Time for a leap of faith...

Just after my last blog post, one of my cousin’s posted something on my Facebook page that helped put things back into perspective for me. Gotta love how that happens, kind of like serendipity eh? The right few words at just the right time. A little reminder that said…

Stop creating a life that you need a vacation from. Instead, move to where you want to live, do what you want to do, start what you want to start and create the life you want today. This isn't a rehearsal people. This is YOUR life!
Dale Partridge

Indeed it is! And who am I to argue with that? Focus on the goal, right? Eyes front, looking ahead towards them thar mountains!

So after all the procrastinating and the what if’s (which are still there by the way, I’m just trying to keep them quiet and focus on the positives) – where am I up to with these plans of mine you may ask? Some of them have been in progress for a little while and others have come from a flurry of recent activity, so I can do bit of a check list type of update.

Beginning with the easy stuff...

Start a dream/planner type of book and list the things I need to consider - check
Join a variety of relevant Wanaka Facebook pages – check

Sign up for job emails via SEEK and other job agencies – check

Sign up for rental agency and other accommodation possibility emails – check

Adding some more detail...

Get in touch with contacts/friends in the area/country - check
Select a date to aim for - check
Create a time line in the planner book - check
Put together a budget outlining everything that is relevant - check
Pay off debt and start saving - check

It's off and rolling...

Apply for a NZ Inland Revenue Department number (like the Aussie Tax File Number) - check
Open a NZ bank account - check ... hmm this is starting to sound serious!
Book a one way ticket while deciding if this is a holiday or a bigger adventure! - Whoa baby... check!
Book car hire for a week (should be long enough to find a car to buy if I'm staying) - check
Book accommodation for a week (hopefully I can find somewhere to live in that week if I'm staying) - check

Getting to the (gulp) bigger tasks!

Mention to line manager at work about these thoughts I'm having - check
Apply for a 12 month leave of absence from work - Holy Guacamole! - check

NB.. Abovementioned Leave of Absence was approved!! All of a sudden, things have become very real.  Shall we say, game ON!!!

This ball is definitely rolling now!!

Madly start applying for jobs, even if they are just outside of where I want to live (keeping my options open) - check
Explore longer term travel insurance - check
Consider what to do with my car? Ship over, sell, keep - decisions, decisions and still undecided at this stage, so will see what pans out as the time gets closer - check

List the things I need to do/consider before I go and add a timeline to my list - yeah I know, I'm a major list person! - check
Decide how long I can survive without a job - check
Have 101 doubts, wonder if I'm doing the right/wrong thing, then re-focus a zillion times - check

Purchase a new suitcase - check
Purchase some thermals - check
Purchase baggage for my flight because in my excitement booking my flight, I somehow booked a flight with just carry on luggage! (I don't think carry on will cut it for a move over there type of trip) - check


Check my savings and budget weekly (ok, maybe sometimes more frequently because I get all bent out of shape about stuff like that) - check
Decide again (and again) how long I can survive without a job - check

Have a plan B and maybe a plan C... even if it's vague - check
Start thinking about what I can sell to help boost my savings in order to fund my adventure - check
List what I need to take or consider on arrival - check
Review plans for the 493rd time - check

Timeline you say?  This is all starting to sound like it may happen soon and indeed it will...  Define soon! Hmm ok, since you asked soon is in just over 7 weeks time.

I know!  7 weeks... how crazy is that? The time is flying and there is a mountain of things to do between now and then. I can hardly wait!

Wanaka, here I come...