For a while now, I've been planning on getting SCUBA certification before my trip. However, time and money have both been an issue lately. I think I may have stumbled upon a solution, though: I'm just going to get certified on my trip.
And this is where I'm going to do it.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Friday, February 24, 2006
The List
So I've used Google's new GooglePages function to put up a quick pack list. It's incomplete, and I'll be updating it more this weekend. But go ahead and check it out! I've also added a link on the sidebar.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
the iBook
the iBook
Originally uploaded by Gaz Errant.
More new gear - this time it's my new laptop! The old laptop, though still great, was at the end of its warranty, so I decided to get something newer, faster, and with a 3-year warranty. Applecare is great, as they have technicians all over the world. If my iBook goes crazy in Malaysia, it's no problem.
The Specs: 12" screen, 4.9 pounds, 1.33 Ghz G4 processor.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
New gear!
IMGP1149
Originally uploaded by Gaz Errant.
Behold my new travel sandals, sitting on my mess of a desk. They're Keen Newports (Keen is the brand name, not an adjective. Though they are indeed keen). I'm only bringing two pairs of shoes on my trip, and this is one of them. The other is a pair of Timberland trail shoes.
Monday, February 13, 2006
I just quit my job.
Well, I gave notice, really. I wanted to end things on very good terms with my employer, so I just gave what amounts to 3 months' notice. My bosses took it very well - they seemed rather jealous of the trip. And they were both very supportive.
Between the doctor visits, talking to my building management, and giving notice at my job, things are happening very quickly now. May's going to be here before I know it. The trip has always had somewhat of an unreal, dreamlike quality to it. That quality is fast fading, and it's being replaced with the knowledge that this is real, and that I'm leaving the country for most of a year in only three months.
Between the doctor visits, talking to my building management, and giving notice at my job, things are happening very quickly now. May's going to be here before I know it. The trip has always had somewhat of an unreal, dreamlike quality to it. That quality is fast fading, and it's being replaced with the knowledge that this is real, and that I'm leaving the country for most of a year in only three months.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Good news and bad news.
Well, bad news first (always the best way to go): due to various circumstances, I'm having to put myself on a much more stringent budget until May in order to save the amount of money I was expecting to save. In fact, I may not actually save quite as much as I expected by the time I leave. It's unfortunate but unavoidable.
So I'm cutting back on any costs I can. No more eating out, no more Netflix, no more buying ANYTHING that isn't for the trip. I have two short trips planned between now and May that I'm still going to go on - but only because I've already made the plans and paid for the tickets.
Now, the good news: I started getting my vaccinations this morning. Wonder of wonders, my insurance apparently covers them. I had heard horror stories about the cost of vaccinations, and that insurance generally didn't cover them. But mine does. I got a Polio booster, Tetanus booster, Typhoid, and the first Hep B shot. I go back in a month to get the second Hep B (I might get Yellow Fever and Meningitis then just because my insurance covers it).
I've also bought a pair of pants! Ex Officio Fatigue travel pants - REI.com was having an amazing clearance sale, so the (normally $100) pants were $17. Of course, since I bought them online, I didn't have a chance to try them on, but at that price I'm not too worried. I can always send them back if they really don't fit.
So I'm cutting back on any costs I can. No more eating out, no more Netflix, no more buying ANYTHING that isn't for the trip. I have two short trips planned between now and May that I'm still going to go on - but only because I've already made the plans and paid for the tickets.
Now, the good news: I started getting my vaccinations this morning. Wonder of wonders, my insurance apparently covers them. I had heard horror stories about the cost of vaccinations, and that insurance generally didn't cover them. But mine does. I got a Polio booster, Tetanus booster, Typhoid, and the first Hep B shot. I go back in a month to get the second Hep B (I might get Yellow Fever and Meningitis then just because my insurance covers it).
I've also bought a pair of pants! Ex Officio Fatigue travel pants - REI.com was having an amazing clearance sale, so the (normally $100) pants were $17. Of course, since I bought them online, I didn't have a chance to try them on, but at that price I'm not too worried. I can always send them back if they really don't fit.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Meerkats!
Thought I'd spice things up with a post from my Disney photos. The weekend was great - hit all the parks, plus we saw La Nouba (the Cirque du Soleil show at Disney). At Animal Kingdom, not only did we get a GREAT safari (see all the pictures on Flickr), but we got to ride the new Expedition Everest ride (which doesn't officially open until April).
A world of difference from what my upcoming trip will be like, but it was a great weekend nonetheless.
A world of difference from what my upcoming trip will be like, but it was a great weekend nonetheless.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006
100 Days, Part III
Ok, so 100 days (once again) passed over the weekend. I was at Disney World, so I couldn't post. But things are progressing nicely.
This morning I had my physical. I'll be waiting for bloodwork results for a few days, but otherwise I'm in great shape (although I could stand to lose a little weight). I've got an appointment with a travel health specialist this Friday to start getting my vaccinations out of the way.
I've contacted my apartment building's leasing office, and it seems like breaking my lease may be my best option. They confirmed that they wouldn't give me any problems subletting, but I think that it would be far more trouble than it's worth (unless I find out that someone I know well needs an apartment). The building is full, so it's likely my apartment would get rented as soon as I moved out. I'd just end up losing my security deposit.
