About Me

Hey! I'm Stefan and I’m in the process of trying to "get out of my own way". I'm learning to laugh at myself and not take myself - or life - so seriously.

I've lived most of my life in the South – Tennessee and Georgia  – and grew up with very strict, religious but loving parents. Yes, I appreciate them and what they stand for to this very day. However, I’m a late bloomer in a lot of ways.

I returned to college to finally get my Bachelor’s Degree in Communications at Georgia State University when I was …let’s just say I was quite a bit older than the traditional college student (LOL). After FINALLY graduating and being involved in an often tumultuous long-term relationship, I decided to move to New York City!  Yes, the Big Apple!  And this is where the birth of this blog begins.

New York City!!!  The BIG APPLE! Yes, New York opened me up. If it wasn’t for New York and the city’s millions of challenges and rewards, I wouldn’t be here now. NYC is/was THRILLING, BEAUTIFUL, EXHILIRATING but...CHALLENGING in so many ways - relationships, jobs, apartments, even washing your clothes and waiting for seemingly hours in line at the ATM.

Well, after getting laid off for the third (yes, third) time from yet another dead-end, clone drone job, I decided enough was enough.  The Higher Power was telling me, this wasn’t for me at this point in my life. So I went back to school to get my certificate to learn how to teach English as a Second Language.

After much, much stress of obtaining that, I packed up all by stuff, put it in a box and came to Quito, Ecuador to immerse myself in the Latin culture and take Spanish classes.  I decided I wanted to learn Spanish and teach English. I’ve been here now for three months and so far it has been an experience.

I haven’t started working yet as a teacher, as I’ve become so entrenched in trying to learn Spanish. It’s become like a challenge (an obsession maybe???) that I really want to conquer. I know it’s going to take time, but I at least want to have a good base. I’m not the most patient person though, and I’m sure you’ll often see my frustrations reflected in this blog.

After Quito, my next step is to go to Bogota Columbia in April to continue my Spanish studies, obtain an English-teaching job, and of course, share these experiences with you!  I'm going to see if I can make a go of this thing in Latin America for a whole year. Got it!  O.K. here we go!…………………………….

I said I wouldn't, but...

My Spanish tutor, Alba, who I absolutely adore, told me about the South America's Explorers Club and recommended that I join. It's an expatriate club that dispenses information for expats, etc.

Okay, I was hell bent on NOT joining any expat clubs, and even avoiding any English speakers since I only wanted to (try and) speak Spanish. But, yesterday I joined the expat group. I figured, well I can't live in a bubble the whole time I'm here.

As a way to welcome new members, the club administrator had a fiesta for new members. By the way, he was African American and from NYC (Washington Heights to be exact). He seemed very intelligent, extremely nice, and easy to talk to. He gave me some quick tips on living in Latin America and what led him here. He speaks Spanish fluently (so I guess there's hope for me yet). I was very impressed by his demeanor and he inspired me to actually keep on keeping on.

I met some nice people at the fiesta. One couple I met, Jason and Michael, have been living in Quito for 14 months. They both seem to enjoy living here. Jason is from a small town in Georgia and Michael from Boston. Jason is the director of a British school here, so we talked about opportunities of me teaching English at this school. So we're supposed to talk more about that and also go bike riding next week. In all honesty, I don't think I want to live here, but the experience would be valuable until I can jet outta here to Bogota. 

Details on the interview, the bike ride, and Jason and Michael as a couple later. Until then...

Back...for the first time

I know, I know I’m late with this blog, right? Well, it almost didn’t happen. I did start it back in October, and even put a few things on it, but I wasn't feeling very inspired. BUT after giving this some serious thought and having intense conversations with friends and family about my life option at this stage of my life, I’ve conceded to BLOG about the journey and the experiences it holds for me.  As one of my dear friends, Vernon, pointed out. If we are brave enough to open ourselves up by letting go of fears of rejection, disappointment or even shame, at the end, we discover that we have arrived.  And, more importantly, when we share these eventful moments in complete truth with others it makes a difference to them on so many levels. I have had so much support from my family and friends that I can’t let you down.  My words can’t thank you enough, but as a way to somehow thank you, this is sort of my gift back to you.

Okay, okay enough with the deep philosophy of it all.

Anyway, I spent three weeks with family and friends in the States, and I'm now back in Quito. I arrived yesterday night. No hassles at the airport. but I certainly had them when I left Quito Christmas morning. La policia checked my luggage THREE times! The weather here is nice and pretty warm during the day. So different from the bitter cold and snow in Atlanta. It's a welcoming change.

Wow! I'm actually here!

So, I'm staying in the hostal, Posada del Maple, in the Mariscal District of Quito. The hostal gives me the feeling of staying in an old historical colonial house...well, actually, that's what it is. It's very cute with its winding staircases, tile floors, concrete walls, and courtyards with tables for us travellers to sit and read a book or sip a cup of cafe con leche.