Monthly Archives: January 2015

Cold toes, warm heart

Cold toes, warm heart

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It has been 3 1/2 of braving frigid temperatures while creating warm memories. This is the third time I’ve visited my home state of Connecticut since I moved to San Francisco over 3 years ago. It is the first time … Continue reading →

Confessions of an over packer

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I tend to be an over packer. I like to bring every amenity I might like to use while traveling and an outfit for every occasion. I left San Francisco with a giant red suitcase almost at weight capacity, a stuffed 45 liter pack and a backpack. Determined to be able to truthfully state that I ‘backpacked through Europe’… I had to figure out a way to downsize my life and my work (mobile office) into 2 carry-ons. Oy! I began by placing everything I wanted to take on the bed and what I knew could be left behind in the red suitcase at my mom’s house. I painstakingly mulled over the pile a few times… making several passes at what was strewn before me… hmming and hawing then bringing in a good friend for a second opinion to really draw the line between was wanted and what was needed. The main criteria was for each item to have a multipurpose or be super necessary. I packed my life into my 45 liter pack from Costco and my work into a school size back pack. Surprisingly, only each pack is 1/2 full which leaves plenty of room for the trinkets and presents I’ll pick up along the way. Not bad at all for an over-packer (and over-thinker!)!

in 45 liter pack:
-1 pair of stylish boots (for daily wear)
-1 pair of sneakers (for exercise & walking around)
-1 pair of black flip flops (for dresses, warmer weather & showers)
-2 dresses (1 casual & 1 fancy)
-1 thin, stylish hoodie
-1 nice, outerwear jacket
-1 cute cardigan sweater
-1 fashion scarf
-1 pair of jeans
-1 pair of jeggings (for traveling + sleeping)
-1 pair of shorts (for hot weather or running)
-1 pair of capri pants (for running or sleeping)
-1 fancy tank top
-2 tanks tops / under shirts
-1 long sleeve shirt
-2 blouses (for evening)
-3 cotton blouses (for day)
-2 cotton t-shirts (for relaxing, sleeping or exercising)
-1 workout tank top
-1 sports bra
-1 tan bra
-1 bathing suit
-1 camping towel (for the beach and showering)
-21 pairs of underwear
-14 pairs of socks
-1 reusable shopping bag for dirty laundry
-1 toiletry bag containing: deodorant, a razor with extra blades, shampoo, facewash, lotion, toothpaste, toothbrush, floss, QTips, tampons, nail file, prescribed anti-anxiety medication, comb, extra hair elastics, a headbands, bobby pins, makeup and some jewelry

in backpack (also to use in smaller day trips while traveling):
-purse (containing ID, passport, hand sanitizer, sunglasses + wallet)
-computer + charger
-iPad
-phone + charger
-wall outlet adapter
-headphones
-sweet leather fanny pack (to make touring easier)
-leather journal
-hello / goodbye book for memories + notes from people I meet along my journey
-blank watercolor postcard
-watercolor travel kit
-1 reusable plastic water bottle

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Working in the future

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Many people are curious as to how I can afford 6 months of traveling. The truth is… I can’t. BUT I am fortunate to work for a company that is ‘cloud based’, meaning I can technically work from anywhere so long as I have internet access. We have no central office, but the majority of my co-workers are based in the Bay Area. So, I will be working while I am traveling. Luckily, I am a bit of a work-a-holic and haven’t taken a full vacation in almost two years so I have about a month of time saved up. I will only be staying in hostels or places that have WiFi and will be taking long weekends or early days here and there (definitely planning to take a week off in Italy!). I had to create a REALLY thorough travel plan (a google doc actually, being the OCD Virgo that I am) detailing timezones and schedules to ensure I am as available as possible to my co-workers and clients in Pacific time. Even though Australia is almost a full day ahead, I’ll actually be able to work a somewhat normal schedule there (8am – 5pm). I had to take a vacation day on every Friday that I am ‘down under’ since Friday in California would actually be Saturday in Australia (and “I don’t roll on Shabbos!”). Europe will prove to be a bit more difficult as it’s 8-9 hours ahead depending on the country. This means I’ll need to work from 1pm to 10pm. On the bright side, I will have the morning free and I know most of the nightlife doesn’t begin until late anyway.

I’ll be honest, it’s a difficult mindset to be working in a separate timezone. Since December 7th, I’ve been working in the Eastern time and just the three hour difference has proven interesting! I’ve worked late nights before, but doing so on a consistent basis so that I am available in the Pacific work day is going to certainly require some shifting in my brain and routine. I’m grateful to have co-workers who have not only been supportive and encouraging but are also being flexible in their schedules so that I won’t have to attend any 4am conference calls!  It will probably be the craziest four months of my life (and most of the time I will probably forget where I am in time and space), but I already know it will be worth the hectic and sometimes maddening moments or exhausting days!

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Well, the weather outside is weather

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The international portion of my trip has been delayed. I was supposed to leave from JFK this morning at 8:30am but instead I am relishing in the few extra days I get to spend with family and friends. I was able to switch the flight (at not cost) to leave on Thursday instead. It also allowed for me to save a vacation day by working on the day I was set to be traveling! And I enjoyed chatting with the customer service representative from British Airways as she updated my flight ‘shed-yule’.

Always look for the silver lining, right?

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Game on

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My epic preparation to do list is complete! All of my ducks are in a row for my departure on January 27th and I’m ready to begin to the travel planning for Europe. Any and all recommendations or words of advice are welcome!

Travel tip for fellow work-cationers (those with mobile offices that are traveling): I also switched from Verizon to TMobile because they offer free data and texting while traveling internationally. Calling is free when connected to Wifi or $0.20 / minute otherwise. I am thrilled to have discovered this in my research as it will be great to keep my current phone number for work accessibility to my clients and co-workers.

It seems as if the stars just keep aligning on this journey! There are two weeks left before departure and I can breathe a bit knowing that I am as ready as I’ll ever be.

Motor City

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I’m grateful that time seemed to pass at exactly the right speed this week. I flew into Detroit last Sunday to ring in the New Year with my sweetheart. I had my first ‘meet the family’ experience and spent time with Jon’s friends, all of which are amazing people. It was nice to see where he comes from – what has shaped the man he is. It was a bittersweet week, we made the most of every moment but there was this part of me that couldn’t stop worrying about the inevitable separation. I know that this is the right decision for me and that if it’s it is meant to be (and I hope it is), it will be. But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t hurt like hell! Especially for a Type A planner like myself – I don’t fair well when I don’t know all the answers. Regardless of the emotions and thoughts flying through my brain, we really did have a lot of fun this week and as hard as it was to say goodbye, I am hopeful.

Top 5 favorite moments in Detroit:
-The cabin we were in for New Years, getting to know some great people and sharing in so much laughter
-Meeting Jon’s grandmother who radiates love and genuine goodness
-Celebrating our 1 year anniversary at an amazing steakhouse where we became the favorite table of the owner and got the royal treatment
-Getting a driving tour of Detroit and a real feel for the city, the beauty and sadness in it’s vacancy
-The total dive bar that we went to for karaoke and the shenanigans that ensued from there

AIRPORTS: 5
FLIGHTS: 4
STATES: 4
COUNTRIES: 1
DAYS TRAVELING: 28

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