I then remember them coming back from the six week trip and sharing their highlights and all the mischief they got up to. I really did regret giving up on a life time trip with them :(
Move forward to 2009. By this time, I have already saved enough money to travel. But with different priorities in life, Europe was placed on hold. I gave myself the same excuses for 2010, but 2011 was finally a wake up call for me.
This year has been such a big learning curve for me in all aspects of my life. I thought that moving back to Perth after two long and hardworking years in the country was going to be a positive start for the year, but it wasn't. So much has happened this year both with work and personal things (Sometimes I regret coming back to Perth). Being overwhelmed was an understatement. Although there has been highlights this year, the negative aspects have caused me to overlook things that I should have appreciated. With all that has happened, I finally made a brave
Going overseas for the year is not simply just for having fun and travelling anymore as I once dreamt of. It is more to do with leaving all my problems behind me and starting fresh. I guess it is an excuse for me to not face my problems temporarily and to chicken out from it. But I do know that I really do need to leave here for a while and to give me time to clear my head. I'm going to use this time to gain some life experiences and hopefully have a sense of direction in what I want to do for the rest of my life.
I remember there was a moment in time when I thought to myself that I would give up this trip to stay back for someone. That was a stupid thought and I'm glad I never did it for that person. As people say: when one door closes, another one opens for you. Going overseas is the door that God has opened for me and I hope he will continue opening up other doors for me along the way.
Here I am now with just three weeks left before I venture off to my first destination: Japan. After that, it will be to Malaysia for a wedding, before my final stop: London. This will be the beginning of new sights and experiences for me, and a chance for me to see all that Europe has to offer!
With airfares to all destinations booked, working visa sorted and only some minor things to organise, I can now count down to the big day when I'm ready for a really big and hopefully positive new chapter in my life!