"It takes a lot of courage to show your dreams to someone else." - Erma Bombeck

Well, Erma was obviously never a blogger...but she's right, to a degree. Once we share our dreams, our ambitions, or goals with others, there is a certain degree of accountability we may be held to. That's one reason I began this rambling...and one reason I jumped right into the dream of traveling the world. I need people to hold me to my dreams or I may let them drift away into the sea of uncertainty. Sometimes, I don't have much faith in myself...I need others to have it for me.

Which brings me to the progression of my travel plans. Yesterday, I spent all day at various (read, two) doctors. I spent almost $800 getting my eyes checked, ordering new contacts (ones that I'm allowed to sleep in!) and updating my glasses so the prescription actually allows me to see. Then I went to get my physical, resulting in a very sore arm; why is it they have to draw blood and give vaccines in the same arm?!? Oh well, a sore arm is better than the flu or Hepatitis A...but I'm still not looking forward to the 5+ more vaccines I have to get.

Monday, I have two more doctors appointments. Then I'm spending the rest of the week packing for home, cleaning so I don't leave the apartment a disaster for Lauren, and seeing as much of my friends as possible.

I'm also looking into very basic plans for my travels. On this point, I'm not sure how much planning should really be done; the whole point is to be open to changes, traveling with new friends, trying new things, and getting the most out of my travels. If I want to stay an extra day or so in Guadalajara, for example, I don't want to feel confined by my "plans." But if I don't plan it out a little bit, what am I going to do for the next two months before leaving for Korea?

If you're interested, here's my (very basic) plan:

November 19-30 : West Virginia
December 1-9 : Chicago
December 10-28 : West Virginia/Virginia
December 29-January 18 : Chicago (ADPi-Gamma Beta Recruitment)
January 19-February 16 - KOREA!! Visiting Bethles.
February 17-23 : Chicago
February 24 : Leave for the GRAND ADVENTURE
(aka Mexico->Central America->South America)

That's really the bare bones. I'm starting to look into getting to said places, but no tickets are being bought yet. There are too many details yet to work out. However, a plane ticket from Chicago to Austin, TX is only $100; Greyhound from Austin to Mexico City is $80. So I'm looking, while not yet purchasing. Mmmm...excitement.

Anyway, if you read this, please remind me that I can do this and it's not some pipe dream...

Lace