Tripping… March 2, 2011

A girl can dream can’t she?

2009-CHECK
-Niagara, Montreal, Muskoka, New York

2010-CHECK
Spring/Summer Jaunts-Muskoka, Niagara
October-Barbados
December-Disneyworld, Florida

2011:
May-Ottawa for the International Tulip Festival
July-Bahamas
October-Vegas baby! (first escapade planned without the kiddos. Fingers crossed!)

2012-Girls trip to South beach, A+R to San Francisco and MARK to Boston and Nantucket or PEI and Halifax
2013-A+R 10 yr anniversary-Italy!
2014-Costa Rica-voluntourism with sea turtles or Family cruise
2015 -Greece/Turkey or South of France
2016 -Hong Kong
2018 -Family trip to Egypt!

These are just some ideas but am open to any and all opportunites abroad and always looking for suggestions for great family centric holidays.

Master Packing List July 11, 2008

everytime i travel, i stress and jot down a list and then check it off as i pick and gather things up to dump into my suitcase. i inevitably lose this frantic list and have to start over again when a new trip is on the horizon. so, i’ve decided to write down my master packing list here. so efficient, aren’t I? here are two versions, one just for mom and one for baby:

mommy’s list.…i am a minimalist when i travel so i think this covers the bare essentials:
-toiletries including moisturizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant
-make-up case
-clothes (depends on where and how long but the rule is less is more and if you don’t where it here, you won’t where it there!)
-shoes!!!/socks
-underwear/bras
-pjs
-relaxed clothing for in between times (sweatpants + t-shirt)
-purse(s)
-hair-ties (straightener–not always necessary, most hotels have blowdriers so don’t bring this along)
-sunglasses
-a book or two
-wallet/passport/credit card/debit card
-cellphone
-camera

baby’s list(it’s hard to be a minimalist in this department because even though you may not need a lot of these items, its best to pack them for ‘just in case’ scenarios especially while travelling outside of north america)
-diapers (atleast 6/day is a good calculation to go by)
-wipes + vaseline
-dirty diaper bags or plastic bags
-bottles with all their parts
-formula (if you are not nursing your baby)
-bottle warmer (not necessary and takes up too much room. usually, you can find hot water easily and put in a mug or bowl and warm your bottle that way.)
-baby snacks (i personally like oatios and baby mmm’s, the others get so messy. if your child is older, fruits and raisins are ideal)
-baby food (in jars just in case)
-a travel size cooler (if you need to keep items cold)
-gripe water/teething camilla drops/tempra
-blankets
-clothes (depends on how long you are going for, layers are great)
-a hat or two
-pjs
-socks and shoes
-bath stuff (baby wash and shampoo, moisturizer)
-toys and books (keep at a minimum, some of their favourites and maybe some new ones that they haven’t seen before so they are engaged for longer esp. on the flights)
-hoodies
-bibs
-washclothes
-pacifiers (if they take one)

happy travelling!!!

Where I want to go… December 12, 2006

Where I want to visit in the next decade or so…
note to self: be patient, you have time…

-Italy/Paris with my true love
-Volunteer with the sea turtles in Costa Rica
-East Africa with my entire family
-S.E. Asia including Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia
-Egypt
-Turkey and Greece
-Vancouver-2010 Olympics
-P.E.I.

Been Around the World December 12, 2006

Here’s a list of some of my rg adventures, stints and jaunts:

-Montreal, Canada-Summer Language Bursary Program, Summer ’94
-Ville franche du mer (outside of Nice), France-Semester Abroad ’95-96
-13 countries in Europe-Backpacking journeys, Summer ’96
-Victoria, BC-Al-Ummah Camp Counsellor, Summer ’97
-New York, NY, Tibetan Freedom Concert Volunteer, June ’97
-Hautulco, Mexico-Au pair with Club Med, Spring ’98
-Nomal, Pakistan (northern areas close to Afghanistan)-ESL Teacher and Outreach Support Worker, Summer ’98
-India- sweatpacked, Summer ’98
-Dubai, UAE-engagement party with moonie, Fall ’98
-Boston 5, ’99
-Washington, DC-Intern at CNN and CTV Washington, ’99-’00
-Ottawa, ON-Pierre Trudeau funeral, Sept. ’00
-Victoria, BC-Conference on Intl Rights of the Child delegate, August ’01
-Mayan Riveria, Mexico-Honeymoon, September ’03
-Los Angeles, California, Movie Junket, January ’05
-Hawaii-Sun and Surf, November ’05
-New York City, NY-weekend of fun, Feb ’06
-Morocco-Jewel of Morocco cosmos tour with Aly, May ’06
-Chicago, IL-Oprah Winfrey Show, Oct ’06
-Jamaica Mon with my mon, March ’07