This morning I had my physical. I'll be waiting for bloodwork results for a few days, but otherwise I'm in great shape (although I could stand to lose a little weight). I've got an appointment with a travel health specialist this Friday to start getting my vaccinations out of the way.
I've contacted my apartment building's leasing office, and it seems like breaking my lease may be my best option. They confirmed that they wouldn't give me any problems subletting, but I think that it would be far more trouble than it's worth (unless I find out that someone I know well needs an apartment). The building is full, so it's likely my apartment would get rented as soon as I moved out. I'd just end up losing my security deposit.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Ok, this time I REALLY mean it.
I guess I will have yet another 100 days post... Although this one will be the last. I have finally booked AND ticketed the tickets! I now leave on Sunday, May 14, at 6 AM from LaGuardia.
I actually moved the tickets by choice this time, as Korean Air has recented upgraded the planes they use on several routes. The route I was previously booked on was NOT one of those routes, so I've changed my flights to route through Chicago. Hopefully what this means is that I will be in a more comfortable seat, with a larger TV screen and wireless internet access on the plane.
And I now have 4 more days to get things done.
Incidentally, it took me about 3 hours on the phone (between yesterday and today) to get the last 3000 miles into my Skymiles account. There was some miscommunication between Amex and Delta. But I eventually got to 150,000. Thank you, Skymiles.
I actually moved the tickets by choice this time, as Korean Air has recented upgraded the planes they use on several routes. The route I was previously booked on was NOT one of those routes, so I've changed my flights to route through Chicago. Hopefully what this means is that I will be in a more comfortable seat, with a larger TV screen and wireless internet access on the plane.
And I now have 4 more days to get things done.
Incidentally, it took me about 3 hours on the phone (between yesterday and today) to get the last 3000 miles into my Skymiles account. There was some miscommunication between Amex and Delta. But I eventually got to 150,000. Thank you, Skymiles.
Monday, January 30, 2006
#1 Priority - Vaccinations
One (partially) down! I got an appointment with my doc, next Tuesday morning. Now I have to start figuring out which vaccinations I want to get, so I can take the list to discuss with him when I get my physical.
100 Days and Counting! (aka A Bit of Deja Vu)
Well, it's 100 days away. Again. And right now I'm having some more Delta issues. Hopefully I won't have to put up a "100 Days and Counting - Part III" post...
I still haven't gotten on ANY of the things I need to get done. Mostly because I've been focusing on my trip to Disneyworld this weekend. Oh, and I figured out at least one more thing I have to put on the list: Insurance! I need to get travel insurance for my body and my gear. I've been doing some research on this already, but it's another cost to put on the "buy before leaving" list.
But at least I've already done my taxes. Soon I'll have that extra refund money socked away with the rest of the trip funds. Things are looking up financially - I definitely think I'll be able to put away enough for the trip and for my cushion to return to without putting myself seriously in debt.
Ok, I think I'm going to call my doctor right now to schedule a complete physical and the vaccinations.
I still haven't gotten on ANY of the things I need to get done. Mostly because I've been focusing on my trip to Disneyworld this weekend. Oh, and I figured out at least one more thing I have to put on the list: Insurance! I need to get travel insurance for my body and my gear. I've been doing some research on this already, but it's another cost to put on the "buy before leaving" list.
But at least I've already done my taxes. Soon I'll have that extra refund money socked away with the rest of the trip funds. Things are looking up financially - I definitely think I'll be able to put away enough for the trip and for my cushion to return to without putting myself seriously in debt.
Ok, I think I'm going to call my doctor right now to schedule a complete physical and the vaccinations.
Friday, January 20, 2006
We've moved into May now...
Ok, a tiny setback has happened, causing me to push the initial flight by 10 days. The Delta Skymiles that I expected in my account by today have not posted yet, and as such I was unable to book the April 28 flight (the deadline was today). So, now I'll be flying out on May 10.
The good news is that I have booked my layover in Seoul. I'll be in Seoul until June 12. Well, actually, I'll be in Korea and Japan until June 12. I plan to take my week of Japan before I hit NZ (it's much easier to plan the RTW ticket that way). June 12 I fly from Seoul to Auckland. Then, perhaps a bit of snowboarding, and off to Australia.
At least this gives me 10 more days to get all my preparations taken care of.
The good news is that I have booked my layover in Seoul. I'll be in Seoul until June 12. Well, actually, I'll be in Korea and Japan until June 12. I plan to take my week of Japan before I hit NZ (it's much easier to plan the RTW ticket that way). June 12 I fly from Seoul to Auckland. Then, perhaps a bit of snowboarding, and off to Australia.
At least this gives me 10 more days to get all my preparations taken care of.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
100 Days and Counting...
Well, the title is self-explanatory. 100 days remain before I head out on my trip. And there's a heck of a lot to get done in those 100 days. The list:
Get out of my lease
Store/sell my stuff
Tell my job I'm quitting
Get vaccinations/physical
Get all necessary gear
Draft tentative itinerary (to avoid monsoon season, etc)
Get deferments/forbearances on my loans
In the next few days, I'm going to sit down with this list and figure out the priorities on it. Right now I know that I plan to tell my work about my plans at the end of February (giving them about 6-7 weeks notice). I also know that I need to start getting the vaccinations very soon, otherwise I risk not being able to finish them before I leave.
