The Final Take

I cannot end my 30-day road trip without some final words.

Normally when you go on a voyage ... by the time you return, you are no longer the person you were when you left.

And I did change. My eyes were opened to many new things, places, practices, facts and beliefs. This was not a budget trip. I saw the kind of life possible, when you become successful. The endless beauty, comforts and luxuries available to those who've made their fortune. 

I did not pay for this trip. My parents did. They have always shown me that we can live well when we apply ourselves, our talents, to our job or chosen profession. I saw the fruit of their many decades of hard work. It's the kind of attitude I want to impart to my own son. 

When I became a mother, I didn't want my son to view me "as that mom who can sing The Wheels On The Bus 5,000x a day". I wanted him to experience personal fulfillment from a job well done, beyond the already challenging job of parenting. Which is why I took a risk and started my own business despite the challenges, stress and pitfalls it entails.

Chancing upon these at the Salon Bonaparte.

The bee symbolizes Bonaparte.

A wedding set-up at the Salon Bonaparte.

I have my parents to thank. What made this trip truly fun was that I was with family. Without their presence, this adventure would not have been as enjoyable.

May 30 is my interview with my son's school. It was the best school I could find ... which teaches English on top of French, catechism, has a healthy menu for children and is located on hectares of green space. I told myself that when my firstborn enters school at age 3, it's time to think about having a second child. I've finally ruled against it.

I gave my all to my firstborn and already know my physical and mental limits. At age 36, am not sure if I can give the same 2000% energy to a next one. Not the same quality of life, not the same two years of breastfeeding, not the same fervor of staying up all-night for one year, not with the same determination or stamina. My family's budget will be drastically sliced and I may have to give up travel altogether. So I decided ... just one and done as I've read this Time Magazine feature on choosing to have just one child.

My second child is my small enterprise. I'm now back home and have thrown myself full force back to work.

I'm ending this travel series of Castles, Michelin-Stars and Spas on a film which won the People's Choice Award at the Manhattan International Film Festival. It's about a father's determination to give his daughter the best birthday dinner in this simple but touching Fine Dining theme.



I am humbled.