I Am Expensive To Take On Vacation...

Now...  First, please recognize, people, that I earn my own money.  The Husband and I treat each other to nice things... But I pay for all the things I buy and post about on this blog.

That said, I must now write about a tragedy.

About a year ago, I bought the T3 travel blow dryer.  And I bought the T3 flat iron.  When I went to London, I lost the flat iron in a tragic converter incident.  And because of that, I went the extra-extra step before my Australian trip.  I went to Brookstone and specifically asked if my 1600 watt blow dryer would work using a specifically powerful converter.

The Brookstone fellow assure me it would. 

Well, he lied.

I just tried to use my converter and blow dryer...  And my blow dryer caught on fire.

THERE WERE FLAMES INSIDE OF IT!

AND THEN THERE WERE SPARKS!!!!!

Now, the TV in the hotel room won't turn on.  And I have no way to finish straightening my hair.

The blow dryer and converter are now gone for good.  On the plus side, it's less I will have to pack in my bag.  

Let's recap what this trip has cost me so far, shall we?

• 1 Burberry trench coat, $300
  
• 1 Brookstone Global converter, $40
  
• 1 T3 travel blow dryer, $130

Total: $470

Red Hill Winery.

I am being picked up in about two hours to head outside of Melbourne for my brother-in-law's wedding tomorrow.  

The wedding is at the Red Hill Winery, and I may not have access to an Internet connection while there.  So there may be no more new posts until I get back to San Francisco on Saturday.  I will have plenty of pictures of wine, wine fields, the beach and the kangaroo they are serving at the reception dinner... All to post when I can!

Hmm...  Kangaroo!

Happy New Year!

It may only be early morning on the states... But here in Australia, the 16-hour time difference means it's now January 1st.

So, "Happy New Year from Melbourne!"

New Year's Eve In Melbourne.

Apparently, every restaurant in Melbourne shuts down on New Year's Eve. And if you didn't book a reservation anywhere, you will find yourselves doing what The Husband and I did...



Going to the food court in the Southgate complex downstairs, and getting fish and chips for dinner.

Despite where it came from (a greasy trap of a place), it was quite tasty.

We retired back to our river view room in the hotel, and decided to eat and just hang out here. I mean, it has everything we need for the evening... Wireless, TV, little bottles of champagne, chocolates, crisps, and a GREAT view of the early 9pm fireworks...





They do an early round of fireworks for the families with children. That's a smart idea. Then, at midnight they do the big celebration.

I will have my camera ready again!

2009 - Personal Year 9.

According to the ancient art of numerology, I will be entering into a 9 year on my birthday (April 12) of this year. Until then, though, I am still in my 8 year.

The 8 year, is a year of gain. Usually financial and recognition-wise, if you've worked hard. So I have about three and half months to work hard in order to make sure I have gained all that I am supposed to in this year.

And then... My year 9 begins.

The 9 year is a year of change. Since personal years run in 9-year cycles, it's the end of the cycle... And thus, time to move on from anything that just isn't working in your life. Previous 9 years for me have been:

• 1982 - I was five years old. I began school at that age, specifically, kindergarten. I had never gone to school before then. Unlike most people, I didn't go to preschool. So it was a year of ending my free childhood, so that I could move on to the academic part of my childhood.
• 1991 - I ended junior school, and went on on high school.
• 2000 - I left Arizona, and moved to NYC... Mostly on a whim, after visiting for my 23rd birthday. I also ended my dating career in my last 9 year... As near the end of it, I met my husband.

This year is going to be a year of change as well. I am scheduled to move in May, to another country. I will likely have to leave my job, as the move will make it unlikely that I will be able to continue with them.

Also on the job front, I think I may be done with search marketing as a career... As the current job is the most ideal search job anyone could ever want... So trying to find another search job like it will be impossible.

Change is a very tricky thing for me. I either do it completely effortlessly (as I did when I moved to NYC), or I do very badly with it... (As it was when I moved to Boston nearly six years ago.) There is no in-between. So I don't know yet how I will really adapt to the move to Toronto. I am trying to prepare myself so that it is as effortless as possible. But I am giving up a lot to move there.

But beyond the move, 2009 will be a year of change for me in other areas. In a 9 year, you get rid of anything that doesn't work for you anymore. It's a year of determination though, and anything that lasts to the end of it for you is there permanently. And you take it with you into the next 9 year cycle.