Get out of my lease
Store/sell my stuff
Tell my job I'm quitting
Get vaccinations/physical
Get all necessary gear
Draft tentative itinerary (to avoid monsoon season, etc)
Get deferments/forbearances on my loans
In the next few days, I'm going to sit down with this list and figure out the priorities on it. Right now I know that I plan to tell my work about my plans at the end of February (giving them about 6-7 weeks notice). I also know that I need to start getting the vaccinations very soon, otherwise I risk not being able to finish them before I leave.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
My New Year
As of 8:33 PM tonight, I will be 30 years old. My new year starts today. And this new year is looking like it will be the best and most interesting one so far.
When I put on my headphones this morning and hit play on my iPod (random playlists are wonderful), the first song to play was "Throw It All Away" by Toad the Wet Sprocket. Now, I'm not one for superstition, but if this isn't a sign, I don't know what is. The lyrics:
Take your cautionary tales
Take your incremental gain
And all the sychophantic games
And throw ’em all away
Burn your tv in your yard
And gather ’round it with your friends
And warm your hands upon the fire
And start again
Take the story you’ve been sold
The lies that justify the pain
The guilt that weighs upon your soul
And throw ’em all away
Tear up the calendar you bought
And throw the pieces to the sky
Confetti falling down like rain
Like a parade to usher in your life
Take the dreams that should have died
The ones that kept you lying awake
When you should’ve been all right
And throw ’em all away
With the time I waste on the life I never had
I could’ve turned myself into a better man
’cause there ain’t nothing you can buy
There is nothing you can save
To fill the hole inside your heart
So throw it all away
Won’t fill the hole inside your heart
Help me to empty out this house
Wool I’ve gathered all these days
And thought I couldn’t do without
And throw it all away
Ok, not all the lyrics are appropriate. I'm not planning on having any TV bonfires. But the song is about change, about giving up the things that are holding you back as a person. And that's a big part of what this trip is about for me.
When I put on my headphones this morning and hit play on my iPod (random playlists are wonderful), the first song to play was "Throw It All Away" by Toad the Wet Sprocket. Now, I'm not one for superstition, but if this isn't a sign, I don't know what is. The lyrics:
Take your cautionary tales
Take your incremental gain
And all the sychophantic games
And throw ’em all away
Burn your tv in your yard
And gather ’round it with your friends
And warm your hands upon the fire
And start again
Take the story you’ve been sold
The lies that justify the pain
The guilt that weighs upon your soul
And throw ’em all away
Tear up the calendar you bought
And throw the pieces to the sky
Confetti falling down like rain
Like a parade to usher in your life
Take the dreams that should have died
The ones that kept you lying awake
When you should’ve been all right
And throw ’em all away
With the time I waste on the life I never had
I could’ve turned myself into a better man
’cause there ain’t nothing you can buy
There is nothing you can save
To fill the hole inside your heart
So throw it all away
Won’t fill the hole inside your heart
Help me to empty out this house
Wool I’ve gathered all these days
And thought I couldn’t do without
And throw it all away
Ok, not all the lyrics are appropriate. I'm not planning on having any TV bonfires. But the song is about change, about giving up the things that are holding you back as a person. And that's a big part of what this trip is about for me.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
A few minor changes to the plan.
Ok, so no matter what, my current flight to NZ is not going to change - I have to enter NZ before July to activate my WHV. But I'm thinking that perhaps I will only stay in NZ for a couple weeks in May, touring around auckland and the north island, and then start on my RTW going westbound. That way, I'll hit Australia at a good (read:cooler) time, head through Asia in the summer, and end up doing Europe (a little bit) in the fall, and then returning to NZ to work in NZ's spring/summer, rather than its winter.
I know the plans keep changing right now, but I feel like each change makes my trip better and better. The new plan would allow me to do the working part of my trip towards the end of the trip, when I'll actually need the money, rather than at the beginning, when I'll have a lot of cash to work with. I think this makes more sense financially. As well as climateally. (Yes, I know that's not a word. No, I don't care.)
I know the plans keep changing right now, but I feel like each change makes my trip better and better. The new plan would allow me to do the working part of my trip towards the end of the trip, when I'll actually need the money, rather than at the beginning, when I'll have a lot of cash to work with. I think this makes more sense financially. As well as climateally. (Yes, I know that's not a word. No, I don't care.)
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Look to your right.
That's right, you see a countdown clock. Because I have tickets. TICKETS! I've used my Delta Skymiles to get a business class round-trip ticket to Auckland, NZ. I leave LaGuardia at 4 PM, April 28, 2006.
So much to do, and only 16 weeks to go. This is getting exciting.
So much to do, and only 16 weeks to go. This is getting exciting.
Friday, September 30, 2005
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
Thursday, September 22, 2005
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.
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.
Monday, September 19, 2005
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.
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.
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