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 

First Full Day of Retirement: Surreal

I recently returned from a close to two weeks vacation in London and returned home yesterday. I had a hard time adjusting to the time, but made it happen. I turned in early to be in my local time zone. It went pretty well, got up about 2 hours before my alarm went off. 

Big Ben and Houses of Parliament 

As "usual", I started putting the remaining things back like my toiletries, clothing, and sort for laundry. Done. I just started a load of laundry and hurried back upstairs to do some other things to tend to. But, the funny thing I noticed as that I was cramming everything in to get things done like I had somewhere else to go. But no, I have taken 8+ hours back to do whatever I wanted to do. I constantly paused catching myself realizing, "What's the rush?" I just realized I needed to pace myself now that I have more hours in the day to do things. 

Taking a break at the Tower Bridge, London 

This morning, I planned on going to the gym, having breakfast before 9am, checking my emails, etc. But it dawn on me that I don't need to rush. I do know I need to have structure as I take on this new phase of my life in retirement. Whether I will not work at all or work part time/ full time remains to be seen. I just need to settle in and take in this moment. It's a great feeling, Indeed it's surreal experience. 

Let me see how this week goes and I'll fully realize I'm on retirement, which is a good thing!

Independent Retirement: Is it Easy to Retire and Live on my Own?

I'm literally 5 months away before I pull the trigger. I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel on this retirement journey. Looked at my finances as usual, looks like I'm in rather good shape; budgeted for a couple of trips I'll be taking before my retirement and after. 

Next week will be my 60th birthday and that number, 60 is quite large and intimidating. I never thought I'd see myself being 60, I always thought it was someone else, but wow, I'm going to be there soon. What I also looked into was my health. I've lined up a couple of yearly medical routine check in with my primary doctor and also schedule an eye check up. 

All usually around my birthday. Cross fingers I won't encounter any significant changes in my health. I do admit I've gained quite a few over the years. Not sure if was due to getting older or I'm less active these days. I've been doing free weights, some running, and strength training but not at the level I was when I was in my late 30s and 40s. Don't want to admit I'm slowing down, but I think I have to be self motivated post Covid era. Many friends and colleagues are on their own schedule and I find myself training on my own and having to call people out for get togethers. Seems like everybody I know are becoming home bodies.  

This seems to be a precursor in my impending retirement. The fact that I'm living on my own and quite comfortable doing it isn't going to be a tough thing to do. It's not a transition there. But the activities I'll need to create on my own will be key to my success in living in retirement on my own. I won't know how I'll feel or encounter after being in this stage for the first few months. I see it as a honeymoon period. I'll take off for a week for London as one of my bucket list trip. I've never been to London. So I'm going to take it easy but hit the spots that interests me. I won't go all out and try to cover all the attractions. As always moderation. When I get back, then I'll need to settle back in. Most likely downsize more in terms of paper work as many won't be of concern. I could probably place some or all in the cloud or server. Goal - to be paperless but have documents accessible from anywhere if needed. 

So, here I go in counting down my months before leaving the building. Stay tuned! 

2025 is Here: How am I Feeling?

It's 2025. My countdown to my retirement date is July 1st. I'm quite anxious at the same time scared. But, I've been planning this for years and now that I want to pull the trigger, I have this unease, at the same time excitement to leave my present employment and really take some time off. 

All these emotions running through my head lately is not a surprise. It manifests in my constant checking of my financial health. I'm always logging into my account to see if I have enough to retire. In addition, I'm scrambling to fund a healthy emergency fund, for the just in case moments. Also, taking stock of my health at this time. I have not been running or working out as usual. I walk alot but it's not quite what I find as good. Sleeping hasn't been any easier, for years, I don't sleep a full 6 hours. If anything, much less. Wonder if it's because I'm getting older and "we" old people don't sleep like our days of going to clubs at late night and sleeping till noon. Those days are gone. 

As I settle into 2025, I'm reminded that I've got this, it's my own discipline that may go off kilter. Recently, I booked a hotel and airfare to travel to Las Vegas as a pre birthday holiday. But realized, that I had to save for my big trip to London this summer. That trip is a pretty penny. I ended up cancelling my hotel reservation and received credit for my flight on Southwest. It reminded me that I had to start to rein in my expenses for other experiences that costs more. 

Sunset at Ala Moana Park, Honolulu, Hawaii 

I'm also transitioning my behavior as if I'm retired already. I don't want to be a penny pincher in retirement, but be sensible. If I want to take off somewhere I need to plan and budget. Retiree perks are great since we are not working anymore. We can travel on a mid week date for great airline deals, travel during off season, and eat and drink anytime of the day at my leisure. Strange thought but that's what the advantages of a retiree earns or gets, is time on your own terms. 

I'll continue to manage my last few months for retirement and get to the point of leaving the building one last time. I've worked over 45 years in different capacities, but this last year is a tough one. From starting as a paper delivery boy, hotel front desk worker, executive assistant, and to now a college admissions coordinator really comes full circle. 

This post sets a nice perspective on where I am and hope that the remaining posts sheds more clarity and light for my eventual retirement.

Stay tuned, there may be a slight twist to my adventure?