So a few more months of year 8... Then changes.

Burberry "Manston" Trench Coat.

I think I may have found my replacement trench coat...

The Burberry "Manston" trench.



I am LOVING it!

It Was A Leap Year, But My 2008 Only Had 365 Days...

I realized something today...

The year 2008 was a Leap Year, and therefore, is supposed to have 366 days.  But my 2008 only had 365 days.  And my 2009 will actually have 366 days.

Why?

Well, The Husband and I left for Melbourne on the 25th of December.  ("Merry Christmas" to us.) Because we crossed the International Date Line in our flight over, we completely missed the 26th of December, and arrived in Melbourne on the 27th of December.

Now, when you travel West across the Date Line, you do get the day you skipped back.  But it'll come back to you when you return.  The Husband and I leave Melbourne on the 3rd of January, in the afternoon.  We arrive in San Francisco on the 3rd of January in the morning.  

So, we get two January 3rds. And in my reality, 2009 is a Leap Year.

This must mean something for my 2009...

2008 Resolutions: A Review.

It's New Year's Eve here in Melbourne.  So I have only about 16 hours till 2009 begins.  So I should get to posting what I completed in 2008 that I set out to.  

So here is an assessment of my resolutions from 2008...

• Tone up! - I have definitely toned up A LOT.  I haven't lost any weight.  But I didn't really set out to, at least not through toning up and exercising.   Has my body-shape changed in 2008. Yes, a little.  My shoulders and back are much stronger and better proportioned to the rest of me.  And I've noticed in recent weeks that my thighs are changing shape too.  I credit this to the new trainer and his making me lift much heavier weights.
  
• Eat better! - Yeah... This one I failed at.  My eating habits are completely shady.  I tried to not eat meat...  But it's difficult.  Who doesn't love bacon and want to nibble it when you smell it? And it's just so much easier at the end of the day, or at lunch, to just grab some processed crappy (but yummy) food.
  
• Drink a lot less coffee. - Believe it or not... In 2008 I did drink less coffee than I did in 2007.
  
• Drink more wine.  - DONE!  I think the trip to Rome really cemented this one for me...  Though, I do pick up a bottle of red wine every two weeks and have a few ounces most nights.
  
• Buy no new clothes in January. - I don't recall if I did that one.  I would have to check my bank statement to confirm for sure.
  
• Ask Mr. Sports "Can I work from home?" a lot less. - I don't think I bothered him with that one too much.  But now my bothering of him has been replaced with other things that are silly and useless.
  
• Find new ways to keep the workplace "lively." - I hired a team this year...  Their providing plenty of liveliness for the office.  And then some...
  
• Return Netflix DVDs in a timely fashion. - No worries on that one. I don't even use Netflix anymore.
  
• Develop a new schedule. - I failed at this one.  I kept setting schedules to manage my time better, but rarely did I follow it completely.
  
• Blog 1,000 times in the 366 days of 2008. - DONE!  Or rather, it will be done once I finish another post after this one.
  

So the year of 2008 was known as the year of "progress and gain."  There was definitely progress in some areas.  And there were gains.  So, now it's time to make my 2009 resolutions!

Bikram Yoga Melbourne.

I got up early today, about 7:30am, and was on my way to Bikram Yoga Melbourne in the Richmond district by 8:15am.

Class was scheduled to start at 9:30am, and according to Google Maps it was gonna take me 45 minutes to walk the nearly two miles there.  It did not though...  It only took me about 30 minutes. 

It was easy to find, as Melbourne is on a grid system...

I went in for my 90 minutes of hot yoga.

The differences I noticed between Bikram in Boston and in Melbourne were:

• They don't sell drinks with electrolytes.  So they had no coconut water for after class.
  
• The towels they rent you are very fluffy.  Makes balancing on them a little difficult.
  
• They keep the room very hot.  About 117 degrees Fahrenheit.

It was a good class.  I was very dehydrated though.  So it was rough.  I hadn't eaten anything in over 12 hours, but yet I found myself experiencing severe acid reflux because of the heat and the dehydration.  I actually threw up a teeny-tiny bit of acid into my mouth during Half Tortoise pose.  And Rabbit pose?  I was utterly useless in that one.

I ended the class fairly strong.  And I caught a cab back to my hotel, as the nearly two mile walk was just not going to be happening after the class.  And once back at the hotel, I washed my yoga clothes in the bath tub...

