Despite having a similar age, interests, and income as an American friend of mine, I am often reminded how much more free I am to just do stuff. Go places. Spend a bit of money on things I don’t need. Eat new foods.

Apparently I pay more taxes? So what? I pay less time.

My friend works his ass off. It doesn’t seem to get him ahead. I’ve only known him to take 2 vacations in 10 years. I phoned my boss a few weeks ago and said, “I’m going to be away for a few days. I am going hiking.” “Where are you going? Ah, excellent! Have fun!”

I think my brother and I were gone for 4.5 days.

I go somewhere every long weekend, and usually take 2–3 short vacations per year. Every few years we leave the country, usually in the depths of winter. I’ve been to 20 US states, which is apparently double the average for citizens of the USA.

My Indonesian friend asked “How can you just go around hike and stuff while I struggle with life?”

I didn’t really have an answer. I’m still thinking about that.

So I feel Luuucky. Really lucky.