Trying Something New in Retirement: Zumba!

Move your body! 

As I navigate retirement, I try to find ways to maintain my health and find ways to keep my workout regiment interesting, worthwhile, and effective in keeping yourself in good health. 

This past Sunday, I signed up for an exercise class at the local 24 hour fitness gym. I signed up for Zumba. 24 Hour Fitness describes as 

"Zumba® fuses hypnotic Latin rhythms with easy-to-follow moves to create a dynamic fitness program. The goal is simple: to want to work out, to love working out and to get hooked. Zumba® fanatics achieve long-term benefits in one exhilarating hour of calorie-burning, body-energizing, awe-inspiring movements." 

Getting ready for class workout

I couldn't agree more. As a first timer, I was met with a warm welcome applause as the instructor asked if anyone's first time. It was early Sunday morning, I didn't realize quite of few attendees were up and enthusiastic at a 9:00 am start time. The attendees appear to be mostly women, older, and were clearly regulars. I counted maybe less than 5 men? It was a full class, close to 45 people. I love classes that helps me move my body and this class was well run, with easy moves, it took me awhile to get my "rhythm", but overall it was good. I'd like to try this on a regular basis. As we all age, it's important to keep moving. 

Health is wealth! 

After the class, I felt relieved, it was a good one hour session. A good sweat after this vigorous work out. It's good to know I can always try something new, this one seems to be a winner. The question is will I be able to keep up? Stay tuned!

5 Memorable Adventures in Year 60!

 

MILESTONE

RETIRE

2025 has certainly been an adventurous one. I knew that this was the year I planned on retiring from my job of almost 6 years -  regardless of the circumstances of our economy or political upheaval, (what's new? ) But as 2025 arrived, I wanted to make sure this was the year filled with adventure! 

Office gang, School of Pharmacy, PharmD Program 

I chose to leave on July 1st, and that it would be a great time to take off and travel. My job was fulfilling for the most part. I made some impact as an college admissions coordinator. I helped see many perspective pharmacy students navigate their career path to enter in a world class PharmD program as future pharmacists. This I will never forget. 

Graduation Ceremony 

TRAVEL 

Travel is my current relationship. My fellow solo traveler, a sense of discovery is my guidance to living on my own and making the best of it. Upon retiring, I stepped on to a plane to fly across the atlantic for my first visit to London! 

London has always been on my list of travel destinations. I've seen London in movie backdrops like Notting Hill, Love Actually and Bourne movie series, just to name a few. When I arrived I wanted to make sure I attended the world famous Wimbledon tennis tournament, every other adventures was gravy. As my first trip across the pond is the tip of the iceberg. I enjoyed trying fish and chips, a pint of beer, and discovering different neighborhoods of London. I definitely come back. The experience was magical and a clean break into retirement living. 

Next up was heading back home to Hawaii to see family and friends. I made it a quiet return home without really announcing my retirement, but I did as well to celebrate my mother's birthday. She's looking good at her age. In addition, I got a chance to play some tennis with friends to help loosen up swings. It's been awhile since I picked up a racket, rusty but I'm glad I was able to hit a few balls. In addition to spending time with family, I took care of me on my own solo travel to a neighboring island of Hawaii. I flew over to Kona, Hawaii. So relaxing, you tend to surround yourself with everyone else to celebrate life but forget to do self care, which I did it was worth it. It's been a practice I've applied over the years when heading back home with family, you need time for yourself before heading back to San Francisco. This side trip was just the ticket. 

Celebrate my Mom's birthday along with sisters

As I settled in to this new thing called retirement, I had this slight urgency to take off again. This time, I chose a couple of iconic Mexican beach resorts, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. These two are my favorites. I went during a "shoulder" season or soft, less touristy time to go. It definitely paid off. The beaches, the weather, a quiet time to just breathe, be with nature, and definitely, the people, food, culture was the highlight of going back to Mexico time after time. 

Corazon Cabo Resort 

Earlier this year, I traveled to New York City to celebrate my birthday, as well as later in the fall. When I became single again, I decided to take off to somewhere I've always wanted to go back to. When I was with a partner who was from the east coast, the desire was moot, I was thirsty to learn more about that part of my country, the east! So since 2019, I've been going back year after year to explore the city, taste the food, see the sights, and really take in the history of this part of the United States. 

