It's about that time...

Did you miss me? I've been home in Philly for just about 3.5 weeks doing all the things you do in Philly in the summer sweating, drinking, sweating, complaining about the humidity, eating amazing food, catching up with friends, and, oh yes...sweating. I worked as an administrative assistant for my friend Susan's office for a little over 1 week and was told that I am fabulous at it and have a "very sweet phone voice." Perhaps I have a career in reception...or telephone sex? I even got to take a weekend trip to NYC to see Rock the Bells and fulfilled my 15 year dream of seeing Lauryn Hill in concert.

When I haven't been busy running around, working, yoga-ing, and trying to tame my jew-fro (yeah, we're in the awkward growing out phase right now) I have been thinking a lot about where I'm going with my life when I get back to the states in November. The part of me that is goal oriented and career driven wants to get "the job" (despite the fact that I applied for many "the jobs" while in Europe and didn't even snag an interview). I'm also applying for LLM programs in Human Rights over in Europe to see if I can find that little bit extra that might get me "the job." But then there is a part of me that thinks it might be ok to admit that I wonder if I'd be happier doing something like teaching English abroad. I guess I just feel like I have too many options and none at the same time with a side of some complicating factors.

My goal: let this go for a bit in NZ and Australia and hope things fall into place as they should.

So, it's time to pick this blog up again because in less than 1 week I will be taking off with my brother Evan for 10 weeks in New Zealand and Australia. We haven't done much planning (my brother says we will have plenty of time to talk this weekend and on our 20-something hour flight) and I'm not exactly sure what or how to pack BUT we are very excited.

This trip will involve cooler temperatures than my European adventure (it's springtime down there) and therefore bulkier clothing...you'd be amazed how much space sleeves on shirts take up as opposed to tank-tops thus leading to my packing dilemma and the fact that my backpack will not be approved carry-on size. At least Rollie is trying to help me out.



This trip will also involve Evan and I most likely renting a "wicked camper" thanks to a tip from an Australian I met in Valencia and roadtripping around. Other than some brief family vacations over the past few years as "adults" the majority of the roadtrips Evan and I have been on together went like this:

Me: Mom! Evan's touching me!
Evan: No I'm not. Mom! Heather's looking at me!
Me: Stop touching me!
Evan Stop looking at me!
Me: Owwwwww! Mom! Evan's pinching me!
Evan: No I'm not! *makes evil face* *digs fingernails into my arm*

So...let's hope we get along better than that.

I'm also pretty sure that I'm about to get roped into all sorts of "adventure sports" as they're called. I have already decided that I will skydive if asked but I will not bungee jump. I can't wait to hike and kayak and SCUBA dive and whatever else we manage to get ourselves into. Evan challenged me when we initially started discussing this trip that I couldn't keep up with him. Challenge accepted. Mom and Dad are paying for the travel insurance so what's the worst that can happen?