Christmas Eve and all that....

I thought it would only be fitting for me to post on Christms eve, along with all the millions of other bloggers around the world...

Its actually been a bit of an emotional week this week, for a number of reasons. I think one of the main reasons is this is going to be my last christmas at home for quite along time. Also once christmas passes, it really is nearly time for me to leave. I worked out that after I get paid this week, I only have four pays to go until I finish up work. Scary.....

I had a pretty intense conversation with my parents last night....we were all pretty drunk though(which is generally when a family discussion begins!). My parents were talking about people who regret things in there life that they have done, or didn't do. Both my folks could list things, quite a few things, that they regretted in there life so far. I found that quite interesting, because I do not reget anything about my life. If I died tomorrow (fingers crossed that wont happen!), I could die knowing that everything I have done in my life has made me the person, or the better person that I am today.

Its interesting because when I was growing up, I was a bit of a mess for different reasons. I was pretty much an all out fuck up between the ages of 14 to 18. But everything I did, or didn't do, has made me a stronger more independant person. I don't regret anything I got upto in those years; I don't regret messing up school, I don't regret the idiot I dated for 18 months, I don't regret the other stuff I got upto either.....because every single thing that happened has made me the person I am. And I think I'm a great person.....which I guess is all that really matters in the end hey? Being happy about who you are and what direction your heading in.

Well, I couldn't be happier.....

So christmas is here tomorrow.....it has really crept up quickly over the past month.

Anyway, thats about all I have to say at the moment.

Merry Christmas everyone....

Cheers,

Jess

way to tired to think.....

I actually can't believe I am attempting to update this blog right now, as I have had all of 5 hours sleep last night, about 4 and half the night before, and 5 the night before that....I am absolutely exhausted. Although some people can write better when there tired..you tend to be more relaxed apprently. That could also be a lie....I'm really not sure.

I found out this week my mate Sophie is now joing me for my trip for about 3 months, which will be really cool. I think we will travel pretty good together because we both have the same idea of what travelling is about. By that I mean travelling isn't about going out and getting pissed in every city you visit (although I'm sure that will take place a little bit, maybe every second or third city!)....to me travlling is about being outside your comfert zone and learning what its like to lead a life in a complete different way.

One thing that seriously annoys me at the moment is when I tell some random stranger or even someone I know about my trip and how I have a one way ticket and that I really dont know if/when I'm coming home, they give me the "settleling down" speach. Now this famous speach I thought was reserved for family members only, but apperently its now. Someone said to me the other day "But your such an intelligent girl, why don't you just settle down?".....to which my response was "What? So you should only travel if your dumb ass?". Or the other one that really makes me want to scream is "Why dont you just meet someone, settle down and buy a house?"

Can I just clarify something for everyone really quick???

I DO NOT WANT TO BUY A F**KING HOUSE!!!!!!!

I don't know why everyone seems to think "settling down" here in Melbourne is the be all and end all of the world. People in Australia are starting to sound like some American people....you know the type...the ones who have never left there post code area, but are determined to tell the world that "America is the most fantastic place on earth!". Well, australians are starting to sound like that, especially some people I know.

You know what the stupid thing is? I know Australia is one of the greatest countries in the world. But I never said that until I left to see what other parts of the world are like. I think you can never truly appreciate something until you have missed it. Its a bit like my family....they drive me well up the wall when I'm home, but sometimes when I'm away from here, they are all I want and would do anything to see them...crazy crazy.

Anyway, after that little rant....Sophie is meeting me and Ben in beijing and coming through Mongolia & Russia with me, then Ben leaves from St Petersburg, and Sophie stays travelling all through Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Norway & Denmark with me. Should be pretty ace....

(3 hours later...)

I'm going to have to sign off here because I have just fallen asleep next to my laptop on the couch for the past three and bit hours....I think its time I went to bed!

Till next time....

Jess

96 days to go.....

Can you believe I actually got yelled at by my friend Chris at our work christmas party because I hadn't updated my blog in a month???? Now I know at least one person reads this thing I will try and be a little more organised and provide more updates...!!

So as the title says, I am finally under the 100 day mark. Starting to get a little nervous now. I had my monthly panic about money on thursday and stayed up most of thursday night going back over my budgets to make sure I hadn't missed anything. I think (fingers crossed!) that I should be fine. I have worked out that it will roughly cost me $23,000 from Ho Chi Minh City to London (March 8th to End of October). Thats includes flights, accomodation, food, drinks and visas. At the moment, I have budgetted to have $20,000 cash to take with me....I have already payed $4000 of the trip which means I should have a few grand up my sleeve just in case and trouble occurs...! I only really need to stress abou money until I get to Finland. If for some reason I have over spent from Vietnam to Russia, I can then fly to the UK and work - save up and come back to where I left off.

Still - it would be pretty damn cool not to work for 8 months...!!!

I'm about to sit down and go back through my itinerary aswell. Not because I want to change anything, but because I need to double check everything. I have written the date for when I need to leave each place...but have forgotten in some spots how and when I actually leave those countries...! For example....I still haven't worked out how to get from Luang Prabang in Laos to Hanoi in Vietnam on the cheap yet. Just little things like that...

I'm going to start buying things for my trip now. I have been holding off for a while waiting the sales and all that. They have finally begun - so I will start my shopping this week. The main stuff I need to get is a new day pack, some good hiking/walking shoes and a really tiny sleeping bag.

I think the next three months are going to go so quick. I worked out that I have 6 pays from work left....which means I only have 12 weeks of work left before I finish up. 12 weeks is nothing!! When ever I think the trip is ages away I just remember that bit and it tend to rev me back up again...I do wish I was leaving earlier though. I've just had enough of everything at the moment!!!! I guess when I go I might wish I had more time at home....but I would go spare if I had to wait any longer.

I went and saw an awesome movie with Jodi last week called "Into The Wild". Absolutely awesome travel and life movie. Anyone whos anyone should go see it....

Ok, so I think thats it at the moment.....will update again soon I promise!

Cheers,

Jess