The Traveling Herbalist

So it has certainly been a long time since I've written.

Lots has happened. I was working multiple jobs at a time, to pay off a lot of school loans (yay American school system--you fail), and save for my major trip. I am currently on a working holiday visa in the gorgeous country of -- New Zealand! I have already been here almost 6 months, and am absolutely loving it! The people are super friendly, the food is amazing, delicious local wine and cider, and every landscape is stupid pretty. I was just about to start another hostel job, in Fox glacier, in the south island, when the lovely NZ prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, announced a lockdown starting on Wednesday, March 25th, 2020. At the time this was announced, it was Monday and my boss and I were trying to figure out how many hours I could get, since the borders were closed , or what to do. Even thought they were listed as an essential business, and needed to stay open, they closed since the PM said businesses must close (go figure).
So currently I am doing my best to find a remote job, in customer service, as a virtual assistant or something along those lines...till than, I have a lot of free time, and figured why not write --since I love it.

Where to start...guess the beginning...

Almost 6 years ago now, I saw this incredible picture of someone on some mountain hike. I found that location was Mt Aspiring, on the south island in New Zealand. So that, plus my sister wanting to help me go in the right direction, sent me an article about a famous blog couple living and working in New Zealand. I decided to print the hike picture out, and on the sides drew lines, to represent my trip savings.

Mt Aspiring National Park Hike.

 https://youngadventuress.com/2020/01/hikes-in-mt-aspiring.html

Only thing was, my income wasn't that great. Paying off loans was hardly feasible at the time, let alone saving for a international trip to an expensive country. As luck would have it I was working at a food co op, great place, pay was ok...eventually I was laid off, budget issues (facepalm). Eventually I would learn this was a good thing. I got a job at a local gym, also not the best place to work...but I was desperate. Eventually, through a friend recommending me, I got a job at the Minneapolis airport (interesting and exhausting place to work in general).

I worked multiple jobs at a time...saved tons of money, wrote up a paid off goal sheet, time line for trip...etc. This helped me keep track of money goals; I had a lovely sheet written in black, that I'd mark off in red once I paid off a loan, credit card etc. Once I got into a good rhythm, of working, and paying things off, it felt very good to pay in full loans--oh man! Repeat this for almost 3 years. Friends, and family, including my sister asked me, "how do you do it?". Well I am very very driven to reach goals, I ate well, had not much of a life outside of work, and when I worked at the airport, they had a lot of registered therapy dogs. Instant de-stresser!

A lovely dog at my Airport

I was on very good track with saving for my New Zealand trip, and paying off loans--woot!
Through lots of more hard work, quitting one bad job at the airport, I got hired with a temp agency to work for a health insurance company--very hard job but quite rewarding --helping people. I was hired on in the spring, since I started working for them via  employment agency.
Start the countdown---T minus 6 months to New Zealand! Now it get's fun, and even a bit more challenging. Work two jobs, minimize, sell, and pack up … what I was keeping, or taking with me abroad. I've gotta say, I need to move more often again, to minimize some things I have...one reason I miss college.

This Blog's Summary:
-keep on working towards your goals, even if it takes a while
-never give up
-stay focused
-Do it even if it sounds crazy to some

Coming Up:
- prepping for living and working abroad