Outer:
Whoa, I can’t believe the time is
finally here that I can start getting ready for New Orleans. I have never been
and I hear nothing but fantastic things about the city. Tonight, I was talking
with my father in law and he told me the number one thing I need to do in New
Orleans is EAT! He explained that my taste palate will experience spices that
will drive them crazy. I am a little concerned of this, mainly because I am a
very picky eater. However, I am still looking forward to the experience and am
willing to try new things. After having this conversation with him, I was
excited enough to start packing.
To start packing I had to channel
my inner Santa Clause. I start by making a list, and checking it twice. This
seems appropriate as the snow is falling outside with no clear end in sight. My
boyfriend (Lance) is sitting in his office listening to music. He’s trying not
to be nosey, but I know the only reason he’s in there is because it’s right off
the bedroom and he’s trying to figure out what I’m taking with me. He keeps
asking me questions about our trip and what I’m writing about in my blog.
As I look at my closet and random
things I have placed on my dresser for the trip, I decided to start with the easy
stuff, bathroom/personal hygiene needs. Shampoo and Conditioner are the first
things to go on my list. Thankfully, my stocking this year was packed full of
all the basic travel needs, so that made things pretty easy. Dove hair
products, a tiny deodorant bottle, makeup remover wipes, and dial body wash
will get me through the week in New Orleans. However, being a girl, I had to go
more in depth than that. I need to be prepared to straighten or scrunch my
hair. Moose, frizz control, and straightener are on the list. All of this gets
zipped up into my clear plastic travel bag. Next, I move onto makeup. BB cream,
nude Maybelline eyeshadow, and Maybelline mascara is all I need. These items
will go into my pink travel makeup bag and go into my carry-on bag (I don’t want
to scare my friends on the train). And of course, I cannot go anywhere without
my bath and body works lotion. Sweet pea is my staple, so it goes in my clear
zipper bag.
I save the hard part for last,
clothes. There are so many different questions running through my mind as I try
to figure out what to wear. Most important, what is the weather going to be
like? How warm do I need my clothes to be? Is it going to rain? How much
walking will I average per day? Do I have comfortable walking shoes that are
also equipped for the rain? Should I go shopping? Yes, I should definitely go
shopping… wait no I shouldn’t, the snow is really coming down now. I’m just
going to settle on my normal walking shoes. I wear them when I walk my dog in
the field in my house and the morning dew does not get my feet wet, these
should be fine. In the bag they go. Outfits seem impossible to come up with. I
want to fit in and look like a local, so I’m hesitant to pack my jeans. Just in
case there is a cold day, I pack them anyways. Every pair of LulaRoe leggings
are going with me. I found shirts to match each pair, as well as a few long
sleeve shirts just in case. My grey Columbia vest is a must have item so it
goes into the bag. Socks and underwear are not getting counted, I’m just
shoving handfuls into the side pockets of my bag. I was sitting on my bed going
over what I have so far. I feel pretty good about all the items I have so far.
Then, I hear the blustering wind outside and it sounded cold. This prompted me
to grab my favorite sweatshirt and stuff it into my bag. Finally, I throw my pajamas
into the bag. I’m not particularly fussy about my pajamas. I simply have
t-shirts that are oversized with a pair of grey shorts that I have probably had
for too long to admit.
At this point, my suitcase are pretty full. I couldn't even believe they zipped shut. Hopefully, the zippers wont rip out on the train, that would be a mess.
Trust me, he will miss me.
Inner:
Getting
ready for a trip can be stressful. There are too many “what if’s” to try to
avoid. What if I forget something? What if something happens at home and I’m
not there? What if something crazy happens in New Orleans and I’m not safe or unprepared?
This began to stress me out. However, I realized that these things could happen
anywhere. If I forget something, they have stores, I’ll be fine. Actually, Las
Vegas shooting was running through my mind. The fact of the matter is; this
could happen anywhere. What am I going to do, stay home and never leave my house
again? Not happening. Fear can something cripple us, and I’m not about to let
that happen.
I then began to realize, the thing I
am most worried about is food. I could easily be the pickiest eater of all
time. What am I going to eat in New Orleans? I’m just going to have to be a
trooper and try new things. If I really can’t stomach the food, they always
have kid’s menus. I will pack my own snacks to offset this a little bit. The
next thing I need to overcome, motion-sickness. Having never been on a train,
this makes me a little nervous. Just thinking about it makes the room feel like
it can start spinning. I’m not going to let this stop me. I have nausea bracelets
and Dramamine, I am going to be fine.
As my bags are nearly packed, I can’t
help but think that it’s crazy the time is already here. It feels like just yesterday
my friend came to me with the idea to go. I never thought our schedules would
actually work out and allow us to go. Honestly, I thought she would never want
to leave her kids for a week. Yet here I am, backs stuffed full and ready for
my week away. I hope I get to really experience culture on this trip. I have
traveled a little bit in my life, but I feel that I have always done things
that have been comfortable. I’m hoping that I get out of my comfort zone a
little bit during this trip. Actually, I have already started that part of my
journey because I am not used to blogging to share my inner thoughts.
I don’t have kids that I am leaving
behind, but I am leaving my boyfriend (Lance) and dog (Bruno). Since starting
dating four years ago, Lance and I have never been away from each other for
this long. He is my best friend and honestly keeps me sane. He can make any
situation feel like it’s a breeze and will all be ok. It will be hard for me to
leave him behind. He’s my road buddy, the person I cook dinner for, and my
walking buddy. I know he will be fine when I’m gone, but I am worried that he doesn’t
know how to use the oven or stove. I should go over that with him before I go.
Bruno is my fur baby. I got him almost
five years ago and I have never been away from him. He wakes me up every
morning at 6:30 am. He follows me around in the morning when I get ready for
school or work and always tries to go out the door with me. When I return home,
he’s right there ready for me to play. I’m going to miss his excited wiggle
butt and the way he snuggles into me when I go to bed.
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