A Bit of Inspiration

"You don’t have to live your life the way other people expect you to. You can do good things for yourself and make the world a better place at the same time."  - Chris Guillebeau, The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World












“All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.” – Samuel Johnson

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry, but by demonstrating that all peoples cry, laugh, eat, worry, and die, it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends.” – Maya Angelou

Shopping for Flights = Not so much fun.

Ideally, I wanted to be able to head over from SE Asia and see where the wind took me.  If I liked a place I would stay there until I felt like moving on, or if a great opportunity took me someplace else I could pack up and go.   Two things didn’t allow this to happen, my budget and volunteering.  For flights I budgeted $6,000 with the hopes of it being closer to $4,000. 

When shopping for airline tickets to SE Asia and S America I because super confused, did I want and around the world ticket, a circle pass, a bunch of one way tickets or something else?   How much would each one cost?   How much would it cost to change a flight?  Basically what was the best option for me?  After numerous calls and searching websites, I decided to ask for help.  I called a travel agent.  Diane at Around the World Travel would be the lucky person trying to fit my needs with my budget. 

She told me I had two options, since RTW tickets didn’t fit my needs at all.  I could do one way tickets the whole way, which would give me the most flexibility, but they tend to be expensive.  When she ran the numbers they were almost double my flight budget.  The only option that was available for my budget was an airline broker, the downfall being all my flight would have to be picked ahead of time.  In the end I planned my SE Asia flights and timetable in two weeks.  The flights now fit my budget; I just hope the accommodations, fun, and food to do.  If not, and I have to leave any place early it will cost around $200 per segment to change.    

 Here is my finally itinerary:

SERVICE               DATE  FROM           TO             DEPART  ARRIVE

AIRTRAN AIRWAYS       23JUL MILWAUKEE WI   SEATTLE WA     

                   SATURDAY GEN MITCHELL   SEATTLE TACOMA

Y ECONOMY                   AIRCRAFT:      BOEING 737-700

UNITED AIRLINES       27JUL SEATTLE WA     TOKYO          

                  WEDNESDAY SEATTLE TACOMA NARITA                 28JUL

Y ECONOMY                   AIRCRAFT:      BOEING 777-200/300

ALL NIPPON AIRWAYS    03SEP TOKYO          BANGKOK        

                   SATURDAY HANEDA         SUVARNABHUMI I

Y ECONOMY                   AIRCRAFT:      BOEING 767-300/300ER

NACIL AIR INDIA       03SEP BANGKOK        DELHI          

                   SATURDAY SUVARNABHUMI I INDIRA GANDHI

Y ECONOMY                   AIRCRAFT:      AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A321

NACIL AIR INDIA       03SEP DELHI          KATHMANDU      

                   SATURDAY INDIRA GANDHI  TRIBHUVAN

Y ECONOMY                   AIRCRAFT:      AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320-100/200

NACIL AIR INDIA       06OCT KATHMANDU      DELHI          

                   THURSDAY TRIBHUVAN      INDIRA GANDHI

Y ECONOMY                   AIRCRAFT:      AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320-100/200

NACIL AIR INDIA       06OCT DELHI          BANGKOK        

                   THURSDAY INDIRA GANDHI  SUVARNABHUMI I

Y ECONOMY                   AIRCRAFT:      AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A321

THAI AIRASIA          08NOV BANGKOK        DENPASAR BALI  

                    TUESDAY SUVARNABHUMI I NGURAH RAI

Y ECONOMY                   AIRCRAFT:      AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A320-100/200

CATHAY PACIFIC        22NOV DENPASAR BALI  HONG KONG      

                    TUESDAY NGURAH RAI     HONG KONG INTL

Y ECONOMY                   AIRCRAFT:      BOEING 777-300

CATHAY PACIFIC        23NOV HONG KONG      SAN FRANCIS CA 

                  WEDNESDAY HONG KONG INTL INTL                   22NOV

Y ECONOMY                   AIRCRAFT:      BOEING 747-400

UNITED AIRLINES       23NOV SAN FRANCIS CA SAN DIEGO CA   

                  WEDNESDAY INTL           LINDBERG FLD

Y ECONOMY                   AIRCRAFT:      AIRBUS INDUSTRIE A319

------------------------------------------------------------------------

            TOTAL AIRTICKET PRICE INCLUDING INSURANCE            4122.00

As some of you may have noticed this itinerary is only for the SE Asia portion of my trip, the reason being I could not travel straight from SE Asia to S America, and therefore I would have to purchase separate tickets for the S America portion.  I have decided to wait on the 2^nd portion to see where my budget and heart is in at October.

Lessons learned:

-If you are planning your first big trip a travel agent is great, but ask her what she did so you can do it on your own next time. 

