Yes, I have been ‘missing in action’ from my blog for the past
month or so and I wanted to explain. I had a revelation back in December when I
sat down and thought about making a New Year’s Resolution. I don’t usually make resolutions for the new
year, but I really felt drawn to one, don’t ask me why?
One of the things I decided during this time
was that I needed to start making a little more 'me' time. With my work
schedule and the rapid growth of my companies demanding more and more of my
time, my focus, and my energy, I seemed to be having less and less time for my
personal life.
I used to be an avid traveler and loved it. I had a carry-on bag
packed and ready in my closet; I was always checking flight schedules on a
weekly basis; I was leaving at a moments notice to enjoy a new and exciting
adventure. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE WHAT I DO… what is it they say... my work is my life. But everyone needs a little bit of relaxation to renew their energy
and mental health.
Anyway… I realized “I’m not getting any younger” (none of us are,
are we?) And I know that aging can be difficult… the tricks that it can play on
our minds and bodies. I count my blessings each and every day that I am strong
and healthy, but I am coming to grips with the reality that travelling the way
I used to is going to get harder and harder the older I get. It is our life… We
have to make the time to... just
do it.
That’s when I decided on my New Year’s Resolutions for 2015.
Start
Travelling More (again)
Travelling is a passion of mine. The new adventures, the revisiting of an old
familiar places… it breathes life back into me. It makes me feel
ALIVE!
AND yes I actually created a second resolution:
Start Reading Books (again) – I used to be an
avid reader and really enjoyed getting lost in a good book. Not the digital screen
kind, the ‘old school’ kind. Spending hours in a book store looking for a source of reading,
running my finger tips over the books’ covers and pages until something called my name, taking the time to open the book and read a paragraph or two to find out if
the writer could draw me into their world… if so, SOLD - a rewarding experience was ahead of me! I will write a post
on this in the near future!
Ok, back to my explanation, upon finalizing my
New Year’s Resolutions list, I decided that I should pull the trigger and
immediately start travelling for
some much needed ‘family time’. I don’t’ live near any of my family, i.e. my
closest family member lives six hours away. Yes, for some that might be a
blessing, but for me… I am a FAMILY PERSON and therefore, the voice in my head
started screaming “Jalon, you need travel now... don't wait any longer!” So in
January, off I went to Florida
Yes, organized! I think you know me well
enough by now to know that I am a very organized person - detail oriented - … probably too organized, organized to a fault, organized
to the point of OCD. I make lists for everything; my children even laugh at me
– I stick a blank post- it up randomly just to remind me TO DO something in
that direction. Does that make sense to anyone else?
I found a marvelous checklist to help me prepare for any trip.
As a special gift to you, I'm sharing this list, including bonus
tips for international trips.
Preparing for a Trip Check List
Are you a good car traveler? There really are
people out there that don’t travel well… whether it's in a car, a plane or a
train. I travel well period. I will gladly spend hours riding in a car,
enjoying the continual scenic views, listening to my preferred selections on
Pandora, catching up on some reading a favorite book, piles of magazines or
catalogs, all knowing that there is a wonderful destination ahead! (But if
there's a choice, a plane is my go-to choice)
 |
| Who wouldn't want to travel in this? |
If Driving in your Car:
- Make sure oil is changed and
any car maintenance is done.
- Make sure up-to-date auto
insurance is in wallet and car registration stickers are on your license
plate.
- Confirm address.
- Get directions or check that
it comes up on your GPS device. This is a HUGE must for me… I have NO
sense of direction and can easily get lost in a bathroom.
- Book a hotel and confirm
check-in time.
- Put gas in the car.
- Grocery shop for snacks
and/or bottled beverages.
Packing Strategy:
Determine how much luggage space is available
if you are taking large objects and/or have many people in the car.
If Flying:
·
Book flight.
·
Book a hotel and confirm check-in time.
·
Coordinate pick up or transportation after arrival.
·
Confirm flight time.
·
Confirm when you will need to leave for the airport.
·
Get directions or check what comes up on your GPS device both to
the departure airport and from your arrival airport to your final destination.
Again, thank goodness for Google Maps!
·
Coordinate rides or look into parking options.
·
Grocery shop for snacks. If desired, bring an empty water bottle
to fill up once inside the security checkpoint.
·
Check luggage number and size (dimensions and weight) restrictions
and fees.
