Big Update!

Hey folks,

Shana tova to everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the slew of 3-day chags and are on the road to recovery. The high holidays for me were mostly lackluster as expected. Being away from family during this time is never desired, but what can ya do! I had to make do with great and warm families taking me in for most meals, while I was fortunate to host a bunch of friends for the pre-fast shabbat dinner.

Well on to the bigger highlights of this post. I ran my first timed half marathon two weeks ago! It for sure was not my personal best, but I can always blame it on the fact that Yom Kippur was the previous day, right? :) The course was a tourist's dream: starting on the harbour bridge, looping through the rocks (the first colonial settlement in Australia), peaking in Darling Harbour and finally finishing at the Sydney Opera house. I feel very accomplished but am certainly looking forward to the next challenge! (any ideas??)

I tried to keep this as quiet as possible but two weeks ago I completed my tenure here in Sydney with the Advisory Board. As 6 months was the intended amount of time to spend here for the company, I decided that half a year was not nearly enough and decided to quit, stay, and travel for a few months before figuring out my next step. The split was completely amicable and no bridges were burned- in fact my boss still calls me from time to time to discuss funny business stories since I have left. I have spent my free time tutoring, nannying, and volunteering for this great organization. One thing I have learned from this new found freedom is that I am quite restless. Who knew??! Good thing I have a big trip to prepare for!

My travels include the following loose itinerary. A good friend of mine will surely cringe at how oragnized I am trying to be (if she even reads this?!) but I am sure things are bound to change day by day. If you are in the neighborhood let's meet up!

Oct 10- Volunteering on an organic farm/school in northern Thailand
Oct 20- Laos
Oct 27- Meeting my friend Ildi in Cambodia
Nov 1- Touring eastern and central Malaysia with Ildi
Nov 10- Travel overland to southern Thailand to teach Thai kids English with my friend from GW
Nov 17- Reuniting with Mara and spending time in Phuket and Bangkok, Thailand
Nov 25- Off to Hong Kong and Shenzin, China
Nov 30- Travel New Zealand overland from north to south
Dec 11- Sydney!!
Dec 15- back to Atlanta :) :(

Again, happy new year. May this year be blessed with only happiness, success, and malaria-free mosquitoes!