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION  

Even before I retired, I've been active in volunteerism and social causes that are dear to me to this day. I don't think I'll stop helping where I can in many causes. One in particular is AIDS Walk. I do it to raise money for health care services with people living with HIV AIDS. Over the years, I think I've helped raise over $25,0000 for this this cause. It's a reminder of some of the friends I've lost to AIDS. I'm the few that's left. A whole generation seemed to have been wiped out from this disease that doesn't have a cure, but we continue. Hopefully in my lifetime, I'll see a cure. 

San Francisco Pride and Celebration has been an event I've had an opportunity to participate in the last couple of years through my work, employer. Marching prouding this second year in the row has been such a joy and highlight to the start of summer. It allows me to help celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community of our city and to come to gather with others who celebrate pride. So proud!   

San Francisco City Hall, Pride Festival 

MEMORABLE EVENTS 

Going to San Francisco Giants baseball game is always a draw for me. This past year, I've attended close to half a dozen games. More interestingly this year, I've had friends visit from out of town to enjoy watching this American past time. The setting, field view, players, and overall energy in watching this sport is so uplifting.  

Oracle Park, San Francisco, CA 

The annual tennis tournament, Laver Cup arrived this year in San Francisco. The website states, "The Laver Cup pits six of the best men's tennis player from Europe against six of their counterparts from the rest of the world over three days of intense team competition." Although I did not get a chance to see a match, I was able to at least see one of their practice sessions. I've always been a sports spectator as well as a life long tennis player myself. It was great to see the players in person.  

Finally, although I haven't been running as much these days, I've had the chance to run a 5k Diplo Run at Golden Gate Park. It was telling, I knew I needed to have had more training to at least run a 3 mile run. I finished, but could have been better. This run is part energetic running, post partying after a run, filled with club music to continue after the run ends. I hope 2026 will be better for to compete in a longer run. 

SIDE HUSTLE 

When I retired, I didn't want to just stop working completely, I wanted to test other things that could keep me busy while discovery new things to do. This allow me to choose my hours then the usual day to day grind of 9-5. Once particular work was to be part of the Dreamforce Conference held in San Francisco. It's part of the company, Salesforce's effort to bring end users to the City and learn about the many products that the company offers. My role in this 3 day+ conference was to be a greeter, who would be directing attendees to various conference locations, it was very customer service oriented which I enjoyed doing. Lots of standing but it was worthwhile in be part of this amazing yearly conference. 

One other event, I was tapped to help ring in the holiday season is the San Francisco Winter Walk event. It's a 12-day celebration that transforms two blocks of Stockton Street into a festive holiday destination. I was one of half a dozen workers, helping to keep the event running smoothly with various events that occurred those days. I helped take photos for people wanting to pictured with Santa Claus, or Snow Queen performers. We keep the area tidy during event and answered  any questions attendees might have about the event. I hope I get to be asked back to this amazing event. 

Let's see what 2026 brings! Happy New Year! 

Alcatraz Island, San Francisco, CA 

The Unfiltered Truth: 5 Months Into Retirement, Here's How I Really Feel

A new haircut

Tomorrow will be Thanksgiving. I'm assessing how I feel since leaving the building 5 months ago. When I walked out the door on July 1st. I was filled with joy and at the same time sadness. Joy in the fact that I feel more liberated from my day to day tasks of "work". As for the sadness, it's surreal. I've enjoyed the years of working and to finally "stop" with what I've been doing. And another feeling is also strange. Sadness. Surreal. Strange. (Three "S" notations.) Yes and no, I will not miss my colleagues or the work, but at the same time, I've elected to break free from the daily rigors of work to celebrate MY TIME at this stage in my life. I've been working since I was a preteen. This I can verify through SSA.Gov which tracks my first paycheck and tax deduction since I first started working. 

First time at Wimbledon!

It was wonderful to clean my desk, take in my surroundings, and really take in the moment that I will not be returning on Monday morning. Full stop. In addition, I planned for this moment for the most part. Plans were made to take trips promptly after leaving my job. On my bucket list of travel was London to be an attendee at the All England Tennis Tournament (Wimbledon). I've been a tennis player since I was a junior and watched this event on TV ever since. To finally witness this live was the icing on the cake. I have no regrets on this choice. In addition, I spent a longer than normal time back home in Hawaii with family and friends. I was quite subtle in not letting them know I retired. Why? I don't know, I just wanted to not be seen any different. Some people tend to look at retirees who retire younger than normal as strange. Or they may think I'm this totally loaded individual. Fewer people tend to think positively and feel happy for the person who recently retired as they know they have to dread heading back to work on Monday morning. 

