The thunder rolls... and the lightening strikes!

I could finish the entire song, but I'll spare you from that.

Anywhoodles, a massive storm passed through the city and it looks like my end of town got the brunt of it. Here's some storm pictures!

Fatty's Travel Advice: Plan ahead, have fun later!

I'm a "seasoned" traveler according to one border guard at the US CBP. I've been to the U.S. more times than I can count on my hand, but I have not been elsewhere. Sure "seasoned" should be for one who jet sets around the world, but when you don't have enough cash to do that a trip over the border for the day or a couple of days will make you well seasoned!

My trip is in 22 days and I'm already planning; I could never do a trip last minute as I usually don't have the time or the money to do a spur of the moment trip. I like planning, this way I won't forget anything!

So here we go... Fatty's Travel Advice!

1. Make a list and check it twice!
Making a list and checking it twice isn't just for Santa anymore! If I don't make a list, then I usually end up forgetting something and that sucks if it's something important such as medication. Make a list of items you need to bring with you first: medication, money (don't leave home with out it!), credit cards, clothing (what will you bring? shorts, jeans, nice pants in case you go out on the town... etc). Then make a list of items you want to bring - camera, batteries, flip flops, makeup, etc. Check before you leave and when you're in the car... you'll thank me later!


2. Travel small!
Take as little with you if you can; packing a suitcase full doesn't work... trust me, I've been there. Take as little amounts of clothes that you need with you unless you're going away for a couple of weeks. If it's just a few days you'll only need two pairs of pants, two shirts; but take extra underwear (you never know when life's little accidents may happen!) and some socks (even in the summer! AC in hotel rooms can freeze you out!).

Traveling small also doesn't start with clothes. Use small travel bottles for items such as shampoo, toothpaste, etc. If you're flying this is a must as it's a rule regulated by the FAA; driving you're not restricted, but it's always great to free up your luggage. You can purchase a package of clear travel bottles in the travel section of the beauty section in your local drugstore; usually they run from $3-5 depending on how many bottles come in the package. Since my hairspray is in a metal bottle and I cannot open it, I usually have the ones for shampoo/conditioner, and facial cleanser. Small bottles are way better than lugging your huge ones with you! If there are items that you cannot transfer to the smaller ones (anything that comes in an unopenable original bottle) you can always buy them in the travel section of the beauty department or buy them once you get to your destination.

WalMart actually has pre-assembled travel bags for $4.99! It comes with everything - shampoo, conditioner, razor, facial cleanser, Kleenex, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, body wash, wet ones. I still have the case it all came in and it's perfect to reuse!


3. Bottled water... and lots of it!
Here is where you can use your reusable bottles! Fill the bottles and then freeze them... it takes nearly a day to un-thaw, but there's always plenty of water as it melts! Make sure to leave the lid off when it's freezing and leave some room before the top of the inside of the bottle. If you fill it too full and then freeze it, you run a risk of breaking the bottle as the water expands.

And when you bring water....


4. Bring a cooler!

A small travel cooler will fit perfectly in the back or front seats; make sure you stop off at a gas station or grocery store to fill with ice on the back! A larger one would be great in the trunk (if you have room) if you plan to bring back perishable groceries!


5. Travel Insurance... don't leave home without it!
This should be a no brainer! You must, must, MUST get travel insurance before you leave the country. Your health insurance you have through work or school might not cover any expenses if something should happen to you outside of your home country; same with provincial health plans. Call your health insurance provider a few weeks before your travel date to check. Travel insurance is available at CAA, through your bank (call first) and even your credit card companies (depending on what type of credit card you have, give them a call!)


6. Think safety!
Take a safety kit with you! Don't forget the First Aid kit! Also create a car kit... I have one in my trunk stashed in a crate I bought at Wal-Mart. What's in it? Engine Oil (5W-30 & 10W-30), fluids - windshield, transmission, coolant/antifreeze, 4L empty milk jug of water (for your radiator in case you over heat). Funnels for the fluids (one for oils and one for washer fluid), glow sticks (the camping ones, not the ones you use for fun), tire gauge. Learn how to top up oils and learn how to check tire pressure (remember to follow the recommended manufacture tire pressure for your vehicle -usually located in the manual if you still have it, or on the door jam of the driver or passenger door). These tasks are very easy to do!

Next blog post... traveling on down the road - your road trip to the U.S.!

Fatty Needs: Vacation Edition

I'm making a list of things I need to purchase before my trip in a couple of weeks. Here are a few things I am going to purchase:

Travel Insurance: I don't leave home without it!

Passport wallet: I could probably do without, but it would be nice to put my passport in a wallet that I can carry with me.

Neck pillow: I've heard these save your neck when you're traveling! My neck is always sore when I sleep in the car, so this will definitely help!

iTunes card... necessity. Download some new tunes for travel!

Office ramblings

I'm writing this post from the lunchroom on my break; yes it's early in the morning, but this is the time I have to take it. I am now going to start going elsewhere other than sitting in front of the computer on my break. This room is nice.

Yesterday as the day was coming to a close, my supervisor was looking for white out. She asked where it was and I told her that there are anymore; there is one on our desk but we have to share it amongst four people. She replied that she had some brought up three weeks ago and wanted to know what we did with them (all in an accusatory tone). I pointed out that as soon as we walk away, someone comes and takes them (note that she keeps taking my marker, pens, and pencils when she comes to my desk to do something and then walks away with it without giving them back).

My coworker looks at me after our supervisor left and said, "Are you kidding me? Yes, we ate them all! We were hungry! What a joke!"

Yeah, it's our fault they're missing. So now my stuff is locked in my desk, and I carry my pen with me all the time. Rediculous.

In other news, I have not touched the credit card since I blogged about the challenge; go me! I'm pretty proud of my self. I want that trip so badly! It is hard... I will give you that. I was looking at Payless' website last night to see what they have in stock so I can see items of what I might want to buy when I'm on my trip... I wanted to go to the store and buy things!

I have a yummy lunch, left overs from last night. Chicken caccitore; my aunt makes it for me whenever I'm at her place, so I thought I would try it myself! After a huge saucy mess, it turned out awesome! And yummy!

It's Britney, bitch!

I got my ticket in the mail today! I always told myself that if Britney ever came here or anywhere near here (and it didn't cost me much), I would go..

She's coming with in 500km of here, and I'm going! Yee haw!