I’m moving to New Zealand this year.

I loved New Zealand and the person I love lives there.  Additionally, I’ve always wanted to live there.  Don’t ask me why, but it’s just always been one of the countries on my list of places I wanted to live (also including England, any European country, and Mexico).  And I want to move there by the end of the year, sooner if possible.

I’ve already chosen the path I want to take and now I’m just trying to figure out how to make it happen. Before going I want to finish paying off my credit cards and bank the money needed to go there on a working holiday visa.  Plus I need a plane ticket, insurance, and other miscellaneous expenses.  So now I’m at a place where I’m trying to figure out how to make it happen.

The past few months my online income has been rising dramatically each month.  It’s been encouraging to see more success, but it is still not a full time income.  It is more like pay equivalent to a part time gig.  With living at home it is currently paying all my expenses.   But it’s not getting me to New Zealand anytime fast at this rate.

I suppose one problem is that it’s not a full time job.  I don’t work on it full time.  I could but as of yet I’ve either had other jobs or been traveling.  So now that I’m in one place and settled I have a decision to make: do I go full speed ahead trying to create an income online or do I start searching for a job?

The correct answer is probably both.  But job searches can last months.  In months I’m hoping to be getting ready to move to New Zealand.  So perhaps instead I should look for short term freelance projects once again (anyone need a writer/blogger?) and even contemplate a waitressing job.  Plus, searching for a full time job when I don’t intend on staying longer than a year seems unfair to whoever hires me.

Or maybe I should continue with the online biz action. I’ve got an info product I’m working on that will be released next month and maybe I should focus hardcore on that launch before making a decision.  I know long term that this is what I want to be doing, I’m just not sure if now is the right time to make that jump.

If you want to share your thoughts, feel free.  But keep them positive, since this is a positive thing.

I’m excited to be moving abroad again!  And this time I will understand everyone for the most part!  It’s going to be awesome!

So where am I traveling?

I AM GOING TO NEW ZEALAND!!!!

I’ve wanted to visit New Zealand for years.  I had almost saved up enough to move there a few years ago but those plans fell through as did my plans to visit the country.  But now I’ve got the plane tickets purchased, a place to stay, a few friends to meet up with and a whole lot of excitement.

But I don’t leave for another month.  Darn it.

So I’m going to use my month to plan a little bit more.  What do I want to see?  What do I want to do?  What are the best things in New Zealand to experience? I’m planning on making some lists and figuring out exactly what I can’t miss on this first trip to New Zealand.

I will be staying in Auckland and mostly hanging out on the North Island.  I’m staying with my boyfriend (for more on that, read a little weight loss blogging love story) and we are going to Taupo and a few other cool North Island places.  I have two or three people I will be meeting up with for sure in the Auckland area and maybe even someone from Australia.  I’m excited to meet all of these people that I’ve befriended online.  It’s going to be an awesome travel adventure!

Have any of you been to New Zealand?  Do you have any suggestions for things to do/see/eat/experience while I am there?

I’m big on goal setting these days, so I’m going to write out some goals I would like to accomplish.

In the next 13 days I want to…

Hit 500 subcribers on my healthy living blog. I’m 10 away.  So, if you feel like going over there and subscribing (by rss or e-mail) that would be cool!  I know a weight loss blog isn’t everyone’s thing.  Not everyone cares to read about things related to weight loss and fitness, but if you do, thanks.

Finish uploading videos for Green Mountain at Fox Run’s youtube page. This is part of the work I’ve been doing up here in Vermont.  I’m pretty happy with what I’ve managed to do, considering I have basically zero video experience.  It has bee a nice learning experience that will be over in 13 days.  (Hurray!)  If you would like to check out what I’ve been doing, go watch the first video of an intro to beginner’s kickboxing.

Figure out my living arrangements in Memphis. I keep putting this off because frankly I don’t want to find a place to live.   But it needs to happen because I am coming back in just 13 days.  Maybe if I just keep repeating the time frame to myself it will sink in so I finally decide to make things happen.  Anyone want to house me?  Please?

(I’m not even going to mention that fact that I need to find some sort of temporary work while I’m home.  It’s almost too much to worry about since I’ll only be there about a month before I set off to travel to New Zealand.)

Besides a bit of shopping, packing, and giving away cards and presents to the people I grew close to here, those are the main things I need to take care of or want to do in the next 13 days.  I also want to have some fun, because I’m loving Vermont and the people here.  And there is a birthday to celebrate.  Hurray!

But two days after Christmas I find 70 degree weather when I step outside. Memphis weather never ceases to surprise and confuse me. Five days ago the temperature was 14 degrees and all I wished for were more blankets and hot chocolate. Today I am wearing flip flops and a t-shirt and worrying about straight line winds.

The warm weather encourages my wanderlust. I feel the spring air and immediately want to start planning trips. Since I can’t afford to go anywhere yet I will settle for making a list of the places I want to visit next.

1. Hawaii, United States. In the last year several friends have moved to the big island. Its always been a place I wanted to visit. I briefly flirted with the idea of living on the island, but the high cost of living killed that idea.

2. London, England. This is the top city I want to visit. I originally wanted to study abroad here but ended up in Austria. I have only been to the airports in London and would love to visit the city and explore.

3. Iowa, United States. I have a dream, perhaps an unusual one, to drive to Iowa, get some corn, and come home. One day this will happen.

4. New Zealand. The second island on my list of places I want to visit. My friend Melisse lived there for a while and I loved seeing her pictures and reading about the island. I can’t wait to visit.

5. Salzburg, Austria. I want to revisit the city I fell in love with when I studied there during college. If possible I would love to visit within the next year while two friends are living in Austria.