About Living the Dream, a Trip of a Lifetime

Welcome to Living the Dream! This is the first of many entries detailing the meticulous planning and execution of my dream to travel around the world for up to one years time. All aspects of planning and executing this type of travel will be detailed for those planning their own trip.

If you have ever said "I wish I could do that, but..." then this blog is for you! Since this is the first entry into my journey, I believe background information as to why I chose to pursue this endeavor is the most logical first post topic.

What is Living the Dream?
Living the Dream was inspired based on my backpacking around Europe in May 2008. One person I ended up traveling with had been living abroad for months prior to traveling and was going to travel for as many months after that his money would take him. Whenever he described it he would say "Living the Dream." After about a week of travels he had everyone doing it whenever we had a moment that surpassed anything we could get at home. As you can imagine, we said that phrase a lot.

While initially planning for this trip I came across many travel blogs dedicated to RTW travel, however none had every bit of information I was looking for. For the purposes of this blog, I am detailing my journey in every facet in order to convince the leery and aid those planning their own round the world experience.
(Photo: Mountain Biking in Austria - May 2008)



Who is Behind Living the Dream?
My name is Jeremy and I am a Chemical Engineering graduate student in Dayton, Ohio. I do research on alternative fuel production, take classes full time, and am a teaching assistant for the undergraduate Chemical Engineering department part-time. I have a passion for traveling that is only rivaled by newest hobby of photography. At the time of this post in late 2008, I have been to 16 countries with 2 more planned for 2009. They are as follows: USA, Canada, Bahamas, Mexico, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, England, Belgium (in transit), Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Italy, Vatican City, Switzerland, France, Egypt (2009), Jordan (2009). I take photos of anything and everything which most people have described as excessive - until they see the results. I am likely carrying my 8.1 MP Nikon P4 point and shoot anywhere I go and bring out my Nikon D80 SLR for major events. I keep a less detailed blog of my travels (starting with my European Adventure this past May) on my travelpod blog.
(Photo: Me in a Bavarian Beerhall in Munich, Germany - May 2008)

During graduate school I will be working up to 70 hour weeks and if this trend continues the last thing I will want to do is more engineering work when I graduate. As a result, the decision to undertake this adventure was made very quickly.

When is the Adventure?
I am planning on beginning travels around mid-August 2010 when I finish my graduate research. It is possible that I may be finished with graduate research in May 2010, however the 4 month difference will not change the itinerary as much if worst comes to worst and will be tackled when the time comes. For the time being I hope to update this site at least twice a month during pre-planning, with increased posts once details and funding gets somewhat finalized. This far in advance the only planning can be on theoretical funds based on current conditions which means that time gone, itinerary, and beginning date are subject to change at a moments notice.
(Photo: The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France - May 2008)


Why Live the Dream?
Why not! I have had too many people tell me their regrets and things they wished they would have done when they were younger. Taking their advice I vowed to have no regrets in my life in the choices that I made. The common phrase I see on RTW blogs applies: When I am on my death bed I want to look back at my life and say I did it all and have no regrets. The biggest deterrents I see for people not undertaking this type of path is the fear of not finding a job when they get back or being set back in their career. Unfortunately that is the risk everyone must take when leaving for an extended period. Many people take this journey and start a job up without trouble and can become just as successful as those who did not. What you do to earn money, that is just a job. What you do for yourself and others, that is what defines you.
(Photo: Atop Jungfraujoch in Lauterbrunnen Switzerland - May 2008)

So sit back and follow one students attempt of the unimaginable. An attempt, that for so many may seem out of reach. An attempt to find a sense of purpose, serenity, and perspective on the world while having a crazy good time. An attempt to live the dream.

Let the adventure begin...