Time to work out what I’m doing here!

Written 1st May and updated today

As most of you know, I sort of bought a one-way ticket and landed here not totally sure what I’m doing here. After 3 weeks of having fun in London, I suddenly thought, “Alright. Time to work out what I’m doing here!!”

When I was out with my cousin’s workmates one night, I met this stockbroker who is a South African girl (who also paid for our dinner and drinks as stockbrokers are meant to entertain investment bankers… cool!). I’ve never met such a determined person and she was very ambitious and successful. She was in the same situation as me a few years ago when she arrived from South Africa wondering what on earth she’s doing here! She was the one that gave me a kick in the butt and said “Right. First of all, you need to write down your goals for being here. Secondly….”

So this is what I did:

Main goals:
- To work on an island in Europe during summer before I die
- To be independent (learn to wash, clean, cook etc) whilst working and livig as a Londoner

It is very easy to start working to start earning the pound and then travelling isn’t the main focus anymore. There were some pretty cool job opportunities but decided I should focus on my main goal to work on an island so I won’t ever go ‘What if?” when I get older.

My Plan
- Find a 5 week temping job before I travel - DONE. Will update people on my interesting job in a future post
- Travel to France, Italy (especially Amalfi Coast), Spain – PLANNED
- Work on the Greek Islands – Will get one-way ticket there and see how I go finding a job
- Practice my German again – Pending… am thinking of going to Oktoberfest and visiting German friends
- Go to New York, Ibiza, Croatia, Amsterdam, Berlin – plan to do short trips in 2008 when working
- Live and work in Hong Kong for 6 months – plan to in 2009. Have got permanent residency. Practice my Cantonese and possibly take a course on writing Chinese.
- Do South America for approx 3 months – Plan to in 2010
- Go tribal and live in Vanuatu for 3 months – when I am married