The Writer and the Dreamer

You might be wondering who's writing this blog and why. Fair question. Here's the short version.

I'm Kimberly. Most people in my life call me Kim though and I’m moving my family to Bali.

Life started quietly for me in Atlanta, Georgia; and then it got hard, and when I thought it couldn't get harder, it did. Don't get me wrong, I had some good memories in between the hard. But life felt like it was trying to keep me down from a very early age. I'm not ready to share all of that yet. Just trust me when I say that I have overcome more trauma than someone should have to. Maybe one day I'll be brave enough to share. Right now, it's only important that you trust me and understand that it was a key element in shaping me and who I am today.

I met my husband when I was 17 years old and we got married a few months after I turned 18. I promise you, there wasn't a soul in that church that thought we would be married for more than two years. We have now been married for almost 21 years. Every day hasn't been easy. Like every couple, we have had some amazing days and some days that threatened to tear us apart. But every single day we wake up and choose to love each other and try our best. My husband was in the U.S. Military when I met him, and he was medically retired a few years ago. The military spouse life was so good to me. I made friends with some of the best people, and I had experiences I never would have even dared to dream or wish for. At the end of my husband's military career, we had the opportunity to be stationed in Germany for four years. I had never dreamed of traveling, let alone thought about moving to another country. It was one of the best experiences. I met my soul sister, aka my best friend, or as my husband playfully calls her "my wife." I decided to change career directions and finished my bachelor's degree in Germany. I raised my babies into little kids. We'd end up going back a second time, but I'm getting ahead of myself. After my husband retired from the military we moved back to Atlanta. We thought we were "home" and we would settle back into the American life. We thought we were done moving. However, after four years in Atlanta, we had the opportunity to move back to Germany and we all ran for it again. Life at "home" in Atlanta didn't feel like home, and we were ready for the next adventure. Today, as we prepare for the move to Bali, we have been in Germany for four years, for that second time.

We have two kids, well teenagers really. I'll protect their names for now and refer to them in this blog by nicknames. "James" is turning 17 in a couple of weeks, and "Sue" is turning 14 in a couple of months. James is an "old soul," and Sue is full of life and adventure. They are both great, caring, beautiful children. They have spent more of their lives living in Europe and traveling the world than they have spent in America. I don't think they are old enough yet to understand what an amazing opportunity that is, because it's just their everyday life. But I know one day they will. I'm thankful for the opportunity to teach them about life outside of America. America is home, but the world is wide and beautiful, and it should be experienced when possible. I believe these opportunities will help shape them into adults who will care for others and who can overcome challenges when life hands it to them.

Let's see, what else should you know about me? I'm a Human Resources professional with over 10 years of experience. I believe there is a fine line between business and employees, but I choose to believe that both can be, and should be, chosen. I believe in bringing the "Human" to Human Resources. I care for people, and I hope that shows in my work. AI is the latest thing in the world and, like everyone else, I'm trying to figure out how to live with it. I'd like to think there is a life in which AI helps make my work easier without replacing me. Only time will tell, but I refuse to be left behind.

In my free time, I'm learning to surf and skateboard. I enjoy reading, coloring, and doing puzzles. I love music and you can often determine my mood by the music playing. I believe music speaks words that the soul can't. The ocean is the most amazing place on earth and where I feel at peace. I consider myself pretty funny and like to make others laugh. I love to travel. It pushes me out of my comfort zone. I have ADHD, I'm dyslexic, and I overthink way too much.

I have ten tattoos and will probably have more at some point. Each tattoo tells a story. I like them because life is hard, and I believe that a sticker is deserved when you successfully complete a challenge. I don't hold all of life's answers. I'm still healing and figuring my way through life.

You won't hear me talk about politics, religion, or "current affairs." This blog isn't about that, and I don't enjoy those topics. I'll leave them to others.

That brings me to what this blog is about and why I'm writing it. I'm not writing to go viral. I'm writing for me, my extended family, and friends. And if this blog reaches other people and it's helpful or entertaining to them, then that's just a bonus. I'm writing because I'm excited about my move to Bali and I feel a transformation is happening in my life. I want to document it, like a journal.

You'll find me writing about my continued journey toward healing and finding the real, authentic version of myself. My family and our experiences in Bali, and parenting in a new country. The stories of success and "failures" as I learn to surf and live somewhere completely different. Working remotely, HR tips, AI hacks, and some behind-the-scenes. And for those strangers who happen to come across this blog: Welcome. I hope you find strength and courage in my story. Or whatever you might need.