The Next 3 Years at Kismet Cabin

I'll get back to Kismet Cabin updates in the next few weeks, but something else has happened recently that has caused me to start taking a harder look at my future.

As you may or may not have figured out, I like plans. They don't always work out and more often than not they tend to change on me. But I like the process of planning and making a list. I also tend to actually get things done when I plan. With 2015 coming to a close, quite of few of my long term goals will be met - namely finishing my Doctoral Exams and starting my Dissertation as well as the move into Kismet Cabin (all 135 square feet).

So what are my plans for the next 3 years at Kismet Cabin?

• I'll spend a year to 18 months writing my dissertation. (Jan. 2016 - May 2017)
• I'll work at my job for another 3 years (because my retirement will be vested).

Doesn't sound very exciting, does it? That's because the real question is - What do I want to do after those 3 years are up and I leave my job? The answer: I want to travel! I want to explore the United States and I think a great way to do that would to work seasonal and temporary jobs for the National Park Service. In order to do this I need to have a vehicle that will take me places and that I can live in. Also, I want to be in good physical condition to enjoy my travels and nature adventures.

So, here's my plan:

• Renovate a school bus into an RV. (This one won't start until May 2017 after my dissertation is over.)
• Get fit! (Starting Dec. 2015)

The real challenge over the next three years is getting fit. I'm setting goals for each year to keep it interesting and to keep me on track. This is going to be the hardest challenge of my life thus far, much harder than getting a Doctorate degree. School comes pretty easy for me, but fitness... not so much. I am extremely overweight.

So I'm making a plan within a plan - The 3 Year Fitness Plan

Year 1 - 2016 - Lose 150 lbs. - I'm not going to do this by myself this time. I'm hiring a personal trainer.

Year 2 - 2017 - Increase Strength & Stamina - Plan to meet some basic PT standards

Year 3 - 2018 - Certified Survival & Defense Training - Focusing on wilderness training.

I'll keep updating here once December rolls around.