Allright....as we get closer and closer to us going public with our rtw news......I am starting to have some anxiety about all the things that must get done before we leave for our trip! Many of our friends and family may ask how we ever started prepping for a rtw trip, given that our planning time was only about 7 months out, as compared to years for most people who do rtw trips.
Here are a few of the basics just to get started:
What are you doing about your apartment?
Lucky for me, my lease was scheduled to be up December 15th and I didn't know what I was going to do at that time. Therefore, I obviously chose NOT to renew my lease....and I will obviously not have rent payments while I am gone.
Sooo....where are you going after December 15th?
Well this was a little debate. My parents graciously offered their home (after I asked them :) to me until I left...and while the idea of moving back in with mommy and daddy was tempting, the commute to work every day was not. Lucky for me, I have the best friends EVER and when my friend Lisa heard of this trip she immediately offered up her 2nd bedroom, conveniently located about 2 miles from work, and ironically enough, she lives in the same apartment I used to live in....so I will feel right at home there.
Sooo.....you have to split up all of your stuff between Lisa's and your parents?
HELL NO! I wouldn't wish that upon anyone. The majority of my junk (and ALL of my furniture) will have a new, spacious, 10x10 home at a storage facility in Libertyville. Movers, check. Storage facility booked, check. This all just happened within the last month or so and it's great to get this task off my shoulders. My lovely movers will be here December 14th to cart all of my stuff up to the burbs....and then I will bring some of my stuff back to the rents, a few essentials to Lisa's, and I'll go from there.
What about your car?
Well if the little old lady even lives until February (debatable)....she will have a new home in my parent's driveway. My insurance will be switched to fire and theft only (although, probably unecessary...as my dad so nicely stated "Who the hell would steal that piece of junk?). And if she still runs by the time I get back, I will drive her around for a few more weeks while I search for a new car!
What about your job?
My job.......As you all know, I absolutely adore my job. Unfortunately, taking a leave of absence was not an option at this time.....so I QUIT!!! Can you believe it? Everyone please cross your fingers for me that they are looking for nurses when I get back.......I luckily have two things on my side: 1. We are moving into our new unit shortly after I get back, and therefore one would expect that extra help will be needed, and 2: I am much cheaper than a new employee as I won't have to be trained :) So we'll see what happens!
What about insurance?
Travel insurance is a wonder.....I have already bought my six month package from World Nomads. Of course, a routine doctor visit isn't covered under a policy such as this one, but more necessary travel things are: trip cancellation, interruption, baggage loss, emergency treatment, emergency evacuation, etc. Basically I am being a responsible girl in the months before (squeezing in one last visit at every possible doctor I can think of)...and hoping for the best while I'm gone! I will obviously NOT be insured through my job while I am not working there.
What about everyday tasks (bill payments, nursing license renewal, taxes, etc?)
This is where friends and family will rack up some presents from my travels as repayment for doing these tasks for me :) Luckily, I won't have many bills while I'm gone: my apartment will be no more, which also means no utilities. I paid off my student loans a year or two ago in full...so no issue there. I won't have a cell phone on the road, so nada for that. My storage locker and car/renter's insurance are on automatic bill pay, and my credit card I can easily manage from the road. Taxes: these can be done before I go. Nursing license renewal? License sticker renewal? Thanks mom and dad :) They will be taking care of those for me. They will also be acting as my own personal secretary and if anything crazy comes up when I'm gone they can let me know as I will probably be in constant contact with them (except when I am on a mountain somewhere)....
And that is just the tip of the iceberg planning wise........there are more random thoughts circling my head every day since July about what to do to prep for this trip than I ever thought could exist....you don't realize how all the mundane tasks add up until you sit and think about not having a home base for 6 months!!!
More notes on banking, packing, and planning to come soon!!!!
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