And hung them to dry...

Taco Bill.

We have seen a lot of American chains in Melbourne since we arrived a few days ago...

• Subway
  
• Starbucks
  
• Hungry Jacks (Which is Burger King.  We don't know why they changed the name though.)
  
• Target
  
• Kmart
  
• McDonald's
  
• KFC
  
• 7 Eleven
  
• Costco

Unfortunately, though, there is no Taco Bell.  But, there is a Taco Bill...  

And tonight, we ate dinner there.

The margaritas were excellent.  We had them frozen and fruit-flavored.  The food was a 6/10. You could tell a lot of it was frozen and just reheated.  But things were delicious.

We never found out who "Bill" was.  It would have been nice to meet him.  Bet he wasn't Mexican though.

Melbourne Aquarium.

Today's adventure in Melbourne included a trip to the Melbourne Aquarium... Which is just across the Yarra River from our hotel.

We got to see penguins...

Zooming by in the water!

Gigantic crabs...

Huge stingrays...

Jelly Fish...

And divers feeding sharks and other sea creatures!

The aquarium was bit of a rip-off, though, in my opinion.  It cost $31 (AU) to get in, and it only takes you about an hour to walk through it.  The highlight is definitely the live feeding they do. So I consider this a "toss-up" as to whether or not it's worth actually seeing when you come to Melbourne.

I wish they'd had dolphins.

Melbourne Royal Botanic Gardens.

Surprisingly, The Husband and I have had no problem adjusting to Melbourne time, which is 16 hours ahead of Boston time.  I think it will catch up with us when we try to adjust back to Boston time next week...

Oh well.

Because The Husband and I have had no problems getting up in the morning, we decided to go for a job first thing today.  A jog that took us through the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens.

There were lots of gorgeous flowers...

And even some hydrangeas...

And I came across two excellent climbing trees...

Only, you're not allowed to climb them in the garden.  Bummer!

This is definitely worth a see if you're ever in the city.

It's Called A "Flat White."

While here in Australia, I am loving all the cafes they have around the city of Melbourne.  And to my surprise, there are a lot of them.  Like every corner.  It's as if I am in Rome again!

While getting breakfast yesterday morning, I saw something on the menu that I had never heard of before...  

A Flat White.

A Flat White is made with espresso and hot milk.  And it's like a latte, only much stronger.

It was delicious.  And a large only cost me $3.50 Australian.  That equates to $2.35 USD.  NICE!

Kangaroos!!!

Spent the day in a surf town outside of Melbourne, visiting the brother-in-law and his future wife. (Who is very lovely, by the way.  It was the first time I had met her.)

While out there, they took us to the beach to watch some surfers...

And then they took us to a golf course where kangaroos like to hang out...

There were over 30 of them! And they just stood around chomping the grass.

Hmm... Grass...

Traveling To Melbourne: A Tip.

Now that I am here and settled into my hotel room, there is something good to know when you plan on visiting Melbourne, Australia...

Airport customs and quarantine is serious business over here.

After you get your passport stamped, you have to collect your luggage and go through customs. Easy enough, right? That's how it typically goes when you visit a country. Well...

Australia takes it an extra step.

Once you hand security your customs card, they tell you which quarantine line you have to go into in order to exit the airport. The person who stamps your passport is the one who marks up the customs card. And they mark it based on when, in their system, it shows you applied for your visitor's visa for the country.

Yes, that's right, you need a visa to visit Australia. It's no big deal. And you can get it from the airport when you check in for your flight to Australia. That's what we did in San Francisco.

However... This method makes for a very time consuming exit from the airport. For them, it's a "red flag" in their system that you may be carrying something illegal.

We had to wait in a small line where no body came and collected us for a few minutes... Even though there were plenty of available agents. Eventually, someone did come and get us... And they took The Husband and I rather than the guy who was standing ahead of us in line.

We had our bags go through the X-ray machine. And then the agent asked us for our flight itinerary. He asked us when we booked our flights. I told him that we had done it back in September. He then asked us why we had waited till we checked in for the flight to get a visitor's visa. I told him, "I work for a travel company. I knew you could just get one at the airport, rather than go to the consulate."

That answer was fine for him. He then let us go.

But on the table next us was a Chinese man with a HUGE suitcase. In the suitcase were loads of cigarettes and Chinese noodles and other packaged food. The agent he was working with was holding up the cigarettes and telling him, "You have to pay $156 in order to bring these into the country, otherwise I will have to throw them out."

