Happy Birthday: The Year of the Passport Stamp

• By Jimmy Hoffman
• 19 July, 2013
• 1 Comment

One year ago I was lying in bed at my home in New York unable to sleep. It was 1AM and my 26^th birthday just ended. I was thinking to myself how I could top my 25^th year of existence. 25 was by far the best year of my life. I decided I would need to set a goal for myself to help my 26^th year top my 25^th. And just like that the year of the airline mile was born.

I didn’t know how I would do it, but I wanted to fly 50,000 air miles before I turned 27. Up to this point in my life I only managed to fly a total of 66,251 air miles. Could I almost match this number in 1 year? It would not be easy (or cheap), but if I could accomplish it I would be rewarded with several great experiences. I would have to travel to new and interesting places, which is what I love to do.

Flying over the Strait of Gibralter

My first trip was in October to Spain and Morocco. I met my French-Moroccan friend in Madrid and we went on our way. My second trip was in December to LA with one of my friends who is just as crazy as I am when it comes to being spontaneous. LA was interesting that’s for sure! My third trip was by myself to Singapore, Malaysia and Australia. Over the course of that trip I got my first tattoo and met some great people including one very special girl. My fourth trip was back to Singapore from Australia to see if that special girl felt the same way about me as I did her. She did! My 5^th trip was to Indonesia to meet up with my now girlfriend. My last trip was to Singapore were I have been now for exactly 2 months and 1 day. (More details on these trips in future blogs)

Over the course of these trips I forgot about my goal of 50,000 air miles. Living in the bliss of my travels I needed no goal. However, two weeks ago when I knew my 27^th birthday was right around the corner I remembered what I set out to do almost a year ago. I then started calculating the miles I flew since I turned 26. I used a helpful website called Web Flyer. Did I make the 50,000 miles? Not only did I make it, but also topped the total miles flown over the previous 25 years of my life. In my 26^th year I flew 92,578 air miles learning more about myself then I ever knew before. On a more materialistic note I also earned Premier Silver Status on United Airlines.

I now sit on a bed, not in my home in New York, but in Singapore where its 1PM. Looking back at the last year I can now say 26 was the best year of my life! I need a new goal to make my 27^th year just as memorable and exciting as my 26^th. I have decided that this year will be the year of the passport stamp! Up to this point in my life I have obtained 40 passport stamps. I will set my goal at that for year ahead!