One Month Left!

Alrighty everyone, I have about a month before I set out on my journey. I've got a lot of things to gather up before then, so I'll just make sure to get something sorted out on here. I suppose I should make some sort of schedule for myself so that way I can get things figured out. These things aren't definitely set in stone, but I do need to get some things out of my head and placed somewhere so that way I can have it mapped out somewhat.


First thing, I need to sort what I'm taking with me from what I can sell. Once I get that, I can decide what to keep and what needs a drastic upgrade (like my laptop). After that is sorted, I can get the equipment I need. I admit I'm planning on having a lot of things before I actually start traveling, but this may not be practical. So instead, I think I may just try to do some things like taking donations of both funds and the materials I'll be needing. After all, my family is below the poverty line and I can't ask any money from them. I'm also kinda low on funds myself, so in order to get what I want, I must sell a lot of things I currently own. I won't sell everything, just things that are no longer needed.

Because this trip will last awhile, I'll need to probably pack two bags. One bag is for technology and miscellaneous items. My camera, laptop, e-reader, as well as a spare set of clothes, and various emergency items will go in that. That bag will not be leaving my side, as it will have the most valuable things in it. The other bag is my "overnight" bag. It will have a few more sets of clothes, contain a couple of my more fragile crystals, and anything that isn't needed right with me at all times.

Because of the very nature of this trip, I must figure out how I'll be sleeping/traveling from the get-go. Now, there is the possibility that I may be traveling with a couple people, but I've yet to officially sort that out. The main plan is to travel with a woman and her children, and luckily schooling them won't be a problem because they're home schooled. A couple others may be joining us, and then we'll be meeting up with a group in New York, at the Ashram in Walden (http://www.shantimandir.com/en/ashrams/walden/). Though I doubt we'll be staying there, I think we can find other lodging accommodations, if not camping. It'll be around summer so camping shouldn't be too bad (unless it rains).

I don't know how long I'll be traveling in that group, but I do believe it won't last forever, so I may have to find another, more permanent means of transportation. While I'm at home for the month of May, I think I'll study up on getting a driver's permit. When I have that, I can start driving, and while I'm traveling with others I can learn first-hand how to drive. Once I get all of that for three months or so, I can officially go about getting my drivers license. I'll have to get it in Indiana, otherwise there could be problems, but I think that can work out just fine.

The biggest snag I can foresee is around January. It will be hard for me to start paying off my student loans by then because the grace period will have ended. I'll have to figure out how much the payments will be as well, but it will probably be around $200, maybe as much as $300 per month. If that is the case, I'll really have to be able to figure out money arrangements so that I don't go into default. The other side of this, is my phone bill. This entire time, it will cost $80 in order to pay it per month. Keep in mind this is not travel expenses but will have to be paid regardless. So I'll have to figure that out before I go too far away from home.

So, with all of this in mind, I'm going to look through my list of things to pack and edit it. Here's my revisions:

• My crystals (selenite wand, selenite sphere, and many other various crystals)
• A laptop of some sort (could be my current one or a new one, personally hoping for a new one considering this one is over two years old)
• A tablet of some sort (I'm honestly hoping for the kind I can just draw on so that it's easier to take notes)
• My cellphone (I just hope I can afford the $80 per month it takes to pay for it)
• Pen, pencil, and paper. Lots of paper.
• Keys (to my house, my workplace, etc) and that's just in case I stop by for a few things, which is unlikely, but...it's necessary.
• At least two full sets of clothes to change into (including shirts, socks, underwear, pants, etc). One set of clothes will be casual (in addition to what I'll be wearing) and the other will be formal (a polo shirt and maybe khaki pants). And yes, I'll have a nice pair of shoes to go with the formal clothes.
• Food rations (most likely beef jerky and water)
• Camera/Recorder (I'll need to record some things in order to show you guys!)
• Solar-powered chargers (I'll DEFINITELY need things like this in order to keep my things charged on the go. Something that can charge a laptop and camera at once would be amazing)
• Toiletries (shampoo, soap, etc).
• My wallet (it keeps things like my State ID and other important things. Oh, and ways of buying things).
• Square card reader. I hook it up to my phone and can accept donations vis credit/debit cards. Or sell things as well.
• Tent (I don't know if I'll be providing this or not, but it never hurts to have one anyway just in case)
• Map and compass (I have my phone, but sometimes it'll be easier to not use my phone...like, if I'm afraid of draining my battery)
• Sun screen. Because I burn horribly.
• Flashlight! You never know when you'll need another light!
• First aid kit (That's obvious)
• Ways of making fire (also obvious)
• Things to repair other things (I'm not for sure what that will include, but I'll figure it out somehow)
• A couple knives (never know when something will need to be cut, and more than one in case one breaks)
• E-reader. I may have something I need to read and to conserve power it's easier to use that instead of a computer.
• PSP. No, not for games, but to play music.
• Headphones/earphones. In case I want to meditate and not be distracted.
• Space blanket/pillow

Key: Requires money or donation of item | I plan to acquire myself | Already acquired

If there's anything else, I can't think of it yet but I'll definitely be adding to this list with anything absolutely necessary. I can't think of anything else at this moment...but as far as what I'll be selling to offset the costs of my trip, here's what I'm most likely to sell:

• My desktop computer. Not sure if I'll sell it in pieces or as a whole just yet.
• Magic: The Gathering cards. I have hundreds, so I may end up selling them for 75¢ a piece. Maybe less, if I'm forced.
• Old school books. Probably can't get much for them, but I'll try to sell them anyway.
• My laptop, if I can get a new one somehow.

This list is nowhere near complete, as I have to actually go home and take inventory of what I have. However, I do hope to be able to obtain some money for my things.

So...that's all I can think of right now. If there's anything to add, I'll probably wait until another time to post it. Oh, and finals are this week! I'll be back home in Indianapolis by Friday!