Grace's Carry-On Essentials

Well, well, well....here we are.  April 6th.  I'm leaving in just two days!  Oh, Friday, come quickly!

I'm eating writing this over a chocolate chip cookie and a travel itinerary.  So, I thought to myself, why not write a post about my carry-on essentials?

I'll be traveling by bus this time -- my second time on a tour bus -- and I'm super excited.  We were told Sunday that we have space for luggage in stowaway, and a space for a carry-on bag.  So, I started making plans to pack my backpack and take it with me.

I realize some of these aren't essentials, but I like to have them with me at all times (unless they're safely stored in my hotel room), so I put them in my backpack.  :)

Snacks.
Of course this is first.  :)  I've packed away my favorite snacks: roasted peanuts, a huge package of Starbursts, some fiber bars, and some Orbit gum.  And yes, I do plan on sharing...!!!!

Scriptures.
I always take my Scriptures with me, but especially since this is a trip to visit Church history sites.  And, they make for some good reading on those 12+-hour bus rides...

Clipboard.
A clipboard is always welcome to ride along with me.  I plan on writing letters while I'm on the road to make the time go faster.  Yeah, they'll probably all be to Promise....

A journal.
I LOVE journaling about my travels.  I like to write the time, place, where we are, and what we're doing.  And if I have any testimonies, I write them in there too.  I started doing this right before Church Reunion 2014, and I'm SO glad I did.  I love to read back over old travel journals and remember the testimonies, blessings, and jokes with friends.

A coloring book.
I mean those AWESOME adult coloring books you find at the dollar store.  My parents and I love them!  I found a really neat one with intricate flower designs a couple days ago.  I've been making myself wait to use it until we get two hours down the road on our trip.

Pencils and pens.
I found these super neat rainbow pencils at the dollar store a couple days ago.  I also plan on taking plenty of pens to write in my journal and write the letters with.  And I don't want to forget highlighters to use when I find that super moving Scripture in Habakkuk 3.  ;-)

A baseball cap.
I love wearing a baseball cap for a number of reasons.  Not many girls I know wear them, so I like that it makes me different when I do wear it.  Also, it provides awesome protection from the sun.  I'm Norwegian, and I BURN!  The last reason is, my baseball cap is from the Kansas City Royals, and I like to show support for my favorite baseball team.  <3  (#foreverroyal)

A pouch with small bottles.
I carry things in small bottles, and I like to carry them in a handmade pouch I found at a craft fair a few years ago.  In it, I carry perfume, deodorant, a small comb, and my favorite item, Lactaid.  Yes, I am a lactard...meaning I am lactose intolerant.  And yes, it stinks, but oh my goodness, Lactaid is the best thing ever!!!

My wallet.
You can never go wrong with bringing your wallet.  I mean, you gotta have meals....and souvenirs, right?  And who doesn't take their library card with them wherever they go???

Camera and charger.
Because there WILL be selfies on this trip.

Cell phone and charger.
I didn't want to pack my cell phone, because I wanted to disconnect from the world for the weekend.  But, as my mom reminded me, I'll be traveling without my family, and I need to take it in case of emergency.  So I recorded some music I've been working on to play as I try to sleep at night and on the bus.

Earphones.
Because you don't disturb everyone around you on a bus.  Otherwise you'll feel trapped for twelve hours.  :)

Sunglasses and cases.
I love my sunglasses, and what astigmatism-plagued teenager leaves without her glasses cases?  I mean seriously!

Hair gel/bobby pins.
Promise found me some AWESOME hair gel (which I love so much!!), and I have a small jar (yes, an entire jar) full of bobby pins.  I would never leave without these things!

A bracelet.
I'll be honest, I just love the thing and I want to make sure it's okay.  It's sparkly, big, and I think it will go great with my favorite maxi skirt.

Hand sanitizer.
A friend got me a pocket-sized bottle of hand sanitizer a few years ago, and I regret to say I've never used it once.  I'm packing it for this trip though, because I am NOT coming back sick...

Makeup.
As tribute to Prommy, I've saved this for last.  :)
The same friend who got me the hand sanitizer got me a little pouch (heaven knows I love little pouches...).  I store my makeup in it when I'm traveling.  I've packed my eyeshadow, foundation, highlighter and bronzer, blush, and mascara in it.

And that's everything that's in my backpack!  And yes, I can still lift it...kind of... :)  I'm super excited for this trip.  I'll be packing tomorrow, and maybe I'll write my packing essentials.  The weather at our destination is supposed to be snowy and cold, so this really is an adventure for me -- packing for cold weather!!!  But, I'm excited nonetheless.  <3

Have a fantastical day, guys!!!

~ Gracieeee