The pieces of the puzzle is slowly coming together

Flights for next year all booked!

Sydney --> Perth --> Singapore --> London in April 2015!

It's been a long process, thanks to procrastination.

I've always wanted to travel Europe. I've been saving up for a big holiday. I wasn't sure when to travel, when to take time off, and how much time I should take off. I wasn't sure how much I would need. I want to do it right. Been wanting to set off on this big journey for awhile now. This thought came to me probably around the start of 2013. I've heard of many people doing it. I've seen photos on Facebook. I've heard and read stories and experiences of others. I had two choices:

1. Take 1 - 2 months off, travel Europe, do a Contiki perhaps, spend my savings, come back and it's back to reality.
2. Go on a massive big 2 year adventure, do an OE, leave everything behind, quit my job, travel, work, see Europe properly. Spend what I make there.

I chose the latter. I'm young, I've got no commitments, no mortgage, no loan, there's nothing and no one holding me back. I needed change. I needed to step out of my comfort zone once again. I've been working in the same job for 3.5 years now. I am starting to get comfortable with the life here. I have to admit I have no issues with the lifestyle here. I enjoy work, I enjoy my weekends, I enjoy dragonboat and my runs here. I've made wonderful friends in Sydney over the past few years. Friends that I do not want to lose. But, I really needed change. I emphasis on the word NEED. Not that I WANT to, but it was necessary. Why? Because I haven't seen nor experience much of the big wide world out there. It is all still so foreign to me.

I'm a little bit oblivious and ignorant. Or maybe, a lot more than you think I am. For example, a few days ago, I just googled what countries are part of the UK. That's how terrible I am. And for some reason, I wasn't sure if UK is part of Europe. I just assumed it is but if you ask me to bet my life on it, I wouldn't. Well, now I would. After doing some googling. Ask me where France/Italy is in relation to England, I have no idea. What are the capital cities of the European countries? I have no clue. This is why I NEED to travel.

I started to really consider it at the end of 2013 and slowly made my way to make it happen. At the start of this year, I thought I would make it happen in October. I even bought my flight back to Malaysia in October, thinking I would set off on my big journey after being in Malaysia. The ticket was bought in March. I ended up just going to Malaysia and travelled Asia (China + Phillipines) in October. It's because I wanted to enjoy another summer over here with friends, I wanted to do another season of dragonboat, and I do not want to go over when it's winter.

So, here's a brief timeline on me putting the puzzle together. It's not complete but I'm getting there.

Jan: Download HCPC application form.
Feb: Contacted Sydney Uni to get my course outline so I can apply for physio registration in the UK.
April: Sydney uni got the paperwork done, now it's my turn to get the others going
April - July: Massive procrastination on completing HCPC registration. Had to get professional reference from work etc.
July: Submitted application.
September: Application approved.
December: Flights booked. It is HAPPENING!!!!

What else is there to do over the next 3 months?
Working visa application, updating CV, contacting recruitment agencies, apply for jobs, find a place to stay. On top of that, I need to sort out my insurance, bank accounts, etc over here before I leave.

3 months. It's not long to go really. There's still so much to do, so much more exciting things coming up before I go off. Dragonboat regattas, States, Nationals in Perth, friend's wedding, Auckland trip...

I am scared, I have to admit. But I am excited too. It's going to be a whole new adventure. Perhaps a whole new discovery of me, finding a part of me that I never knew I had. There's so many uncertainties out there, but that is how life should be. That is what makes life interesting and that is what keeps us going.

2014 is coming to an end. It's been a rather awesome year I must say. I wouldn't change a thing of it. I can't wait to write my New Year post. 2015 is gonna be ... I don't know. I really don't know what it will be like. All I know is I am going to bid farewell to Australia and start a whole new adventure into the unknown.

"While you're still young, get cultured. Get to know the world and the magnificent people that fill it. The world is a stunning place, full of outstanding works of art. See it." - this is why I NEED to travel. From the article Travel While You're Young

Stay tuned next year!! It's gonna be EPIC!

Gutted and disappointed :(

The desire to complete Six Foot Track next year have been shattered. So angry at myself that I mixed up the dates. Always thought the 28th of November was a Saturday. That was when entries were open. When I realized Friday was the 28th, I checked the website and.... all entries were sold out!!! It was only 12pm. When I checked Facebook, I came to realize that entries were all sold out with 15 minutes. WOW!! Didn't know it was that popular.

Felt very disappointed as I ran that marathon with the main intention to qualify for Six Foot Track. And now, I need to wait till another year. Probably in 2-3 years time. It is still on the bucket list. But it means I need to keep running marathons to make sure I still qualify for it.

On a brighter note, as least that marathon time still did not go to waste. I can use it to sign up for London Marathon 2016. Fingers cross it does not sell out on me again!

Well, looks like I need not train so hard now for this Six Foot Track. Perhaps it's a sign for me to say I should focus more on my last season of dragonboat. Perhaps it's a sign saying I'm not ready for Six Foot Track, I need more trail run experience before Six Foot Track. It is afterall the toughest marathon in Australia.

Time to look for other trail runs. Chin up, and keep moving :)