But what I've learned in the 5 months is that not working a full-time job is okay. It's a new adventure for many. The planning was spot on but when the execution happens, all bets are off as it's sometimes a roll of the dice. Some of the things I've realized is that I felt the need to still work. For this remedy, I ended up working at a few side hustles on my terms and on my time constraints. This helped supplement my income in the interim when pension finally kicks in. Another revelation concerns my structured living. I'd wake up without an alarm clock going off, at times I didn't know what day it was. My routine was all off. There were days I was unshaven or having breakfast at noon and just watched TV longer than usual. The only thing I did not end up doing was wearing a robe all day sitting on a sofa eating bon bons. The typical stereotype people come to think once you retire. 

Breathe, McCormick and Schmick 

Overall, I think I've learned to settle in at my pace. Everyone has their own timeline to transition into this new life or lifestyle. Most people say to give yourself a year to settle in but what does that mean for me or others? I think it varies. As I celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow with friends who live nearby and are all still working, I'm taking in the moment just for me. Just thankful. No rush, no major decisions, but just settle. That's the status I think one can reach as you move into a new stage in your life. 

I say, stay relevant, active, and celebrate your new world called retired.  

Retirement's Big Question: Do I Stay or Should I Go?

*I'm revisiting a challenging predicament, hear me out on this. 

This has been such a common and important question many soon to be retiree(s) need to make a decision. Do I stay or should I go? Sounds like a song lyric, but the truth is, yes where do I decide to live after retiring? 

The Thinker, Artist: Auguste Rodin

Here's my predicament, I live and work in the city where my job is. It makes sense to be centrally located to where my job is - right? But, when you decide to leave, should you relocate? I live in an apartment in the city that has rent control. Many say once I leave, I can't come back as the cost of living for housing will never be the same. On the other hand, I also have real estate property outside of the city that will be paid off soon. I could live there and forego any additional rent paying in the city. But I don't want to live in a remote setting. For me, I'm a city slicker, I love the city vibe, the convenience of walking out my door and getting a cup of coffee and sit and take in the city setting. Whereas living in a remote location, I have to get in a car and drive somewhere to get coffee. Financially it makes sense: you're saving money on rent in the city and soon enough no mortgage to pay in a couple of years with the real estate outside of the city. 

In reality, I could keep both and enjoy living in the city to bide my time until my real estate property is fully paid for and I still have a place in the city. All I have to do is just pay for property tax, utilities, and maintenance, which will still be manageable. I think I answered my own question(s), it will be tough for a couple of years, but there's an expense for traveling I must contend with. 

Soon after retiring, I'm told no big decisions should be made for the first month. For example, moving, making a large purchase, etc. Also, from what I've read, it takes about 4 months after retiring that you feel that you've really retired. That's when reality really sets in. I need to set aside funds for some travel once retiring, which should really hurt me, but a budget is needed. 

As much as I prepare in advance in my inevitable retirement date of July 1st, there's always something nagging that I have yet to do or need to do. I constantly look at my checklist on items in my financial, social, and mental columns to be sure I didn't miss a thing. 

But I can only hope that I've covered as much as I can prior to retiring. Like the movie directed by Mel Brooks, The Twelve Chairs, set in the 1920s Soviet Russia, a fallen aristocrat, a priest, and a con artist search for a treasure of jewels hidden inside one of twelve dining chairs, lost during the revolution. A song in the movie titled, "Hope for the Best, Expect the Worst". I'd rather think of the positive aspect of retiring. 

The journey continues! 

Transition from Retirement to Travel Living Mode!

It's amazing how this journey has made me think about my choices in transitioning from work to retirement. It's really a moment to celebrating more in life at this stage in my life. 

I've created a new blog website to encompass this new adventure. Join me as I continue to celebrate a part of my retirement to more traveling and on my own terms. 

Visit my new blog website, appropriately called, Edgar Would Go! https://edgarwouldgo.com/

Tower Bridge, London