Why I'm doing this.

“If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” ... whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything that all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

-Steve Jobs

100,000!

As of today, my Delta Skymiles account has over 100,000 miles in it.

As of Christmas, it should have over 125,000 miles.

At 150,000 miles, I can get a free business-class ticket to New Zealand, with a stopover in Seoul.

Hmmm.

Biding my time...

It's been a while since I posted. Mostly because there haven't been many new developments regarding my trip. Right now I'm just treading water, trying to save up money (and frequent flyer miles) and trying not to think too much about the trip. I don't want to overplan too much.

Things that I have gotten done: acquired a new domain name for this blog (and possibly more - details in a few weeks); got some new hiking/walking shoes (they're shipping from Timberland this week); and spent way too many hours perusing other RTW travelogues.

I have to admit to feeling a bit discouraged sometimes. In some ways the last few months have flown by, but in other ways it feels like I've been planning this trip forever, and I just want to get GOING!

The most unfortunate development in my trip planning is the pushing back of the trip to April. There's two main reasons for this: 1) three more months to save - I just wasn't going to have enough money put away; and 2) apartment situation. I think that if I wait out my lease to the 1 year point, I should be able to get my building to let me out of the lease - the building is full, and I have a significant construction concession, which means that they could make a lot more money by letting me out of the lease.