-If your budget is tight, planned dates can be the cheapest way to go to the places you want.  

San Diego Wishes

When you leave a place there are always so many things you wished you would have done, and hope you do when you return.  Or even worse the places you that you crave while you are gone. 

Here are few of mine for San Diego and the surrounding area:

Of Course Real Mexican Food!

Adobada Street Tacos from Tacos El Gordo – in SD and TJ

Taco Bell #3 in Tijuana

Border Churros

California Burrito from Lolita’s

Salsa from Maurice’s Mexican Food on Adams Ave.

Nachos from La Salsa (I know it’s a chain but I haven’t found one in the Midwest)

TJ Hotdogs and Corn from Lucha Libre

Vegetarian Mexican from Pokez

Other Food

Senor Mangos - Fresh Smoothies

Bombay Coast in Claremont Square - Mango Masala from

Crazee Burger - Fries from (The burgers are better in WI though)

Kim’s Deli – Manhandler, Chargers, and Gourmet Tuna - they were cheap for being so loaded, I

love Jackie and some of my best memories were made at the tables outside

Sara, Linda, and Jill’s Cooking – they kept me healthy and made me try new types of food

Tropical Star - Empanadas, Plantains Sweet and Fried

Food Trucks – MIHO being the best

Mexican Bakeries – Pan Dulce and Fresh Bread - Mariela’s Aunt’s in Tecate is the best!

Bronx Pizza – hot owner and the best NY pizza outside of NYC

Things to Do

All the Tastes Especially Taste of Hillcrest

Beer Tastings / Fests – A great place to find them is City Beat’s Beer Club

Watch Culture Shock perform especially the Hip Hop Show Case

“Free Shows” at Cricket Amipthearte – one of the great perks of my job

Walk the Beach – IB or La Jolla Shores

Sailing with Capt. Mike through Southwestern College

Wakeboarding with Wakeboard San Diego

Hanging out at the Martgomery’s

Spending the weekend at Tanks

Salsa Dancing at Venezuelan Parties

Tubing and camping at La Jolla Indian Reservation

Visiting La Casa Hogar Las Memorias in Colina La Morita, Tijuana, MX   

Christmas Train to Tecate

Water Station at the Rockin Roll Marathon

Midnight Madness

Wine Tasting in Temecula

Free Tuesdays at Balboa Park

Earth Day at Balboa Park

Things I Wanted to Do

Pageant of the Masters – Where Art Comes to Life

Art in the Streets at MoCA

Bonfire on the Beach

Watch the San Diego Derby Girls

See more shows at the Hollywood Bowl

Makeout with a Celebrity …. 

Hello Unemployment, Goodbye BBBSofSDC

I can’t believe my last day of employment for 6 months, maybe a few more maybe a few less, has happened.  I believe the longest I have gone since I started at 15 ½ was three months and it was because I had knee surgery.   Not having an income and living off my savings / what people have generously giving me as going away and graduation gifts will be a new thing for me.  I just keep telling myself it will be worth it, and it will pay for itself in different ways. 

That being said I want to thank everyone who made my employment at Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County so special, so much so that I hope to return to the States and work at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago.

It all began when I heard about my cousins having Bigs and how much this person meant to them and to my family.  This small seed lead me into being a Big Sister, joining the YPC, and applying for numerous positions I was not qualified for.  Finally a position that was a perfect fit for me opened up, I promised the HR director I would quit applying for everything and annoying her if she allowed me an interview.   She says it was just because I was qualified, but the story isn’t as fun without the other information.  I started in September 2007 to the best 1st month for any new employee.  My first week I participated in a Total Team Retreat as part of the “Bee” Team racing around San Diego, my second week I was helping to give a presentation on a cruise ship, and it was finished off with watching a Padres Game from a private box.  To my last month of pranks, including autocorrect, fun calendar reminders, my car being tagged with my “BBBS” mask, a recording breaking Golf Marathon thanks to Jimmy Langley, memorable and racy talks with the cube crew in front of Kim’s, to a final goodbye lunch at Chick-A-Fila. 

 I can only hope my next job brings as amazing people into my life.  Thanks gang!

1st Volunteer Application Submitted

Part of my dream of traveling around the world is do volunteer while I’ll do it, ideally getting free accommodations and free food, so I can stretch my budget even further.  Some people are surprised you have to pay since you are doing free labor and others think of course you have to pay you do not want to take anything away from the people you are helping.  It is the double edge sword I live with every day in my field, and all I can say is for me it all evens out.  I’ll work hard and make sure the money is used right. 