The man didn't understand him, and they went to go find an interpreter. We didn't think he was gonna be able to leave the airport with all his stuff.

Later, when I was talking with my brother-in-law... He was telling me how serious they are in customs and quarantine.

"They asked me if I had any golf or rugby cleats in my bags," he said. "They were worried about any foreign dirt coming in to the country from them."

So, like I said, they are very serious here. Serious, but very nice. We never once felt talked-down to... Which is so unlike some American customs agents. They were very straightforward here. They just don't want you bringing any unauthorized food or species in to the country.

So, my advice, people... Apply for the visa once you have your tickets booked to Australia. Don't wait till you get to the airport. Sure, it's easier. But customs can see when you were issued the visa. And it will just mean more time stuck in the airport once you get off of your flight.

A Moment Of Silence Please...

Sad news, people...

In my excitement to board the 747 in San Francisco, I appear to have left my favorite Burberry trench coat in the terminal.

:(

I bought it four years ago at the Burberry store on Newbury Street for $300.  It was massively marked down, and I had been craving one for YEARS.  The price was too good to pass up.  And I wore it as much as possible in the Spring and Fall.

Now I will have to replace it.  

I may stop by the Burberry store here in Melbourne... Just to get a sense of what new offerings they have, and to see if it would make any sense to buy one while I am here.

Starbucks In Melbourne.

Wasn't expecting it...  But was truly happy to see that they have a Starbucks in Melbourne, just a quick walk from the hotel we are staying at on the Yarra River.

SWEET!

It was pretty much the same as the Starbucks in America...  Even the prices were the same... Which means my double tall soy latte only cost me $2.76 in USD.  

Woohoo!

Sunrise In Auckland.

Taken while waiting for our flight from Auckland to Melbourne...

It was about 5:30am on Saturday, the 27th.  

Panda Cigarettes!

At the airport and came across these...

Panda cigarettes!

Since I don't smoke, I didn't pick any up.  But I so wanted to... For Bail.  because she has a thing for pandas.

Flying The Big Boy: The 747.

The Husband and I are here at SFO airport.  Sadly, the Sephora was closed because it is a holiday. (Boo!)  But we are at our gate now... And the flight isn't going to be full.  The airplane has been parked at the gate since we arrived an hour ago...

Yep! 

It's the big one!  

The plane holds over 400 people on it.  And the lady at the gate said it was far from full. 

We did have to check our bags though, as they only allow you 7kg on this airline for a carry-on. So keep your fingers crossed!  Otherwise, I may be doing some mad shopping in Melbourne once I get there.

Hmm...

On second though...  Uncross those fingers!  ;)

Winter Craving: Over Sized Cardi & Riding Boots.

I'm in the mood to switch things up this Winter season.  

Don't get me wrong... I am loving all of my new jeans, and wearing them every single day.  But I want to mix things up a little... With leggings, over sized cardigans and riding boots.

I must seek out these treasures and see if they work on me.

Airport Shopping.

The Husband and scored a late checkout here at our hotel, and we're going to take advantage of it. Since we don't have to vacate till 3pm, we're gonna sleep some more and hit the gym once more. 

And once we get to the airport, we'll have about 3.5 hours to kill there, so I intend to hit the shops at the terminal...

That's right.  They have a Sephora.  And I have some skincare needs before my flight.  NICE!

Happy Christmas!

Wishing you a great holiday...  With lots of good food... Fun...  And safety!

Oh... And lots of Christmas "spirits!"  

...  Like vodka, gin, rum, tequila, Kahlua and more.

(Hee!  Hee!)

"You'll Shoot Your Eye Out Kid!"

A Christmas tradition for me (and my family) is the 24 hour marathon of A Christmas Story on TBS...

How can you not love it when Flick sticks his tongue on the pole?

And when Ralphie daydreams about his Red Rider BB Gun?

And his father's excitement over winning the "major award?"  He thinks it's from Italy!

It's a "statue!"

And his mother's embarrassment over the sexy lamp?

And how about when Ralphie screams out the dirty word ("Oh FUCK!") when helping his dad change the flat tire?  The punishment scene was priceless...

I love this film.  I only watch it at Christmastime.  And only on TBS.  I watch at least four times throughout the marathon.  If there's one tradition I have, it's this.

Budweiser Chelada.

