I'm someone like you, only I bought a one-way ticket to Madrid and learned Spanish, married a Frenchman. I had the time of my life in my senior year at U.C. Berkeley with Albert Johnson, Berkeley's first Black English professor who used film and humor to combat stereotypes. After deciding that five years in Morocco were enough, I put my French couture clothes in a box and became a hippie when I returned to the good ole USA! We had such fun! I ended up producing an inexpensive feature film, Touch of the Devil, with Max Margolin as my cinematographer. I've never faced such a challenge nor had such an in the moment experience. My novels are about a gal who isn't afraid to slug a guy who importunes her, never lets a friend down and never says die. She's never afraid to speak out, expose the bad guy and help her gal pals in a pinch (which all to often happens). You only live once, so pull out all stops and love your life! If in doubt, adobt a sweet, fluffy cat or tail-wagger! (as in dog)