This whole gap year thing is going to be a nightmare. I wonder whether I’ll be able to put my firstborn off by saying he has to fund the whole thing himself and that it has to be educational in some way. Although, I will make a little exception if he would agree to learn Mandarin in China or Taipei or build a school in Zambia, then I would contribute something, but otherwise he’s on his own.
Last night I went to a lovely farewell dinner for my god-daughter who is just about to set off on her Gap Year….although in fact it’s only half a gap year of travelling with three other girlfriends because it’s taken her a while to save up the money. I did have a moment, towards the end of the evening where I went from being hugely impressed to feeling slightly sorry for everybody else around the table. Mostly me. Obviously. There she was having a gorgeous meal, looking young and beautiful and we were all offering support and good tidings for her to have an extended luxury holiday.
I slightly began to struggle when she talked about her plans. Starting in Australia, then off to the Far East bla bla until I wanted to cry with jealousy. OK, she has been juggling 3 jobs in order to pay for the whole thing, but still I couldn’t help wishing I could have a space like that again in my life to be so free – YES OK I can do it in a few years when the kids have left BUT IT’S NOT THE BLOODY SAME IS IT, when you have rubbish legs with veins on and a fat arse and wrinkles and a body that won’t stay where it’s meant to in a bikini (A bikini? Did I actually just say that. No chance).
I WANT A GAP YEAR. Even if I have to go to cold places so that I can sit on the beach in a kaftan. I gave her a card that said “What’s wrong with your mother coming on your gap year?”.
My poor son is going to be so disappointed when he find’s out that I’m not actually joking.
March 2nd, 2010 at 12:10 pm
“What’s wrong with your mother coming on your gap year?”.
“What’s wrong with your STEP FATHER coming on your gap year?”.
I have pleaded with our eldest girl…..
Sadly, Veterinary Schools are a bit sniffy about gap years so it is unlikely that she be able to take one. Incidentally, Newcastle Med. School has an excellent reputation and access to leading specialists. The Newcastle Med. Graduates that I know didn’t seem to have time to socialise!
March 2nd, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Can I come too?
March 2nd, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Yes. Of course. In fact we’ll all come and stay with you in Singapore!! Lx
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:00 pm
I’m coming too.
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Great Lx
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:11 pm
Gosh, I’m coming too! and definitely NOT wearing a bikini. Tag for you over at my place xx
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:32 pm
Brilliant. I’ll buy two kaftans then Lx
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:12 pm
oh to have that freedom again…
March 2nd, 2010 at 3:37 pm
I wish I’d taken one, but I couldn’t (money being the primary reason, and since my school journey was a four hr round trip so no chance of any other job other than a saturday job) and I wish I’d taken some extended trip to see the world a bit after my bachelors too
but student loan debt and the need to work to be able to actually stay alive also got in the way. But I think I could come join you guys too if you’ll have me? 
March 2nd, 2010 at 4:29 pm
would be great if you could come to Claire Lx
March 2nd, 2010 at 7:22 pm
One of my biggest regrets is that I didn’t take a gap year, but I also had the sense to anticipate that I probably would never come back and then I’d end up at about 35 unqualified for anything other than waitressing. But that’s another story.
Anyway – I’m all packed. Just let me know where and when.
March 2nd, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Brilliant. I am having a deja vu moment. I know we’ve packed once before. But what the hell. We have a plan. We have places to go. We have Mud in Singapore. You in the States. Janelle in Tanzania. Shiny in Cape Town. Who else wants to offer a bed for a merry band of bloggers (and my son)? Lx
March 3rd, 2010 at 12:46 am
it is really ok to be envious , jealous even….but then…you can do this too…just not now…
saz x