Packing for Trips

I love to travel. I hate to pack. I know have all my toiletries ready to go, so no worries there. Packing for family trips is fine. Figure number of day and pack accordingly. I know whether it is shorts, or jeans, throw in a jacket, and ready to go. But business trips are another story especially when the trip involves a convention.

There are classes (informal), trade show time (business), social hours (business casual), traveling, down time and if we are exhibiting clothes to set up and tear down the show booth. One time I figured I needed 3 changes of clothing to get through just one day. Yes, I know all the tricks. I have black, and dark grey pants, I know to layer, and so forth and so on. But, it is the actual decisions of what I will bring that cause the problem. San Antonio was supposed to be warm, but it was cold, and even 3 layers couldn't seem to warm us up. And, I want to look just right, I am representing my company. So, which of my logo shirts will I bring? And which events will be in clothes without the company logo?

You can tell when I've had trouble with decisions. My suitcase gets heavier. With the new weight rules, that has stopped some of my over packing. So, I pack, and I make a list by day and event as to what I am going to wear. And, I pack the list on top. It does help, but it doesn't alleviate the stress. Need jewelry, need dress up shoes, need my charger and i-pod and lap-top, and like Alex books to read. And, I made it to the library book sale this past weekend, and bought a lot of books for only $1 or $2 each. If they are only fair, I give them to flight attendants when I am done with them. Need my notebook full of reservations, and schedules, and event details.

Yet, somehow I manage to always make the plane on time, pull it together, and look good. And only occasionally have to buy something extra that was forgotten. This weekend I pack for a convention in Orlando. I don't leave until Sept 15th, but I am already trying to figure out my wardrobe. The good news is that I cut back on the number of days I'll be gone, and the number of events I am committed to attending. I know every day this week when I dress for work I'll think, hmmmmm do I need this for the trip? If so, I better not wear it today. So, that is what is top and foremost on my mind this week. As well as getting through 2 weeks worth of work in one week, so I leave my desk looking clean and organized and have assigned jobs to be done to everyone else.

And, lastly, I have to figure out how to order healthier smaller portions in restaurants. I am getting better at it, but it is tough! And, why do the restaurants think healthy has to be bland (but that is probably another post all together). Any on the road eating tips would certainly be appreciated!