About Me?

I should probably give you a quick introduction of who I am in case you just happen to end up following my blog and aren't a part of my inner circle of family, friends or acquaintances.  I'll have to keep this brief as for now my work doesn't know of my travel plans and I don't want someone to google my name and find out what I've got planned until I advise them of whether I am staying with the company or quitting!

My name is Jane and I'm a 20 something year old (real age will be revealed later if you care) living in Canada (yup, that's how vague I am going to be).  My travel buddy is named Matt and we have known each other our entire lives.  We grew up literally across the street from one another.  As I look out the window now, I can see his house!  Matt and I grew up playing together and going to school together and now travelling for the 2nd time together (first trip was a 1 week all inclusive trip to Cuba).  We are both at a point in our lives where we are ready for change.  We've both finished our schooling and have worked hard - both in school and at our jobs/careers, but have find ourselves craving and desiring something more out of our lives.  For me, I've always loved to travel.  I've been to many places but I always desire to see more...to learn more, to feel more, to taste more of what the world has to offer.  There is so much beauty in this chaotic world and I can't wait to start exploring it with my own eyes.

How did I get here?  Why this trip now?  Well basically, I just finished schooling for the 2nd time around this past summer.  The first time around I went to university with the goal of becoming a teacher.  Short end of the story is that in my 3rd year I had what I refer to as my "first mid-life crisis" where I decided that I no longer wanted to be a teacher.  I had dreamed of being a teacher since I first started kindergarten, but something within me changed.  I decided to press on and finish my degree.  I then spent the next 2 years working full-time while trying to figure out what career I would thrive in and have passion for on an ongoing basis.  Eventually I figured it out - Human Resources (I know, odd, right?).  I decided to apply to a Post Baccaleaurate Program at a local University.  From the very first class I took, I was in love with HR.  I loved attending the classes, participating and yes, doing the homework, projects and presentations. I loved practically every minute of it.  I loved it so much that I put forth great effort and graduated just shy of a perfect 4.0 GPA (darn it...0.08 off).  At least "with distinction" is on my diploma.  Well, it's now time for me to find a job in the HR field.  The job market is not so great right now and so I'm in this impasse.  Should I use my savings to travel and pray for a better job market upon my return or continue working where I am while waiting for HR jobs to be posted so I can even attempt to apply?  Hmm - travel it is! 

I've always loved travelling and there isn't a moment when I don't have the travel itch (already been to Italy, Germany, Austria, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, New York, California, Nevada, Mexico, Alaska, Cuba, Dominican Republic and explored around my own province).  This just seems like the perfect time to go! Finances are in order, schooling is complete, local job market is not optimal for new career, currency exchange rates are awesome....conclusion is that I should travel and travel NOW!

It's Official - I'm going!

My one way plane ticket to London is booked! Not only did I book my plane ticket, I also booked a 2 month continuous Euro Rail pass and applied for my working holiday visa for Australia. What is even more exciting for me is that within 2 days of applying for the visa, it was approved! Talk about efficiency.  No wonder I love that country (Australia)!

On May 3, 2011, I will be in for the adventure of a lifetime.  On the agenda thus far: England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Turkey, South Africa, Egypt, an African Safari, Australia, Fiji and New Zealand.  Time and money permitting, I'd love to see some of South East Asia as well, maybe even India! The itinerary is pretty rough looking right now but within the next 4 months it will be polished up quite nicely.  The only thing my travelling buddy (Matt) and I are certain about is that we must see the running of the bulls in Pamploma, Spain!  That is scheduled to happen between July 6 to 14th, so we'll definitely be spending a few days in Pamploma taking part in the festivities.

Prior to heading abroad, there is a ton of stuff to do!  Purchase travel insurance, research where to go & what to do, exchange currencies, decide what to pack and what to leave behind, immunizations/vaccines, Visas for countries to visit, working Visa for UK, selecting African Safari trip, book first few nights accomodations in London, and the list goes on.  I also have a huge decision to make regarding my current job.  Do I ask for an unpaid leave of absence for a specific time period (which I am about 75% certain they would deny my request) or do I give 2 weeks notice in mid-April?  I've been weighing the pros and cons heavily for the past couple days and have not come any closer to reaching a decision.  The only positive is that I do have at least 2 more months to decide what I will end up doing!  If you have any advice, I'm all ears.

That should do it for my first posting.  I hope to maintain this blog with updates on the travel planning and then on the travel adventures.  Keep checking in!