I guess every start of the year brings out the optimist in most of us…so here I am with a plan!
I am not really the sort of person who formulate plans or even write them down (I normally only take mental note of things I want to do, hence I easily forget). Looking back, however, I feel that I have not done much the past three months of travel. Hence, 10 days into the new year, I started mapping my three-year plan (quite a big step from not having any!!!).
Got the idea to do my own digital vision board after reading a blog post by the Sole Sisters. I actually did a three-year plan using the free mind map software, and you can view it here if you like. It is a bit more comprehensive, with more details about countries I want to travel in the next few years, and things I want to do for my own personal development. I had fun doing it, seeing what I wanted to do in words and pictures is quite encouraging. There are so many things I want to do and 3 years might not be enough to do them all!
While the collage above shows a few places I would like to see, it also highlights certain things I would really love to do:
Focus
This is mainly work-related. Lately I have observed that my mind tends to wander a lot and I am easily distracted. I wonder if this is brought about by too much multitasking? I find that it is now quite a challenge for me to finish a task without doing something different at the same time. I want to do something about it, as it gets frustrating when things to-do pile up, and I can’t seem to have enough time to do everything! We’ll see if I can…
Yoga
While I am sure yoga has a lot of health benefits, I must admit that I am really only gunning for increased flexibility. Mainly because I plan to learn Latin dances and I want to be able to do the leg lifting, splits (Haha) and all that half-body bending!
Latin Dances
Dancing is one of the things I absolutely love doing and my ultimate dream is to actually learn Latin dances in Central/South America!
Swim/Tread
For a girl who grew up in an archipelago, it may come as a surprise to most people to know that I cannot swim (I did manage to enroll myself in a five-day swim class last year, but unfortunately, I did not learn much). I do know how to float and do a few laps, but I get scared when I am out in the ocean or when the water becomes too deep. I did make an attempt last year, so hopefully this year, I’d be successful! 
Scuba Dive
After snorkeling in beautiful Palawan a year and a half ago (I was the only one who had a life jacket on, everyone knew how to swim!), I really want to see more of the ocean. Hopefully, I get to do this after I learn to tread in water!
El Nido, Palawan
Running
One of my closest friends started joining marathons last year and has repeatedly encouraged me to join (we used to jog a few times in the University together). While I would always tell her yes, I never really got around to doing it (surprise, surprise!!!). I hope I can do it this year, but if not, I should really stick to my regular jogging schedule. It is about time to get my lazy ass moving!
And as I try to do all of these, I plan to explore a few countries as well (didn’t I just say I am a multitasker?) This year, I plan to spend more time in Thailand, maybe stay a few weeks in Bali, Indonesia; Vietnam and China. Also probably stay a month in India (especially now that Philippine passport holders can get a 30-day visa-on-arrival, yey!). I’d love to go to Turkey, too!
I definitely want to learn Spanish and Italian, so Spain and Italy are on the list. So are the South American/Central American countries (I need to identify which countries, though). I want to go biking in Denmark. I plan to walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela.
And finally, I will be in Brazil by 2014 to fulfill another ultimate dream: to watch the World Cup in a football-crazy country!
So, that is my three-year plan. Hopefully I get to do most of the things on my list, if not all.
What about you, what’s your plan?
you will LOVE scuba. It is so amazing down there. Am off in a few months to get my dive master at Dahab on the Red Sea — come on over and learn!
I cannot wait to learn!
Oh, and I just checked out Dahab and it looks fantastic!
It seems that my vision board/mind map needs a little modification.
oooh Red Sea…
To quote another travel blogger, Andrea Perullo from http://mybeautifuladventures.com, “exploring life and the world one beautiful adventure at a time… ☮♥☺” You have a great master plan hatched up there and hope it all works out for you. Do keep in mind the Latin proverb, “It’s an ill plan that cannot be changed” since life has its ways of throwing in a ringer or two once in a while
Cheers, Ray
I read her blog, too!
Thanks Ray, I do hope it works out, too. I have the tendency to procrastinate though!
That’s the first time I have heard of that proverb and thank you for sharing it. Will definitely keep that in mind. Cheers!
Awesome Cristine!
It’s always good to put everything on paper/screen as it’ll help you stay more focused and serves as a reminder all the time.
I plan to get published, work on personal documentaries and finally make a living out of photography.
I also plan to learn basic Thai and speak Italian too (that would be my 7th language, woooo!).
Good luck!
Thanks Dan!
Yeah, I haven’t written my plans before as I am kind of lazy, haha. But I’m trying to change now.
Those are wonderful and exciting plans! And 7th language…you are my idol!!!
Sounds like a solid plan! Good luck Tinnie!
I tried, hehe! Thank you Nina!
“but I get scared when I am out in the ocean or when the water becomes too deep…” – same herrre! for me, partly because i almost drowned when i was young. the scene haunts me every time i’m in the water.
good luck on your goals! i wanna go to brazil too!!!
Oh me, too! Can still remember that time, was too young then, but still affects me til now. I hope to overcome that fear!
Thank you!
Let’s go!
It’s now easier to go to brazil ,i’ve heard Qatar airways has now a flight that has a different route which means you no longer need to apply for a transit visa for a european country.good luck sa plans mo.
Thank you for the info! This sounds great.