I have a list of life ambitions. Some of them I’ve already—or just about—achieved, like running a marathon, immersing myself in a new country, and writing at least one book. But there are others: taking my meditation practice and health more seriously, studying a new language, learning how to read the dialogue parts of my stories out loud without sounding like a monotonous robot, and mastering some form of dance—preferably salsa. Each of them, however, requires both money and significant commitment, which hasn’t been possible. I have always had to relegate them to the back burner for the right time.

Apparently, that’s now. Opportunities have begun to present themselves. It’s like they’ve been loitering off in the shadows all along, just waiting to spring out with a tip of the hat the moment I turned a corner. This past month, I’ve met two people willing to make a trade: English lessons for Hungarian lessons, and same for ballroom/salsa dance classes. And, although not a trade, a friend mentioned he knows an American living in Budapest who trains prospective actors. Hopefully he’ll teach me how to read dialogue with a touch of believability.

Although we haven’t been out and about much socially, September has been a springboard, an incredible month of possibilities and preparations. I’ve been working like a madman, forcing myself to stay focused, willfully ignoring distractions with fierce discipline, and my book is finally done! Now I’ve got to reach out to agents. And Daniel’s been slaving away renovating his wine shop, which is scheduled to open in October. We attended a Hungarian wine festival in search of more quality stock, and he’s been making key business contacts. He’s also a candidate for a job he’s been wanting since we arrived in Budapest.

After all these months in a new place, trying to figure out if we’ll be okay, it finally feels like we will be.