After some research I stumbled upon All Hand Volunteers.  All Hands Volunteers is a US-based, 501(c)3 non-profit organization, that provides hands-on assistance to survivors of natural disasters around the world, with maximum impact and minimum bureaucracy.  They support  volunteers with housing, meals, tools, and organized work at no charge we are able to provide free and effective response services to communities in need. Our programs are directed by the needs of each community in which we work, ensuring a timely, relevant, and culturally sensitive response. 

The project I applied for is Project Tohoku in Japan. 

On March 11, 2011 an earthquake and tsunami damaged Ofunato and Rikuzentakata, Japan, an estimated 2,400 people died and 7,200 houses were destroyed.  All Hands was invited to help, and has extended the project to September 2011 to keep working on debris removal and home rehabilitation so that families can return home.

If accepted it will be dirty and physical work and I will be outside for most of the day. I would work six days a week with each Tuesday off roam the area.  I would be living in an office building or rehabilitation center that has been converted to base camps.  Basically a large shared spaces with over 40 people sleeping in one room with a 10pm curfew.  I will be using Asian style toilets (which I can’t wait to find out what that means) and living as the Japanese do where shoes are not worn in the house so plan to have designated house-only slippers.

Keep your fingers crossed that I'm accepted :)   

Rang De Basanti makes me want to add India to my list

After a long day at work, missing my Zumba class for my last vaccine, I decided to hit the library and check out a couple of books and movies.  Rang De Basanti captured my attention for some reason - a God Wink maybe, since I was actually looking for Step Up 3D.  

The story is about a British documentary filmmaker who is determined to make a film on Indian freedom fighters based on diary entries by her grandfather, a former officer of the British Indian Army. Upon arriving in India, she asks a group of five young men to act in her film. They agree, but after they begin filming a friend of theirs is killed in a fighter aircraft crash, with government corruption appearing to be the root cause of the incident. This event radicalizes them from being carefree to passion-driven individuals who are determined to avenge his death. (Thanks Wikipedia).


In this movie there is just enough Bollywood songs and dances, to keep the story a light hearted even though it is often dramatic sad.  Yes, I cried if you were wondering.  


Here are the lyrics to  Khoon Chala that put to words and music the feelings I felt while watching this movie. 


Translation from Hindi to English, from http://venkythinky.blogspot.com/


kuchh kar guzarne ko khoon chala khoon chala
Our blood is raging ... It is flowing through the streets But It wont go in vain

aankhon ke sheeshe mein utarne ko khoon chala
Our eyes are blodshot for a purpose ... A cause we will attain

badan se tapak kar, zameen se lipatkar
It fell from our bodies ... Embraced the earth

galiyon se raston se ubharkar, umadkar
Went winding through the streets. A river of courage ... it surged and swept

naye rang bhar ne ko khoon chala khoon chala
It flowed to make a new beginning

khuli-si chhot lekar, badi-si tees lekar ahista ahista
From gaping wounds, and gashes large ... it oozed slowly and steadily

sawaalon ki ungli, jawaabon ki mutthiWhile the pointing fingers, got fists in reply

sang lekar Khoon chala
yet, our blood was raging. It flowed not in vain but with a reason

kuchh kar guzarne ko khoon chala khoon chala
A cause we will attain

aankhon ke sheeshe mein utarne ko khoon chala
Our eyes are blodshot for a reason. A cause we will attain

badan se tapak kar, zameen se lipatkar
It fell from our bodies ... Embraced the earth

galiyon se raston se ubharkar, umadkar
Went winding through the streets. A river of courage ... it surged and swept

naye rang bhar ne ko khoon chala khoon chala
It flowed to make a new beginning ... Yet, our blood was raging

khoon chala
Yet, our blood was raging

Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots - $870 worth

With the joy of traveling to exotic places come with a bit of pain in the form of vaccines both orally and injectable.  For my travels to SE Asia and S America with the help the International Travel Clinic in San Diego, I decided six that will hopefully keep me safe.  

Four shots one day, no biggie. 

Here are there names, how long they last, the cost that I paid, and a link to CDC: 

Tetnus Diphtheria Pertusis - Good for 10 years -  insurance or $45

Hepatitis A - good forever if one gets 2nd shot 6 months later -  $90 

Yellow Fever - Good for 10 years - $100 

Japanese Encephalitis (lxiaro) -  2 years - $570 

Typhoid (oral) - good for 5 years - $80   

Influenza - good for a "year" - $10

I also had the following already:

Hepatitis B

Meningococcal

MMR

Polio

And I decided against Rabies, because the preexposure vaccination only is decrease the number of vaccine doses needed after exposure and it costly at $225 per vaccination.

Now I only have to wait four weeks for my second Japanese Envcephaltis vaccines, and then I'll have all my painful shots out of the way for this trip so I can have all the fun ones.