With Trump’s America looming on the horizon, an Italian friend commented that it’s about time for me to leave the States. An expat friend in Bangkok said he expects to see me back there sooner rather than later, based on Trump’s presidency! (He’s always told me that I’ll end up living in Bangkok, anyway.)
It’s no secret to most of my friends that I’ve wanted to leave the country and move to Bali, of course! I was only considering making a move, but not seriously trying to take any steps. However, what with Noy’s passing, Trump’s upcoming Presidency and many changes in the management of the company that I work for, it’s beginning to look more and more appealing.
The first and most obvious step to move to either Bali or Bangkok would be to learn Bahasa or Thai. Unfortunately, there’s nowhere in San Francisco to take classes in either of those languages. I’ve tried learning a little bit on-line, but my attention span is short when I have no one to really practice with after completing a lesson.
My next thought was to learn some “alternative” skills that could be used abroad, possibly without having extensive knowledge of another language. After a few barnstorming sessions with me, myself and I, bartending classes popped into my head. I spend a fair amount of time at bars, hate the majority of cocktails made anywhere/everywhere in San Francisco (but usually like them in other cities/countries) and bartending looks like it could be fun. So… I finally signed up for a bartending course. This particular course will take up four Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., beginning in February. We’ll practice in an actual bar and everything will be provided. Students are merely told to show up with a notebook and pen. Maybe, if my bartending shows any promise at all, I can “guest bartend” for an hour or two at some of the bars I frequent! Then again, maybe some of my bartender friends can give me a few tips. Of course, having a second income is always a bonus, even if it involves working a few hours per week, being a bar back or only working at special events.
Becoming a wine sommelier also appeals to me. I looked into taking courses on that, but they are much more intensive (which doesn’t bother me) and are held on weekdays only. I can’t afford to pay the high price for the wine sommelier courses AND not work at my regular day job, so that’s out for now… However, if major changes continue to happen within my company and they were lay me off and give me a package, I’d sign up for those wine sommelier courses immediately!
Naturally, teaching English as a second language is an option for those wanting to move abroad. I can take classes for that on weekends in order to get my certification. My friend who teaches English abroad is urging me to do that, of course. Some of those places said that they can basically guarantee placement, too. I’m a tad skeptical of that, but will do more research later.
I figure those 3 “skills” will better prepare me to put out my feelers abroad. Even if completing a wine sommelier course anytime soon isn’t possible, taking a few more generalized wine courses would be beneficial. I just have to move forward, though. Hopefully, this bartending course will give me some new energy and ideas. Wish me luck! If I successfully make it through the bartending course, I’ll need to start practicing my fancy moves, a la Tom Cruise in “Cocktail!”