Though my heart was prepared to stay, my wallet finally got my attention and I have ended my adventure in New York. I want to end my blog with two stories. The first is about my final day in the Big Apple. I woke early for Central Park to wait in line for tickets to Shakespeare in the Park's presentation of The Merchant of Venice. I waited in line until the ticket office opened at 1:00 p.m. Because the forecast was for rain, not too many people were ahead of me and I knew that I would get tickets.

After getting my ticket, I walked around Amsterdam and Broadway and ended up at the Barnes and Noble at Lincoln Center. If you want to see famous performers, this is the place as many work in the area. By the way, if you see someone famous in New York, do not make a big deal of it, unless you want to be branded a tourist and possibly a rude tourist. New Yorkers tend to give the famous a wide berth, out of respect I think but also because, it is not such a big deal to see them.

I visited some of the places that held my best memories and a few new place. In the park I spent quite a bit of time in Shakespeare's Garden which is near the Delacorte Theater and quite beautiful. Finally, the time came for the play, which featured Al Pacino, as Shylock. My seats were incredible with Mr. Pacino only feet away. He could have been speaking Greek and I would have understood every word he said. What a masterful actor! What a city.

The other event took place several days after I made the decision to leave New York. I was working at Lane Bryant. I had a customer who was reluctant to try on any clothes which she deigned different from what she usually wore. Finally I got her to try on a top which looked fabulous on her. She agreed but commented, "Where would I wear this?" I responded that she should wear it to go out on Saturday. She indicated that the only went to the laundry on Saturdays. I started considering this and began to get angry. Why should this lady get to live in New York, where she doesn't do anything on Saturday but her laundry, but I have to leave. I asked her, "When was the last time you went to the MET?" I began to actually go off on her about all the things there were to do in this city for free. Finally, I noticed that this lady was moving back from me. She was looking at me as though I were holding a gun and I realized that I was way over the top. Anyway, I backed off and apologized but the incident has stayed with me.

This is what I think. I have been given a gift and it is called opportunity. I have learned that life is to be lived. I have learned that everything that comes your way is a new adventure and you should embrace it with arms wide open.

Right now I am back in my hometown for the first time in nineteen years and it feels great, so for now my adventure is here. But on my Bookmark page are at least seven web sites for companies which sponsor people who wish to teach overseas. No matter where I land, for the rest of my years, life is a great "Perhaps."