11 August 2010
Four weeks from today I’ll be arriving in South Korea and embarking on a journey I never could have imagined doing a few short years ago. It’s not that traveling around the world for a year is so farfetched for me – those who know me know traveling is in my blood – but quitting my teaching job and taking off with little in my bank account is uncharacteristic for me (especially in an economic downturn!). My accountant father taught me to be more responsible with money so I hope he forgives this infraction. I’m taking a huge leap of faith, faith in others and myself that things will work out. I’ve postponed my dream of being abroad too long and my life in New York City needs a little shaking up. So I plan to go on this journey with my mind and eyes open to what possibilities come my way. We’ll see if I fall in love with a place and choose to move there or discover a better career path for myself. Maybe I’ll meet some amazing people and do some incredible things and that will be enough. Or maybe I’ll get dengue fever and have to come home early! Let’s hope not! One thing is for certain, I will be different, I will have faced my fears in order to attain a dream, and I will have broken free of the strong arms of New York City.
My first stop is South Korea to hopefully earn some money teaching English (I’ve been working feverishly on a TESOL certificate). Then I will get to see some dear friends in Singapore before trekking around Southeast Asia. Then it’s off to India, Tanzania and Ghana. If I'm lucky I'll be able to swing visiting friends in England and Spain. That’s the general plan with expectations of changing things up a bit. My dates are all flexible so I can go at my own pace.
I am excited to be pursuing this dream, but it is one of the most risky things I’ve ever done and I’m nervous. There is so much unknown and unplanned. But the wheels are in motion. I have moved out of my apartment and am grateful for friends who have opened their homes to me. I have gotten shots, visas, airplane tickets, etc. I could still decide not to go and report for work on Sept. 7 rather than flying to South Korea, but I know that wouldn't be right for me. Postponing the dream in exchange for a discontented stability is no way to live. The support of family and friends has been a great source of strength for me as I am about to do what many would think is crazy (maybe you are one of them).
Off to do more prep work for my journey....
