I can get used to this

What's not to like when you can spend so much time with your kids?  After a wonderful first two weeks of retirement, I am really settling into a life after a long career.  The week began with a really fun birthday party for our 8 year old at Long Island Sports Complex where I played Ga-ga for the first time (it's like dodgeball but rolling the ball to hit other players below the knee). The next day was my wife's birthday so we had dim sum with her mom and aunt before a late dinner at one of our favorites, The Cheesecake Factory. The rest of the week, we enjoyed the driving range, Chuck E Cheese, a visit to the bank to cash in our coin jar ($180 collected in four years!), shopping and eating at the humongous Palisades Center, miniature golf, Jones Beach with three neighbor families, Chinatown for our third dim sum lunch of the week and to feed my daughter's new hobby - collecting squishies, riding the subways (my son was thrilled to stand in the front car to watch the train navigate the tracks) and dancing in our living room until bedtime.

To capture all the fun we are having, we started writing notes of the things we enjoyed and placing them in a memory jar.  We'll read those notes at the end of the year to help us recall all these special moments.

A really special moment this week was reconnecting with my two favorite teachers whom I haven't seen in 30 years (we recently found each other on facebook.)  We all had a marvelous time catching up on old school days and our lives since 1982.  My wife and kids enjoyed meeting them at lunch and look forward to seeing them again soon.

It's been two weeks and I really don't miss the career I enjoyed.  I do miss the fun I had with my colleagues though and a random email from one of them sparked a chuckle.  This summer is winding down fast and we have more fun ahead including next week's trip to Charlotte and Hilton Head.  School starts just around the corner for three of us... sigh.  But, for now, I can get used to this leisure time with my family really easily.

Can all weeks be THIS fun?

It's been a great first week of retired life!  Besides enjoying the exciting Summer Olympics, we treated ourselves to our first iPad thanks to generous gifts from wonderful friends and colleagues, a new smartphone after stumbling upon a great deal, a juicer after being inspired by a thought provoking documentary and a balance beam to feed my daughter's love of gymnastics.  It's been a lot of fun waiting on a daily delivery from UPS or Fed Ex!

Our kids have known that we've been planning our family's first iPad purchase for months.  They understand the thought and patience we take in buying such a pricey item.  It's rewarding to see that our kids really don't ask for much no matter which classmate has what.  Our fingers are crossed that the foundation we have set will continue to shape them into responsible consumers as they get older.

Just hours before buying a basic phone, I reviewed a daily Screaming Penny email of online deals.  Coincidentally, Amazon had a great deal that day for a nice smartphone.  I purchased a much better device (giving the kids another platform to play online games) at a lower net price than what I was going to buy.  Unfortunately, I can't transfer my number because of my former employer's billing privacy issues.

Utilizing a free trial to Amazon Prime, I watched "Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead", a film about the health benefits of a diet of fruit and vegetable juice.  I was inspired to give it a try.  Two days later, we made tasty concoctions with our new Hamilton Beach juicer.  I hope to supplement our diets with healthy juices particularly when I want a snack while doing my online studies.  Have you seen this documentary?  Do you juice?

After months of consideration, I ordered a balance beam for our daughter.  It was to our surprise and delight that it arrived less than 24 hours after placing the order.  We all love it!  Oh, and I also ordered a little laser light thing so we can dance to cool effects.  I hosted a playdate/dance party with neighbor friends while the moms went to dinner and the six kids had a blast.  Besides dancing, my kids and I swam and played ping pong as they continued to enjoy their summer.

Besides all the fun and games this week. I reorganized a closet, paid tuition for my upcoming graduate classes, applied to a local community college to complete required undergrad credits, serviced both cars, and laundered all my dress shirts to store for a few years.

This week will end with a baseball game at CitiField thanks to a thoughtful friend and a party with 18 kids celebrating our son's 8th birthday.  I know not all weeks will be this fun but I'm certainly glad my retired life is off to a great start.  I hope you're enjoying your summer!

Closing this chapter

Closing a long, memorable, fulfilling chapter of my life has not been easy mainly because I have really enjoyed my 19 year career.  I've had plentiful opportunities to learn, grow, contribute, lead and inspire.  But, it is the opportunities to work with many terrific people that I will remember and miss the most.  

The fun times I've had are countless.  I remember starting with 13 other trainees in a whirlwind tour of the company, making friends who became regular partners in traveling, tennis, rollerblading and dining, working in a once-in-a-lifetime team where we constantly shared laughter as we grew through life changes together, and leading energetic colleagues in annual dragonboat races.  I've had the fortune of meeting individuals who have provided thoughtful friendship, guidance, inspiration and support in my career.

The challenging times at work have proven to be the most memorable.  From long days and nights are results that I am most proud of.  These include starting a multicultural marketing campaign to growing an engaged employee resource group to leading the company's efforts in creating an inclusive culture to helping restore electric power after damaging storms.  

During my career, I've shared so many life changes with my colleagues. Together, we've been through marriages, births, tragedies, and crises.  And, it is through these times where I've been so glad to be part of this supportive community to share many wonderful joys, ease the occasional sorrow and work together to stand up to unexpected challenges.  

I am thankful for my experiences for they have provided me the opportunity, skills and confidence to pursue my passions.  So, as I walk away today, I look back with pride at all that I accomplished and the lives I've touched.  I will retain some great memories and lifelong friendships.  Leaving isn't easy but I know what I have to look forward to is worth it.

My daughter quoted me in a note she wrote the other day:  "Live live for your passions because you only live once."  I hope we each get the opportunity to do that.at.