tank driver and boxer, he has a tough exterior but is very playful and gentle with his grandbabies. He is an avid fisherman. Wild animals and crazy people naturally gravitate towards him.