10 Things Tuesday: Traveling with Cystic Fibrosis

Hello from Roma, Italia!

Last month, I boarded a plane to spend eight days in Rome. This isn't my first time traveling with cystic fibrosis and certainly won't be my last. And while I'm definitely not an expert, I've had my fair share of traveling oops-es over the years. As a result, I have learned a few tips to making your vacation both safe and enjoyable when dealing with a chronic illness.

For someone who has physical limitations or takes 20+ medications a day, the idea of travel can be terrifying. Being away from your routine, the extra walking, how on God's green earth you are going to pack and carry all of your medicine and supplies... It's no small feat, but that doesn't mean you can't still do it! You just need a little extra effort on the front end.

1. Forget crossing your Ts and dotting your Is... The most important letter is P! Plan, prepare and pack ahead of time. Like... way ahead of time. 

The most important aspects of traveling with a chronic illness are to plan ahead and be prepared. Honestly, most of the next nine tips are some variation of this. I'll get into more details as they pertain to certain issues such as carry-ons, accommodations, itineraries and travel buddies, but the very first step is to pack your bag.. and pack it early! I am literally probably the worst packer in the history of the mankind. If you have any doubt, ask my sister Jenny who during one trip, managed to repack my one full size and two carry-on size suitcases into just one full and one carry-on because she's a wizard like that. She will probably say otherwise... but I have gotten slightly better over the years. One thing I did in getting ready for my trip to Rome that significantly reduced my pre-trip anxiety was that I packed every single one of my medications and supplies five days before I boarded the plane, the earliest I ever have! Doing this so early ensured that I could take my time and make sure that I had everything I needed and it fit into my bags. It also gave me several days to mull it over and remember the extra items that I didn't think about the first run through. Far too many times have I packed the night before or even morning of a trip, and 12 hours later when I'm already on my way, remembered something else I needed. This time, I can say with complete confidence that I had every single thing I needed. Looking ahead at my next adventures, I'm going to make it a habit to at least pack these medical essentials well in advance, even if I still have some room for improvement on the whole packing-way-too-many-clothes-at-the-last-minute thing.

10 Thing Tuesday: Things I'm Looking Forward to in June

I've always liked weekly blog features (make-it Monday, wordless Wednesday, thankful Thursday, etc). Sometimes, I think blogs can get a little out of hand and chaotic with just random post after post. Weekly themes are a good way to keep some stability and organization. It keeps it from getting overwhelming.

One in particular I love reading each week is 10 Thing Tuesday by Lauren Conrad. I absolutely adore Lauren Conrad, (post Laguna Beach, of course). She is classy, stylish, freaking gorgeous and incredibly successful. I just love her. And each week, she does a list of ten favorites, tips, or just whatever. This week was a "Summer Bucket List." Other recent weeks included Tips to Improve Your Focus, Green Cleaning, Favorite Immune Boosting Foods, Style Tips, etc. It always a unique and interesting topic and just fun to read.

I probably won't be that exciting, but I definitely want to start my own 10 Thing Tuesday. I'm going to keep it simple this week, though I am certainly open to suggestions or requests for future weeks!

With no further ado, my first 10 Thing Tuesday.

"Ten Things I am Looking Forward to in June"

1. Working at the Kenny Chesney concert with one of my best friends. Ashley and I were asked to work at a promotions booth for A Step in Time Chimney Sweep, a local sponsor for the venue. The show is June 6th at the Virginia Beach Amphitheater (it was renamed to Farm Bureau Live a few years ago, but we all know it's the amphitheater and always will be). We work for about two hours, get paid $40 and then get free lawn admission to the show in time to see the headliner. Pretty good gig, if you ask me. And, since I actually already have a ticket to the concert, I can resell it and make even more money! Holla. 
2. Wearing sundresses. I love dresses, so much. I have entirely too many in my closet. And I am SO excited that it's finally warm enough to wear them. It's a silly girl thing, but I just love them. They makes me feel pretty and happy. 
3. Beautiful weather and summer drives. Obviously, warm weather is a given plus for the summertime. Everyone likes sunshine. My favorite part though? Driving with the windows down and feeling the breeze. Having a good song playing from the stereo helps too :) 
4. Saturday Flea Market in Olde Towne, Portsmouth. I've heard about the flea market in Portsmouth. It's the first Saturday of every month in the historical Olde Towne district. I went once back in March, but it was so cold that I only stayed for a few minutes. I've been waiting for the weather to cooperate enough that I can go again without getting hypothermia. Well, it's suppose to be 90 and slightly cloudy this upcoming Saturday so I'm going to give it another shot. I haven't been to a flea market in a few years so I'm definitely excited. 
5. A. My summer classes. I'm actually really excited to see how my summer classes develop. They are both Public Relations classes and I love the class material. Both classes have pretty creative final projects as well, so those will be interesting.
   B.  The end of my summer classes, ha. As exciting and interesting as they might be, I'm definitely looking forward to June 27th which is the end of the semester. Not dealing with the midtown tunnel at 4pm, four days a week... yeah, def excited about that one. I'll have about 7 weeks off from school before fall term starts. As much as I love school, it will be a much needed and appreciated break. 
6. Beach trips/pool days. There is nothing I love more about a hot summer day than picking out a bikini and soaking up some rays on the sand or poolside. 
7. Putting my Kindle to good use. I recently got a Kindle and it's quite lovely. I have already finished three books, which is more than I have in the past five months. I downloaded about two dozen free books the other night; some classics, some new. It'll be fun to get back into reading, especially on those lovely pool days.
8. Enjoying my first summer as a 21 year old. I'm not really a big partier or drinker, but I am definitely excited about finally being old enough to enjoy a beer on a warm summer night. There is always something going on at the bars in the summer. I'm looking forward to spending some nights out on the town with friends. 
9. Hopefully, meeting the beautiful little miss Makayla Lilly Meents. One of my absolute favorite people recently welcomed her first daughter into the world. Unfortunately, between finals and then summer semester starting up so quickly, I haven't had a chance to drive down to Jacksonville to see them. I am really hoping to take a weekend in June to go visit and see Alyssa, Jesse and their little princess. 
10. SAND SOCCER. Aaaahhh, last but certainly not least. Sand soccer is one of the single greatest weekends of my entire year. A whole weekend of soccer, sunshine, and sand. And I always see tons of old friends. It's just awesome. I'm coaching a u15 girls team this year and my baby brother Jordan is playing on two different teams. So it'll be crazy busy, but I can't wait!