Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. If that statement is proven to be true, then hold on because we’re about to move way outside our comfort zone.
My name is Rosemary St.Clair and I’ve been comfortable my entire life. I was raised in a family of 8 kids by parents who were married for 60 years. We lived in Beaverton, Oregon in a farm-house where we raised animals and grew our own vegetables. We weren’t rich in the monetary sense but we were rich in living adventures and storytelling. We were comfortable.
By the ripe age of 19 I had “settled down” into my comfortable life. I was married to my best friend Greg and had started my first “real job” at NIKE. We had three kids by the time we were 28 and created adventures and great memories as “The Saints.” We drove a Suburban, loaded it with a bike rack, threw the kids, a dog and cat into it and headed out on vacations around the Pacific Northwest. We were privileged enough to take some great trips to Mexico, France, Spain and my mother’s homeland, Amsterdam. We love to travel. We are comfortable.
Over the last couple years we’ve seen our kids grow into healthy, young, active, adults. The two oldest graduated college and are working and living comfortably. The youngest is a junior in college, working through her summers and studying abroad this upcoming school year.
This next year, Greg and I will celebrate our 50th birthdays and our 30th wedding anniversary. Our comfortable life as wonderful as it is has become predictable. Our kids know that Thursday is “Pizza Thursday”, Friday morning is “Waffle Friday” and Saturdays in the fall are meant for college football and the Oregon Ducks. They know every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 5:30am we meet the same group of friends at different Starbucks locations around town and go for a run. They know if they stop by on a work night around 7pm, they’ll most likely find us on the couch, with the TV on, answering out loud the questions to Jeopardy while playing Words With Friends on the iPad. Life may be too comfortable.
All that is about to change. In September, we will pack our bags and head to Shanghai…that’s right, China, to begin for the very first time a life outside our comfort zone. I’ve asked for and accepted a job with NIKE that will open the doors to a world of unknowns. Greg and I are so excited, anxious and a bit nervous for this next chapter of our lives. Our kids are all very supportive and can’t wait to hear about our adventure.
We’re excited to share our stories and adventures with them and with you. Enjoy.
SQUARE MELONS 
R&G. We will miss you and so glad we can share your adventure outside your comfort zone.
I’m so excited to hear about your adventures and so happy for you! You will find all the challenges of living abroad to be exciting, refreshing, frustrating, disheartening (at times) but a wonderful opportunity to grow in faith, hope, trust, love of humanity and of your homeland. You are a great storyteller and you will have many new tales to share. Life is interesting at 50 and your journey will be something to treasure for years to come. Everyone should take the time and energy to live abroad at some point in their lives, for it is only then that one can truly appreciate the simple things in life. It is good to see through the eyes of someone else and to truly understand their viewpoints instead of the sometimes limited ones we are taught through the media. Best of luck and I look forward to hearing all about life in China. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Kathy. Your advice from your experiences means a lot to me. Stay tuned for stories from our adventures.
We are very excited to, once again, go on a journey with you guys. We are so happy for you. Enjoy the ride. You will be missed. Love you guys… What the Hell…… SIS!!
Okay Will. I’ll allow you to call me “Sis” just this one sentimental last time. And that will be my last Will. Love ya.
So excited for you. Don’t forget to “friend” on Facebook my friend (Melisa Bush) who is teaching in Shanghai for the second year. You guys will love her and her husband, Bill. By now she knows her way around and is really anxious to meet you. She often posts photos of the “food” she is eating over there and I guess to be honest with you some of it looks, well….”.yuck” might be the nicest way I can describe it. So get your taste buds attune to some new tastes. I can’t wait to hear your candid description of life in Shanghai! I have a feeling if you keep a daily log of your new adventures a book deal may be in the making upon returning home! Can’t wait to see photos and hear all about your adventures! You’re going to have a blast and Shanghai won’t know what hit them when you show up on their soil! Love ya’ lots and lots!
Can’t wait to read all about your new adventures & see loads of pictures (I hope). What a great opportunity for you guys. I will miss you. Let me know your phone # when you get one. Lots of love & hugs. Mom
thank you Rosemary for including me !!! Can’t wait to hear about your adventures !
I made my comment on Facebook too soon. Now I know what the exciting news is!!! What an opportunity. I am kinda jealous as I always wanted to travel but now in my dotage (almost 75) I could care less. I like being in my comfort zone but revel in the fact that I can now travel vicariously!! Can’t wait to hear about all your adventures.. Aunt Lani
Firstly, thank you for including on your journey. What a lovely way to bring us along and keep us close. I almost feel a hug….almost:). Selfishly you know what I was hoping you would do but selflessly what an amazing way for you and Greg to celebrate a wonderful 30 year union of comfortable living while continuing to learn and expand your professional experience. I look forward to hearing about all your adventures and whenever you’re back on campus I look forward catching up in person. Be well and live loud.
I would love to follow the great China adventure!!
You are a great story teller like your dad. I enjoyed reading about your upcoming adventure to China and hope to hear great things about your accomplishments and obstacles. It is hard to believe so much time has lapsed in our busy life. It is wonderful to hear that your children are supportive of what will be your new comfort zone. Take care on your journey.
So a friend of mine sent me an email today saying, “… you should check this blog out because you’ll love the author and you get to read the impact, adventures and journey of a couple from the US adapting to life in China”.
Imagine my surprise when I realised it was you – the lovely person I met last week.
I don’t want it to sound creepy, but I am really going to enjoy reading this but hope I get to interact with you more than just via the pages of your blog.
Welcome to the most wonderful, magical, frustrating, complex place on earth.
It’s going to be an amazing journey..
Wishing you & Greg all the very best ! & thanks so much for inviting me read your stories..