One day closer...

Alright, today was a good day. It rained in Chico (where I live...I don't think I mentioned that...) for the first time of the season today. I just love that fresh aroma that circulates on the breeze right before, during and immediately following the first drops of autumn rain. I love pretty much everything about Autumn. The leaves, the rain, the chill in the air that suggests a scarf and peacoat....(SEE!!! I BELONG IN LONDON!! haha) It was nice today to wake up and get to choose from the many sweaters I actually own instead of having to pick out a tank top or shortsleever because it's too damn hot here. No...today I got to wear CLOTHES!! HA!

So, on the topic of travel...I have already begun the saving process for going to England. Yesterday, I earned some cash in tips (I am a stylist, btw...also probably forgot to mention that bit..) and stuck it in a jar to put towards getting my passport. From what I'm told by Nika - she called me today! - the whole process is pretty cake, and since I'm doing it so early, I won't have to worry about anything. The passport itself costs $75, with a $25 handling fee at the Post Office. So, as of yesterday, I'm basically only $40 away from my passport! Oh yeah, and I've gotta take some passport photos, too...two of them..and I want them to look good since a passport lasts for 10 years....that's another 10 bucks, so I'm $50 bucks away. Not too shabby...

Everyone I have talked to about this trip is very excited for me and has been very encouraging. Before this, I haven't really had the discipline to save money for anything of this magnitude. I've had to save for car repairs, concert tickets, etc, but nothing like this. I don't think I've ever actually taken a real vacation in my life since adulthood. This is a huge thing...I'm stoked.

Alright...I'm going to sign off now, as I have plans to remenisce with a close friend of mine over a pitcher of Blue Moon (great beer, btw....have it with orange slices...excellent times...). If you're reading this and have no idea what's going on, please refer to the initial blog for clarification...if you're a returner HAAAY!! Thanks for coming out... and until next time, remember the paypal account... ;)


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My initial attempt at sympathy...

Alright, so here you are. You're reading these words, wondering what subject could inspire someone to create a banner, organize a profile and actually take the time to write down stuff for others to click to, read over and click past....What is it that brings both of us here today?

Travel.

Personally, I have never done much of it. I went on a cruise to Mexico, Ensenada to be exact, when I was 13-years-old with my parents and younger sister to celebrate my parents honeymoon. (Yeah, they took us on the honeymoon....wierd, huh?) Anyway, besides that short stint outside of American lines, I've never been outside of our fair US of A. I've driven through many parts of California for one reason or another, and the farthest north I have been is Seattle, Washington. Sadly, my Seattle experience was for about 2 hours and at night when I was 18, so I can't really write that down as a full experience.

So, let's get to the point.

I want to go to Europe. My best of the best friend, Veronica, hereto referred as "Nika", is currently a resident of Colchester in the UK. For a period of 10 long months (long for me, but too short for her, I'm sure), she will be studying abroad to gain units toward a Bachelor's Degree in Special Education, after which she will return to the US to become a teacher.

Yeah, she's got goals, yo. Honestly, she's one of the most motivated 21-year-olds I have ever had the pleasure cross paths with. That's her there in the green. Not only is she brilliant-minded, but she's pretty sassy, too. ;) Alright, moving on...

Nika has asked me to come visit her in lovely Colchester. *Sigh* If only I could, I say to myself. With bills, bills, bills, piling up higher and higher every day, this idea seems but a pipe dream to me. I look at the "I owe" column of my finances, and it eats, swallows, and doodies out the "I can save" column before I can restock it. Yes, at 25 years old, I too am a victim of the rat race, seemingly working just to pay bills.

However, I am not the type of person to give up on something that seemingly has quite a bit of life-lesson style worth to it. In all honesty, this particular venture could possibly be one of the most memorable of my life. Traveling to foreign countries, I am told, is a life-changing experience. It can mold you into a more thoroughly rounded person, giving you an opportunity to take part in the many different cultures that Earth embraces.

"WOW!" I say to myself, "This sounds like SO MUCH FUN!"

"But..." I interrupt. (I hate when I do that, by the way.) "How are you going to do it?" Let's figure this out...

Things I have to figure out:
1. Price of trip
2. Dates of trip
3. Things that need taking care of before trip
4. How I'm gonna get the money to pay for this trip.

I'll begin to do some research on these 4 items. I'm sure other things will come up as they must, and I will document as such. I'll keep you posted on where I'm at in the race, and maybe you can give me some hints, tips or tricks to get me there quicker, cheaper, or just easier in general. Check back to keep up on my progress...and if need be, push me a bit... ;)

I took the first step today and actually went to the Post Office and picked up an application for my passport. Now, mind you, I'm a first time international traveler, so all of this stuff makes me anxious and excited all at the same time. I didn't even have my purse off of my shoulder when I got home before I started filling out the application. In very neat, very legible handwriting I filled out each little section, carefully making sure to read all of the directions and fill in the bubbles completely, not straying outside of their confined spaces. Then, I carefully tacked my lovely app on my bulletin board, so that it can await the 100 bones that it costs to order the actual passport. So, I guess the exciting part, at least for me, is at a standstill....

For now, there is gouda and rye Triscuits calling my name....and a bit of reading to do. Cheerio!


p.s. I have set up a PayPal account to help save some money for this trip. It's set up for those of you who feel sorry enough for my misfortune to throw down a buck or to for the cause. Your donations will be very kindly accepted, and appreciated more than you can possibly imagine. Consider it a donation to a worthy charity... ;)



Just go to PayPal.com, click on "Send Money", and enter my email address (rubyjayne@hotmail.com), and fill out the appropriate information! Be sure to include your email address so I can thank you properly! :)



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