ramble

i've been frustrated for the past couple of days. with a month left on my round the world trip, i feel like time is slipping away. i feel like i should be out there seeing magnificent, wonderful things that i can't see anywhere else, but for the past couple of days i've just been walking to the beach, hanging out, etc. part of the problem is that, in this part of brazil, there's nothing to see that's mindblowing eg no angkor wat, magnificent mountains.

i've been having a tough time living in the present, mostly because i'm preparing for the future. i've already started reaching out to contacts, and looking for jobs. i've even applied to a few. i'm a bit concerned that companies may actually be trying to get back to me, but can't because the number listed in my resume is turned off. oh well.

my rationale is that if i start lining stuff up now, i'll be ready to hit the ground running when i'm back in seattle. but the truth is that i have a month left on my epic journey, and that i should be enjoying it to the fullest extent possible.

i was going over some interview prep stuff yesterday, and happened upon the question "what do you consider your proudest accomplishment?" this made me think, and realize that this past year will be my proudest accomplishment. and why not?

taking a year off to travel around the world is not easy, and not a lot of people do it. for the past year, i've lived out of a backpack that weighs no more than 40 pounds. every two or three days i'm sleeping in a different bed. i could go on and on about the things i've seen, people i've met, etc.

so maybe my year off won't be my greatest accomplishment, but certainly it will be my proudest.