Working into the ground.

Well I realised that I worked sixty four hours last week if you include all the paid babysitting hours. And what with insomnia starting to bite me in the bum (we're talking going to bed at 12, waking up at 3), I don't feel so well. My body's starting to react, and so I'm always suffering from an upset stomach or throbbing headache, which can't be healthy.

It's somewhat fanatical to be this concentrated on one thing, and a little obsessed; but I feel all-consumed to do this by December, even if it means working myself into the ground.

On a plus note, I'll be buying my plane tickets in six days!!!! Holy hell I'm so excited!!!

Holidays

are now officially official! I can take the first week in January off, so my time is booked off, I just need to save up enough to buy the tickets now. I'm babysitting my ass off and I've been so tired and ratty, but hey; it'll all be worth it in the long run.

I hope hope hope I can afford it come next payday. It'll be a scrimpy month to say the least though.

Holy hell it's seems so close but so far away!!!

Dead tired...

...but still going strong! turns out this babysitting job is turning out to be quite the money-maker, as I may be working over bank holiday for the whole afternoon instead of a couple of hours. My eyes lit up when I heard that.

In other bad news, my graduate bank account (which had £1,000-free overdraft limit) has now been replaced by a crappy "go-over-and-get-shot" kind of overdraft. Which has put a dampener on my plans a little. If I can't afford them next payday, there's always the day after next. I've also asked for nothing but money for Christmas and birthday, which will be a huge help.

I've got months yet, but I'm so incredibly excited and nervous at the same time!

Next payday...

...I plan to buy my plane ticket. I'm a little nervous over buying them online, but I should be flying with Delta, whom I've heard of and Lonely Planet mention; which puts my mind at ease somewhat.

I also got paid for the first week of babysitting, which was a nice bonus in my backpocket; and all goes into the Canada fund. Fingers crossed I should be able to afford it in 2 weeks, which will make September a very scrimpy month indeed. I just want that confirmation that I'm actually going: I can't believe how excited I am to be travelling to a frozen tundra over the christmas period. I hate the cold so much - but hey, we all have our reasons, however crazy they might be. I'd better keep my fingers crossed for good flying conditions on the way there.

Also, I decided what coats to bring, which officially makes me sad, considering I got another 4 months to decide that.

new 'do.

Had a look at plane tickets again, but didn't get round to talking to work about taking time off at the start of next year for my trip. Looks like it's going to be a long wait in Minnesota airport coming back from Winnipeg, as the best prices involve waiting for around eight hours.

In other news, I'm currently babysitting everyday for three hours a throw, so little by little the money's starting to add up, and it pleases me; even if I'm totally knackered by the end of it and sometimes it's hard work.

However, I'm getting my hair all done nice today, so I'll bet you I'll walk out of the salon a dead ringer of Ellen Page.

It's soo early days, but already I'm deciding what coat to take, since it will be freezing cold. I'm thinking my army coat that's lined, or my bright blue duffel coat...

Exhaustion

...and it's only the first proper day! The little kid I'm sitting is great though, and very easy going. Our mother's tongue is different to each other, but we communicate through gesture and pidgin english. He's great :)

It'll only be for a few weeks at most, and I'm loving the fact that every hour I spend with her lovely son, it puts a little more money into the Canada fund.

I've started asking around for donations in the form of christmas and birthday presents. If I make it to Canada on December the 28th, I'll be one of the happiest people in the world.

Paying my way

OK so I took on a new temporary job babysitting for a month or so to help me pay for my ticket, and whilst he's a great kid, I realise that three hours babysitting after work is probably going to kill me physically; not to mention a few hours at the weekend too.

I have to keep pushing though, and reminding myself that I'm doing this to buy my ticket earlier (December rather than April is the new target).

The thing that makes me worried now is the weather in Winnipeg. I heard it gets as low as minus 40, without wind on top of that... Holy hell that's gonna be so cold!

When a plan becomes something that could actually work.

OK, so I've been planning this trip for a few weeks now, but it was only today that it really became something more than a plan; and more of a reality. I believe the major issues stopping me is time, money and my nerves to travel solo halfway across the world, most likely changing planes in American airspace, which I hate.


Let me take you back to the beginning:

I have a very dear friend in Canada whom I would very much like to see, and only recently did I start to think "why don't I just hop on a plane?". This plan turned to browsing for cheap flights, to bagging a babysitting job on top of my day job that pays very well. So suddenly it was looking like I'd be able to afford a flight sometime in the new year; maybe even at Christmas - if I can withstand the crazy-cold temperature of Winnipeg in December...

This will be a whole new chapter in my life. Until this epiphany I never travelled further than Norwich by train on my own. So to sort the entire trip out by myself, including plane tickets; visa; travel insurance; accomodation... the list is endless.

But I thought to myself. I've only got one chance at this life. Why the hell should I stay in Sheffield and stagnate into forgotten realms? I feel I should try and put some effort into making my life as happy as possible, and only I can put steps into action to make that happen.

I won't say that I haven't thought of moving to Canada permanently: it's a beautiful country with so many opportunities waiting for me. I can't wait to finally see it.