Ew. Ew. Ew.  

Ew!

Was at a convenience store this afternoon and saw one of the most disgusting things ever...

Budweiser (or Bud Light) mixed with CLAMATO.

Ew!!!!!!

It's called Budweiser Chelada.  And it totally makes me want to vom.

I hate tomato juice.  And I hate clams.  You mix the juices of the two together and add it to beer?  Of that's just nasty!

Christmas Eve Meal: Hawaiian BBQ.

We had three options for dinner out here by our hotel in Frisco...  In-N-Out Burger, The Hotel Restaurant or a Hawaiian BBQ spot. 

The Husband and I usually do Chinese food for Christmas Eve dinner...  We don't do anything fancy.  Just a nice, cheap, tasty meal.  So we decided to do Hawaiian BBQ this evening...

Yummy Chicken Katsu...

And Yummy BBQ Chicken & Steak Mix...

After we had finished the meal, we realized that what we had eaten was probably very close to a lot of the options we will have in Melbourne.  So we should have sought out a Mexican food place.  

Wish there was a Taco Bell nearby.

In-N-Out Burger!

Oh I love San Francisco!  And I'm not even in the city... Just at the Westin Airport Hotel!

On our free shuttle ride from the airport to the hotel this afternoon, we passed an In-N-Out Burger.  And it turned out that it was a quick walk from the hotel.  And since I hadn't had a burger from In-N-Out in over 10 years...

I had to indulge!

OMG!  The best burgers anywhere! 

I'll be honest though.. The fries aren't that great.  So don't even bother with those.  But the burgers?  

I may have to go back for lunch tomorrow before we go to the airport!

It's Christmas Eve - Ain't No One Volunteering To Bump.

Finally landed in San Francisco after a very long but good flight.  

The only thing that was a bit of a hassle was the fact that American Airlines oversold the flight. By about 20 seats.  At first, they were offering a $300 voucher and a confirmed seat on the evening flight.  But no one was biting.  So then they offered $500 vouchers.  Still no one bit.  And they needed to have at least seven people offer up their seats.  So they moved the offer to $500 vouchers and confirmed FIRST CLASS seats on the evening flight.

That would have been enough for me to bite.  But we are just stopping in San Francisco on the way to Australia.  So we didn't want to risk getting delayed or held up in the evening.  We have our Melbourne flight to catch tomorrow evening.

The airline was so desperate to get people, and even with the first class seat offer they were still three seats short, that they came on to the plane and continued to ask people to give up their seats.  

No one budged.  And who can blame them?  Volunteering to bump would mean giving up your Christmas Eve plans.  The later flight they were offering wasn't leaving until 6:30pm, and getting into San Fran at 10:30pm.  So, of course no one wanted to volunteer!

We had a good flight though.  As usual, I hopped into my middle seat (27E) and fell right asleep for about two hours.  Then I woke up, watched Wall-E on the overhead. (Which, to be honest, was a shitty movie.  I don't understand why people liked it.)  Then I went back to sleep for about another two hours.

So one flight down.  No we're in our hotel near the airport... And we are just trying to decide what to do with the rest of our day.  The Husband is a little bit tired, as he is not able to sleep on planes.  (I'll sleep anywhere and with anyone.  KIDDING!)  So for now, we're just chilling in the hotel room.

Travel Must-Haves.

I have two long flights ahead of me in the next 48 hours.  And when I say, "Long," what I really mean is, "LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG!"

Now, I am a excellent flier.  I show up early to the airport.  I check-in quickly.  I make it through security efficiently.  I board when called (and not a moment sooner - bitches!)  I find my seat quickly.  I throw my luggage in the space above my seat THE CORRECT WAY (wheels in first, dumbasses!)  And I settle in for the flight.  I only get up to go to the bathroom when the person next to me gets up, making it more efficient to get out of the row.  I rarely accept anything from the flight attendants (only HOT water).  I don't make messes.  I clean up any trash I make.  I don't hog the armrests. I don't need drugs to make me calm or sleep on planes.

Hell... Sometimes I don't even recline my seat, because I don't want to mess with the person's space behind me.

However, despite being a good flier, I still have needs on flights.  Things that I must have with me to easily be comfortable.  These include:

• Moisturizer - For my hands and my face.  It's dry at the high altitudes.  You need moisturizer.  I wash my face before I get on the flight.  And I reapply moisturizer as needed.
  
