New plans!

It's funny how things work themselves out -- or not so much work themselves out as turn around from one of the worst things that's happened to one of the best. A couple of weeks ago, I was told that my job offer from the wire service was rescinded. Last week, that was confirmed. I was very upset -- as it was obvious from my last post. It would have been one thing if I hadn't gotten it in the first place -- but the fall from the elation of being about to start the perfect job to losing it before I even got there was hard.

But, as I scrambled to find other options, at the back of my mind, a question lingered: what would I do with myself for four months next year, between when my current visa expires, and my next one will (hopefully) start. I voiced this concern to Caveboy, whose response was "Do what I did. Go to Guatemala. Learn Spanish. . . or Arabic!"

And I realized that of course I could! I've gotten so used to the idea of not being able to leave that it didn't occur to me that next summer, I will be able to. I could go anywhere! Do anything! The world would be my oyster! I've been kicking myself for not traveling more when I was in London, and complaining that I can't go anywhere now. And four months with nothing to do would be the perfect opportunity to do so! So I've been thinking and planning and researching and have come up with a tentative plan:

Here it is: a month in Beirut, taking intensive Arabic classes, and traveling around the country and Middle East on weekends(specific destinations to be decided based on situation at that time). Another month in Cairo, on a more advanced Arabic class with weekend trips to other parts of Egypt, and Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. Then the third month in France -- not Paris, although it will include a visit there -- taking intensive French classes, and traveling around Europe. Then a week in London, before returning to Sri Lanka before coming back (hopefully) to the U.S.

And throughout this time, I'll write freelance stories and sell them to publications. And write a book!

Yes yes. I know, I'm dreaming -- there's visas to be gotten and budgets to be made, and money to be saved. But I've always told myself that when it comes to spending on myself, traveling and education are the two things I won't scrimp on. So I'll dream away for now, and hope that it will all happen. After all, when will I ever have four months to myself again?