September 16, 2008

• Best laid plans...

  And all it takes is a bit of wind and water to wreck them. Though, to be fair, I didn't have any really solid plans for the rest of my trip, other than having my brother join me in late October for a bit, and that's still happening. But since Ike apparently did a number on my roof, I can't come home skint (or broke, for those who don't speak Brit/Kiwi) like I was pretty much planning to.

  So, no running off to Australia for a couple of weeks like I had planned. No checking to see how much it would cost to hop through Fiji on the way back to the US. And no guided Milford Track walk. And instead of maybe staying until early December, I'll head back with my brother.

  Funny thing is, while I can't claim to be thrilled about changing my plans, I'm sort of relieved, too. I've been ready to go home for a couple of months, off and on, so I'm sort of glad to have a reason outside myself to head back. Besides, it's more than past time for me to start being better about my money, so this is a good exercise in being a bit more frugal. (And I had just had this conversation with myself yesterday while hiking up to the observatory just down the road, where I was promptly tempted to buy a lovely replica astrolabe - which I had to forcibly remind myself I had no need of, and the money would pay for several meals, which I will need. But I was still sorely tempted. Some habits will take a while to break, methinks.)

  I needed to learn the lessons I have here, and I'm sure some of them are still processing. But I'm ready to get back and get on with the rest of my life - and until I do, I'm just sort of in a holding pattern. It's time to move forward, and I'm actually excited to do so. And it's actually been a long time since I've felt that way.

  • 9:40 pm
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