• Ginger Tea Bags - I won't take anything but madly hot water from flight attendants most of the time on domestic flights.  And I want to stay hydrated, so I bring my own tea bags on board. Caffeine-free tea bags.
  
• iPod - I like to load mine with episodes of This American Life.  And I even have a Past Life Regression book by Doreen Virtue on mine...  These are great listens for flights.  You just close your eyes and get lost.
  
• Cashmere Eye Mask - Speaking of "closing your eyes"...  Before a trip to Paris three years ago, I bought one of these from Saks (boo!)...  I travel with it all the time now.  It's nice and soft.  And more importantly, it's clean. No need to worry who else may have used it before me.
  
• Journal - I get ideas all the time while in flight.  
  
• Scarf/Pashmina/Shawl - Whatever you call it, I take one on board with me.  My body temperature goes all over the place while in flight.  And I prefer not to use blankets that the airlines have (or pillows for that matter).  You can get nice $15 ones at the airport stores.
• Laptop - I can't travel without it.  That doesn't work for me. I don't want to be in a world where going without it is the norm.

I try not to eat on planes.  Unless it's a flight over four hours.  Then I take some trail mix or crackers on with me.  And if meals are served, depending on the airline, I will eat some of the pieces. (I don't eat raw veggies, or cooked ones.  Bread and cooked meats and pastas are usually safe.)

Now I must go pack my carry-on bag.

24 Hours In San Francisco.

The Husband and I leave tomorrow morning for the first part of our journey to Melbourne for the holidays.  We will be in San Francisco for about 24 hours.  

We get there at noon SF time tomorrow.  And we are staying in a hotel near the airport.  I'm thinking that it would be fun to head into the city for Christmas Eve though.  So I wanted to ask you people...

• Anything we should definitely see?
  
• Anything we should definitely do?
  
• Any place we should definitely eat dinner?

If y'all have ideas, leave them in the comments.  Thanks!!!!

Where Did The Time Go?

Is it really after 10:30pm?  

Where did my day go?

I need to start spending my time more wisely.  And a lot less in the fashion I have gotten used to spending it in.  

If I don't get out of this funk I've been in lately soon, I'll spend the rest of my life in it.  And that just will not do.

Boxing Playlist: Version 2.

A few months ago, when I began my weekly boxing sessions, I put together a list of songs to play while we were knocking the bags around...  But I am getting sick of some of the songs.  So I have put together a new list...

1. Mr. Brightside - The Killers
   
2. Should I Stay Or Should I Go - The Clash
   
3. White Lines - Duran Duran
   
4. Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
   
5. Walk This Way - Run-DMC
   
6. Blitzkrieg Bop - The Ramones
   
7. I Wanna Be Sedated - The Ramones (Yes, all their songs sound the same.  But so-the-fuck-what?)
   
8. Lose Yourself - Eminem (The Trainer and I both agree, this is a good one.)
   
9. Chelsea Dagger - The Fratellis
   
10. 4 Minutes - Madonna
    
11. Give It 2 Me - Madonna
    
12. Harder To Breathe - Maroon 5
    
13. Under Pressure - Queen
    
14. Eye of the Tiger - Survivor
    
15. I'm Shipping Up To Boston - Dropkick Murphys
    
16. Seven Nation Army - White Stripes
17. The Middle - Jimmy Eat World

Anyone else have any suggestions?

Current Craving: Allison Daniel Silver Stud Cuff.

I'm not big on jewelry usually... But lately, I have really found myself drawn to odd little pieces. Healing stones (like Moonstone or coral) to plastic Bakelite bangles and flower pins.  

Currently, I have latched my sites on to this lovely little chunk...

The Allison Daniel Silver Stud Cuff from Intuition.

Hmm!  Funky vintage goodness!

I'd Really Like To "Surf" To Melbourne.

I called the airline today to confirm our reservation and get our seat assignments for the flight from San Francisco to Melbourne.

Turns out, we are on the upper deck of the plane (a 747)! And looking at the seating chart, Premium Economy gets AC power in the seats, as well as the same amenities as the Business(really, first) class cabin on the same deck. So that means we don't have to share the bathroom with as many people AND I can just use my regular plug for my laptop, rather than running off my battery!

Yay!!!!!

The only thing that would make the flight to Melbourne more exciting was if they had free WiFi on board. Then I could blog and surf the whole way there and the whole way back.

Australian Spa Options.

