Wow, it has been awhile since I posted.  I’ve tried to maintain my adventures at least semi-weekly, though have admittedly let myself off the hook a few times too many – turns out I still need all of you to hold me accountable 😉

I have also quit my job (which is a feelings-ful post in itself) and can now switch my focus entirely to my “pseudo RTW trip,” which begins in just one week.

Here are the quick and dirty details of the trip: fly from Seattle to Thailand via a 12-hour layover/frantic sightseeing trip in Hong Kong.  Then the next roughly two weeks will be spent in and around  the island of Phuket, Thailand.  I have to be in upstate New York for a wedding in mid-September so I’ll take my time getting there via a couple of days each in London, Paris, and Grenoble (France).  Then I’ll be in NYC for a hot second before decompressing pre-wedding in the Buffalo area.

Work took a lot of my time and energy for the last few months so this is the first time since booking flights and ho(s)tels that I’ve been able to think about this trip as a reality rather than an abstract concept.  It’s been in the works in some capacity for almost a year so the fact that I’m leaving NEXT WEEK is kind of mind-blowing.  I have a lot of packing and prep to do – meanwhile my partner in crime has been packed for days now – and will include a more specific post of what I’m bringing…once I figure it all out 😉

The biggest question mark right now is actually a little bit of political unrest in Thailand.  Earlier this week, about a dozen bombs went off in tourist areas around Thailand, to include one of the beach towns I’ll be staying in.  The bombings seem to be a result of some changes in the Thai government and subsequent targeting of tourist areas around the country.  In talking to friends and family who knew of the trip and were concerned, the risks at this point don’t outweigh the benefit of the trip.  The reality is that there are risks everywhere, and who’s to say that I would be any more at risk in Thailand than I am driving in my car day in and day out.  My perspective has been even more cemented this year after seeing a friend of mine killed and two friends of mine get cancer diagnoses – I’d rather spend my life living rather than letting the “what ifs” get in the way.  For someone with an anxiety disorder who a year ago struggled to leave the house, this is huge progress, and I plan to make the most of my mental and physical well-being.  That being said, I’ll be vigilant and do my absolute best to stay safe.

Okay, time to be my best Type A personality and start making some lists!  Like I said, I’ll elaborate on packing as well as our itinerary in subsequent posts, but any suggestions for what to bring, what to eat, where to go, etc. would be welcomed!  Good to be back ❤