Travel Planning: New Continent, Warm Weather and New Experiences
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As some of you may know, I'm heading to America for three months in less than four weeks. The thought of it scares me and excites me in equal measure. Planning for this J1 has taken months, with a lot of uncertainty and worry involved. Would I get a job? Did I really want to leave Ireland? What if I couldn't handle the homesickness? Well I decided to push myself right out of my comfort zone and go ahead with it. I've decided to show you a rough guide of what I plan to bring with me and I hope it gives you some idea yourself of what to bring if you are going abroad for any length of time.
I've decided to separate the items into three sections; toiletries, clothes and bits and bobs. I know that this blog post is extremely female oriented, because naturally I'm speaking from a female perspective. Regardless, I am useless for knowing what to pack so I always make lists. If you want to share your holiday tips with me in the comment please do!
Toiletries
We all know there's a weight limit on what you can take on a flight. So the bare essentials are enough to get me through a long haul flight. I'm not a huge wearer of makeup, simply because I don't like how it feels on my skin. But there are a few products that I use on a daily basis so I'm suitable for the public. As you can see from the picture, I use products that on a whole are not that expensive because I really hate spending money. On anything. I never ever wear foundation, in fact I don't own one, because I find them too heavy. For any men that may be reading, some of the things may be relevant. Anything like shampoo, aersols or other makeup can be bought once I arrive in America. Even the smallest thing can be taken from you if it doesn't comply with travel regulations, weird as it is.
Clothes
At this stage in the month I know for a fact that I don't own enough clothes for America. This fact scares the crap out of me. However, I know for a fact that America DOES in fact have a lot of clothes shops so I will not be going around naked. I know that New York summers are absolutely roasting, especially if you're spending time around the city. My mother has been buying me vest tops, shorts and the like. I've been picking up little floaty pieces online and in Penneys. I hope to buy more over there as I know I'll find some bargains. I've been instructed to go outlet stores as opposed to high-end stores. I myself love shopping online in places such as Missguided.com, PrettyLittleThing.com or Boohoo.com. Shopping wise, I like TKMaxx for shoes, Penneys, Topshop, New Look, H&M and very rarely River Island. I just need to get clothes suitable for the warm American weather. I keep saying I'll change my style up but it's due to lack of money that I haven't. Hopefully with my wages I'll be able to afford a brand new wardrobe. Of course, these items below are not the only clothes I'm bringing, I'll have a case full to keep me going, an assortment of shoes, tops, shorts, a jacket or two and other important things.
Bits and bobs
Leaving to live in a country for a quarter of a year is a big deal, so the fact that I have to remember to bring even the most trivial of items. Obviously, I'm a blogger so I like to keep a notebook and pen with me at all times so that any ideas I get can be stored for later. I also like to collect quotes and memories, so I'm going to bring a bigger notebook for sticking cinema tickets and anything else I come across while I'm in America. I'll need an adapter for charging things with my Irish plugs, it's a pain that different countries have different shaped plugs. My headphones are absolutely key for both the aeroplane and for travelling throughout America. I hope I'll discover new bands, but I know that Ben Howard and Foals will be among many artists as the soundtrack to my summer. I'll possibly bring an umbrella too, because who knows when I could need it. I own a cute little compact hairbrush that my housemate Áine bought me and I absolutely love it. It's so so handy. For entertainment, hopefully I can bring my laptop or some magazines to occupy myself.
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I know for a fact that important items have been left out, like I said I am useless at packing. If I have forgotten something key, please let me know. I really hope that going to America will be a good experience. I hope to blog about the day I fly to America, eg the flight, what I did to occupy myself and myself arriving in America, complete with pictures. I hope you'll like it.
Thanks as always for reading, I always always appreciate it. My 100th blog post is next and who knows what I'll come up with to celebrate 100 blog posts. Thank you for continously reading, whether you're a family member, friend or someone who stumbled across my blog. Thank you.
All pictures are merely decorative and belong to their respective owners.
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