The hotel The Husband and I are staying at while in Melbourne has a luxury spa in it. And because the Australian dollar is weaker than the US dollar (about $0.68 USD for $1.00 AUD), I can score some sweet pampering while there!

Here are a few of the things I am thinking of trying (I may try none of them, just depends on how I feel when I get there!):

Spring Pedicure & Moet Mini
Prepare your feet for strappy sandals and peep toe pumps with a Chuan Spring pedicure, whilst sipping on a Moet & Chandon mini. Enjoy a calming foot soak, followed by a warm oil and herbal foot exfoliation, softening your feet whilst releasing tension. A foot mask will then revitalize the skin epidermis followed by a thorough file and polish.

Tao of Detox
Regenerate and restore: A luxurious full body exfoliation will stimulate blood and lymph circulation before you are enveloped in a warm marine algae wrap infused with aromatherapy oils. Then unwind as we ease tension in your back, neck and shoulders using a relaxation massage to release energy blocks. The treatment is finished by nourishing your skin with a radiant revival facial with an infused intensive oxygen booster to restore dehydrated skin.

Indoceane
Harnessing the serenity of the orient and amalgamating the secrets of the Mediterranean, Egyptian and Chinese cultures, experience a multi sensual relaxation therapy. this sublime treatment combines a sweet and savory body scrub, a milk bath and a two step massage incorporating a Qi-Balm vitalisation massage and an Indoceane oil massage employing the Indian smoothing, oriental kneading and Japanese percussion techniques. The sensory journey concludes with a fragrant body wrap and leaves you in a total state of relaxation and bliss.

How To Pack A Carry-On For 11 Days Of Travel.

My mission...  

Pack for 11 days of travel (including New Year's Eve, a wedding dress rehearsal and wedding) using only this...

A carry-on piece of luggage.  Baggage allowance restrictions force me to keep it my luggage to 40 pounds in total weight and 45 inches in total measurement.

(Mother fuckers!)

Well, you know what?  I did it!

Here's everything in the case...

And here's the total weight of the piece...

(It's 28 pounds, photographed upside down.)

Bet you're wondering what I've packed, huh?  Here you go:

• 1 pair of jeans (I'm wearing a second pair on the plane.)
  
• 1 red cotton dress
  
• 1 purple cotton dress
  
• 1 pair of leggings
  
• 1 pair of Tory Burch silver flats
  
• Flipflops
  
• Manolo Snakeskin Sandals
  
• Calypso Silk dress (for wedding)
  
• Black Theory Tank (to go under the Calypso dress, as it is lowcut, and I don't feel like showing off the "goods in the hood")
  
• Black Anthropologie dress (for rehearsal dinner and possibly New Year's Eve)
  
• Yoga pants (for working out)
  
• Sports bra
  
• Tank (for working out)
  
• Favorite gym shirt
  
• 5 tank tops
  
• Blazer
  
• Black sweater
  
• As much underwear as possible (in reality, about 6 pairs)
  
• Two bras
  
• Yoga pants (for sleeping)
  
• Tank (for sleeping)
  
• Longsleeved tee (for sleeping)
  
• T3 travel blowdryer
  
• Adapter/Converter for dryer
  
• 2 brushes
  
• Comb
  
• Make-up bag
  
• Tampons (TMI? Well, you always have to be prepared people!)
  
• 1 Sweater vest
  
• 1 White cotton blouse
  
• 1 Black trendy top for going out
  
• 2 necklaces
  
• 1 pair of earrings
  
• 1 Bikram yoga top
  
• 1 pair of Bikram yoga shorts
  
• 1 bag of beauty products (3-1-1 rule!)
  
• 1 make-up bag
  

Before you begin to wonder how I will survive with only 6 pairs of underwear... I plan on doing laundry while I am there.  Actually, I will probably give it to the hotel to do for me.

And here's what's going in my personal carry-on:

• laptop
  
• camera
  
• three DVDs
  
• 1 book
  
• eye mask for sleeping
  
• hand lotion
  
• lip balm
  
• passport
  
• sunglasses
  
• eyeglasses
  
• iPod
  
• Power cord
  

And here's what I will wear on the plane:

• Burberry trench coat
  
• Blue Scarf (also a shawl)
  
• Tank top
  
• Bikram yoga hoodie sweatshirt (Gotta represent!)
  
• Jeans
  
• Sneakers
  

Vacation, here I come!