Compartment 14B
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Vay-cay-shun baby! Time to get ready! Part II 2010-01-13 - 10:49 a.m. So today I�m building on the steps I follow when getting ready for vacation that I listed in my previous post, which were: Here�re the deets� 1) Research 2) Make a list � not just of what to bring but what you need to do, like arrange for plants to be watered and mail to be taken in, visas to be applied for/passports to be renewed, etc. For items I intend to pack, I make a list with one column segmented into sections - �general� and for each person - then split the next two columns to designate which items go into carry-on (including things you�ll actually wear enroute), and which should be in your checked luggage, with a separate section to give me space to put a checkmark as these things are packed. I�ll share a few items � heck, maybe my whole list � in the next post, if you�re curious. 3) Search your house for what you�ve got 4) Shop for what you don�t got (or know you have but can�t find, dammit!); borrow what you can 5) Lay out everything in piles beside the bags 6) Pack 7) Groom 8) Lay out your clothes to wear and put bags, etc. in designated area ready to leave the house. I know this sounds like a lot of prep, but I am a list-maker (I will add stuff that I�ve already done to a list: it captures it for referring to next time I do the same sort of activity, and I have the satisfaction of being able to check things off right away) and I�ve really found that following this process definitely helps me relax and enjoy myself when it counts � when I�m actually there on vacation!
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1) Research
2) Make a list � not just of what to bring but what you need to do, like arrange for plants to be watered and mail to be taken in
3) Search your house for what you�ve got
4) Shop for what you don�t got (or know you have but can�t find, dammit!)
5) Lay out everything in piles beside the bags
6) Pack
7) Groom
8) Lay out your clothes to wear and put bags, etc. in designated area ready to leave the house.
When do I start this? Well, I�d say you technically start when you decide what kind of vacation you want � beach? Spa? Humanitarian volunteer experience? Dude ranch? � and your budget, and you want to investigate the options available. Once you know at least the rough location you really should look into what you might need to have in the way of shots, etc. for there, and the sooner the better. For example, a full course of Twinrix takes 6 months to fully protect you against hepatitis A and B, and it�s recommended for a whole whack of tropical destinations. The good news is that I think you can get away with only two before you go, which only take a month � just don�t forget to get that third since two only protect you for a year, but the full 3 shots means you�re good-to-go for 18 years. Big difference!
It�s the dead of winter� now where the heck did I put that snorkel mask? Give yourself some time to ferret out items that you know you own before giving up and purchasing new ones.
Yeah, it�s not easy to find your aqua socks in your basement, but you�ve turned it upside-down and further frustration just ain�t worth it. And boy, while you�re shopping anyway, could you ever use some extra storage for your camera�
Don�t just pack it as you go along! You need to be able to check that all-important list in one shot.
Yay! Finally!
You�re going for a week and you will be wearing a bathing suit and in lots of pictures. Rather than make your family wait while you insist on busting out the razor before hitting the pool, do everyone a favour: if you have any personal grooming routines that don�t have to be done daily � I�m talking cutting your nails and shaving, waxing, etc. of various body parts (if you know what I mean, and I think you do � take the time to do it the night before you go. Likewise if you want to give yourself the best chance at pictures with everyone looking as you like them to, get a haircut/dye your hair/trim the kids� bangs in the week leading up to your departure. If you don�t care about you or your kids looking a little wild, you know you won�t be in front of the camera, or you perpetually live in a state of camera-readiness anyway, then don�t bother, obviously.
Your bags are packed, you�re ready to go � and you have to get up at a godawful time to get to the airport. Make sure you have all your bags in one place (I can�t pack the car too much ahead of time in the winter here because everything�ll freeze, so I designate an area beside the front door) for quick car-packing. Laying out clothes for yourself and your kids, and a few non-perishable breakfast items/snacks for the car before you go to bed, will also make things go smoother in the morning.
That means no swiping my stuff - text, images, etc. - without asking.
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