·
Decide whether you will check baggage.
·
Make sure you have a quart-sized Ziploc bag and three-oz. or less
size containers that fit in that bag.
·
If desired, check in 24 hours in advance. The airlines have
created the next best thing since sliced bread.
Packing Strategy:
Decide whether you will check in luggage.
Follow all airline standards for size and
weight and items you can carry on. (An easy way to check the weight is to weigh
yourself and then step on your home scale holding your bag.)
Two to Seven Days before the Trip:
·
Decide what you will want to wear and/or bring.
·
Do any last shopping: food, clothes, toiletries, items to bring on
trip.
·
Do laundry and/or dry cleaning.
One to Two Days before the Trip:
·
Check the expected weather conditions. Do you have the weather channel app on your phone yet?
·
Pack up all of the items in your bags to make sure that they will
fit inside.
·
Put liquids into a quart-size Ziploc bag.
·
Go through your purse and other carry on items to make sure that
you don't have any prohibited items (sharp objects like scissors or liquids
like lip gloss). I remove all unnecessary items from my purse as well.
Checkbook, frequent shopper cards, house/car/ office keys. Why carry all this
extra ‘weighted baggage’ around for the duration of your trip. But be careful,
remember Murphy’s Law: As sure as you remove it, you will need it. *Think it
through thoroughly.
·
Do online check in 24 hours in advance, and print out boarding
pass.
Morning of the Trip:
·
Do final packing of toiletries, food, books, etc.
·
Double check the flight status and that you have your boarding
pass and government ID (passport if you are leaving the United
States
·
Give yourself some "buffer time" so if you're running
late or hit bad traffic, you're still OK.
Packing List
Clothes: Use the weather report and any schedule events/activities
to help guide your packing. This might seem silly, but it honestly helps you
get organized and helps you wrap your head around what you are preparing to do.
·
Pants, shorts, dresses and/or skirts
·
Shirts, including one that would be nice for an evening event
·
Sweatshirts or jackets
·
Underclothes, socks, nylons
·
Pajamas
·
Work out clothes
·
Shoes: dress shoes, workout shoes, informal shoes
·
Swim suit and cover up (and if necessary, towel and goggles)
·
Accessories: scarves, hats, gloves, jewelry and watch
·
Plastic bag for dirty clothes
Toiletries:
·
Floss, tooth brush, tooth paste, mouth wash, skin care,
moisturizer, deodorant, glasses, contacts, contact case, contact solution and
perfume
·
Hair brush, curling irons, flat irons, gel, hairspray
·
Makeup
·
Vitamins and/or medicine
If not staying at a hotel or have a particular preference:
·
Soap, shampoo, conditioner, razor, shaving cream, face wash,
blow-dryer
Miscellaneous:
· Wallet and government ID
· Cell phone
· Camera if not using your phone
(including extra battery and if applicable, device to upload photos to the
computer)
· Calendar/planner/notepad
· Books or other reading material
· Snacks or necessary foods
· All chargers for phones, computers,
cameras, other electronic devices
· Print outs of insurance policies and
all other travel documents
· Umbrella, boots, hats, gloves, scarves,
sunscreen, etc. (depending on the weather)
· Computer
· Pens, paper, stamps
· Emergency contact numbers and addresses
· Any school work or other work materials
· Gifts and thank you cards for anyone
who is hosting you
I have an international trip on my 2015
agenda! (more on that later in the year)
BONUS: International Travel:
·
Exchange money if the exchange rate is better now and expected to
go up
·
Double check passport is up to date & visa
·
Tell credit card company that I will be abroad – believe it or
not, they do check and can sometimes freeze your spending
·
Cell phone, calling card rates
·
Access code for the country
·
Give contact info to someone before you leave
·
Check on immunizations, medicine and food precautions
·
Ask about local customs in terms of acceptable/unacceptable dress
and activities. These still do exist
·
Ask about converters for electronics-voltage and/or plugs. Most
likely these are not needed unless you are staying in a small town or private
residence
·
If you feel comfortable in this, buy travel insurance &
emergency medical insurance. I don’t do this.
·
Check that your carry-on items are allowed in each airport where
you need to take a flight. (Restrictions can be different for different
countries.)
I hope this list helps you to have a happy and
stress-free trip.
Have you figured
out where my international trip destination is yet?
