All right, this will be another quick blog I'll make on another decision I have. Last year I didn't really get the paid vacation because I was a new employee just starting. This year, I started off with two weeks paid vacation and got another week added on mid-way through the year. I have only missed three days of work (where I used vacation) because of us getting hit by a huge snowstorm (no way I was driving to work in 20+ inches of snow) and had to take two days off due to my sister's wedding. I used a few hours of vacation here and there because of Holiday's (I work 9 hour days most of the week to get every other Friday off, and since Holiday's only give us 8 hours, I just used 1 hour of vacation to make it up) and because of the PS Move event (where I took off of work early). Outside of that, I pretty much have just over 2 weeks of vacation left (two of the days I gotta save for the end of the year).

The big question is what to do with my vacation? There's no doubt I gotta use all my vacation by the end of the year or lose it. I have yet to use any sick days of work (that's something different), but that's because I rarely if ever get sick. Basically, I'm at work pretty much everyday and barely miss. I feel its my duty to be at work every single day, whether or not I really want to be at work (because I'm responsible). Also, I tend to not want to miss many days in a row because I fear getting behind on what's going on (one reason I never missed college classes). People would think I really need to use vacation because I work a little more than every other weekend (many times Saturday and Sunday, sometimes just Saturday). I even decided to go into work on Labor Day.

I thought about taking an entire week to travel somewhere, but where? I was originally looking to travel to various theme parks around the country this summer, but now it doesn't seem likely because most are nearing closing time. I could go back home and visit my parents, but I last did that in July and honestly don't feel like going back (I rather stay where I'm at living on my own anyway). I'm considering making a trip to New York Anime Festival in October, but since I already went to Otakon (which is larger and close to me), not too sure about it. I honestly can't think of many places to travel, and can't say I want to leave the county anywhere (getting a passport would be annoying). The only issue I have with traveling is money. Traveling places isn't cheap, because you have plane ticket, rental car (if needed), hotel rooms are crazy expensive (although I barely know what they cost), and you gotta eat out every day. While traveling would give me more PSP time, in ways there's plenty to do where I live now.

Otherwise, I can just take random days off to relax and do my normal activities such as play games, sleep in a little (my sleeping in is called sleeping until 6-7am). I could use more time to do stuff, but usually I just do my activities after work (even if little time) or whenever I'm off from work. But it seems like my off days is when I do major grocery shopping, looking around malls, getting my car oil changed, or other errands. But then again, that's the life of an adult, never fun and usually busy.

I mostly saved vacation days because I worried about needing them in case of an emergency, like if a relative dies (not immediate family member which I do get paid for) or something happens to me (or there's something I really need to attend, such as the surprise PS event).

Regardless I'll ask, anyone do anything fun/interesting during paid vacations from work (or time you took off from school to do something)? Just kind of getting items because all I can usually think of is play games, watch anime.