I still can’t believe it’s happening. Something that has been a dream of mine for longer than I can remember, is ACTUALLY happening. I’m currently sitting on the plane, handsome boyfriend beside me playing his ‘PSVITA’ (I got in trouble for calling it a gameboy :P), somewhere over Canada, or maybe the States, enroute to London BABY. (Be prepared for MANY Friends references over the next 4 months.)

Today started with pedicures and lunch with my wonderful Mama and 4 of my best friends, Sidney, Caylie, Erin and Michella. We drank mimosas, got pampered, had a great lunch, and had some wonderful baby Chloe cuddles. After a little emotional ‘see you soon’, I headed to Fabutan for my pre-trip spray tan and then Sidney and I went for Thai Food at my favourite restaurant, Kaengthai Bistro on Whyte Ave. Lastly we had a quick last minute stop at Campers Village for a travel towel and then it was airport time!

Paul was already there with his Mom, Marie. His sisters, Anita and Autumn. His fraternal twin brother Raj, and Raj’s girlfriend, Nikki (I’ll admit I was a little shocked he beat me there). After checking in and taking some pictures, it was time to say goodbye.

Now, I know this has been what I’ve wanted for SO long, but it was still really emotional. If you know me at all, you know how close I am with my family. My Mom and Dad aren’t just my parents, they’re my friends, and not seeing them for 4 months is hard, no matter how much I want this. I’m thankful and lucky that my Mom decided to come visit me on my travels in the middle of August!

This will also be the longest I will go without seeing my best friend, Sidney. Sidney and I have been friends since I moved to Vegreville halfway through Grade 3. She was the first person I met, and we’ve been closer than close since then. Shes’s the sister my parents never gave me. 17 Years and Counting. I think it’s safe to say she’s stuck with me for life. 🙂

After a some tears from me, my mom, Sidney, Paul’s Mom, his sisters, Nikki, and even Raj, we headed through security. Neither Paul or myself had any issues with our bags, liquids or ANYTHING! Not even a pat down for either of us! *high five*

As we waved goodbye one last time, I turned around, looked at my handsome man and started crying again. It’s real. We’re off, and I won’t see most of my loved ones for 4 months.

To all my family, friends and followers, I love you and I’m so very excited you’re on this journey with me.

ARE YOU READY!?!?!
It’s going to be one hell of an adventure.

‘Til later…
Ciao!

Alysha
❤

 

T-1 Day!

It’s still hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that in 1 day I’ll be boarding a plane and leaving the country….for 4 months! How am I feeling? Welllll, EXCITED is an understatement, but overall I’m feeling good! Prepared. Which is weird for me. I never usually feel this ready to go on a trip. I always feel like I’m scrambling to get all the loose ends tied up. Maybe it’s because I’ve been planning this for months? Who knows, but I really just want it to be Saturday!

RUBES

Wanderers, Meet Rubes, my Travel Buddy for the next 4 months!

Some of you may recognize him as Rubeus Hagrid from Harry Potter. I like to think of him as the more magically inclined cousin of the Travelocity Gnome.

Rubes here was a birthday gift from my brother Justin, who knows how much I love Harry Potter, and who insisted that I take him with me on my trip.  Luckily, he just so happens to fit in my bag and will be coming along with me on my travels. Stay tuned for photos of his adventures and shenanigans!

PACKING UPDATE

I am officially packed!

I feel like I’ve packed and unpacked this bag about 50 times. Had to take a few things out because the first time I packed this bag, it was quite literally busting at the seams. So, I took out 1 shirt, 1 dress, 1 pair of pants and 1 bathing suite. You’d be surprised how much space that created. But like I said in my previous post, space in this bag is prime real estate. It’s hard to believe that this is all I will have with me for the next 4 months. I actually get a little anxiety when I think about it, but I’m also a bit excited! There is something so liberating about packing up and leaving everything behind. SO BRING IT ON! I’m ready to explore this big beautiful world.

‘Till later…

Ciao!

Alysha
❤

 

I spent yesterday in Vegreville with my family for Father’s Day. If you know anything about me, you know how much I love my family and spending time with them. It was a great day, aside from the hail that pummeled my vehicle just as we got into town. Luckily there was no hail damage, but it was painful to watch!

When Paul and I got home, I decided to be ambitious and start packing my backpack. Honestly, thank the Lord I had him helping me. My emotions were all over the map and I quickly went from, “Yes, I can do this, we’ll roll everything and it will all fit!” to “I am never going to be able to fit everything I need in this bag!” in a matter of mear minutes. My man kept me calm and searched videos on how to ‘ranger roll’ all my clothes. If you don’t already know how to do this, you need to. Seriously a space saver when you have a very limited amount of said space. Had he not been there, I would have probably started crying and called my mom who would have told me to figure it out or take things back. And of course I can’t do that!

I still haven’t been able to fit EVERYTHING in my bag, and I have a few last minute things I need to pick up before I will be completely done, but I keep telling myself that I will make it work. I will fit it all in and we’ll be good to go, but I’m still nervous. This is the smallest bag I have EVER traveled with, but I swear, I’ll be a pro by the end of it.

T-5 DAYS PEOPLE!!

I’ll post again, when I successfully pack my bag.

‘Till later..
Ciao!

Alysha
❤

It feels like just yesterday I was saying it was 40 days until I leave, and here we are..12 days away! (Holy shit!!!!!)

Now that we’re getting down to the wire, I suppose I should start laying out and deciding what I should be packing for my 4 months abroad right?

It should be noted, that I’ve very much dislike packing. Which is ironic considering how much I love to travel. But packing has, and always will be my least favorite travel activity.

I’m also a chronic overpacker. I’m your typical “Well I don’t know what I’m going to want to wear” girl when it comes to packing. That, in turn means I usually have a giant suitcase full of clothes, half of which I probably won’t even pull out on my trip.

This however, is a very different trip, with a substantially smaller suitcase, so I am being much more strategic in the packing choices I’m making.

I mentioned before that I’m a very organized person and a planner so, of course, I made a list to help with my packing situation.

I should point out that this is page 1 of 2, however, page 2 consists mostly of first aid kit supplies and electronics. At this point, I’m more concerned with clothing.

I have read several blogs about how to pack for long trips, and talked to my girl Shay about what are some of the important things I should be taking. I think it’s definitely good to get an idea of what you should pack, but in the end, it’s your trip, and everyone is different, so the above list is what I believe will be what I need for where I’m going. Ask me in 4 months if I made the right choices though!

Now, I’m going to be going to two different climates throughout my trip so Shay’s first suggestion was versatility, and to be sure to take something I won’t be heart broken to leave behind. For example, take a cheap cardigan I am okay with leaving somewhere in Europe as I likely won’t need it when I’m in Abu Dhabi or Thailand. And take tops that can double as club tops, etc. Space in my bag is prime real estate, so I’m trying my best to downsize, downsize, downsize.

I went on a shopping trip with my beautiful Mama yesterday, and below is a picture of the haul! Believe it or not, I still don’t have all the clothes I need! I don’t have much left however. A pair of runners, a pair of fancier flip flops, a pair of jeans, one more pair of pants, a black cardigan, a black pair of shorts, a couple t-shirts, one sweater, 2 more pairs of capris, socks, and underwear! Soooo, maybe I have to get more than I thought. But overall, I think I did pretty well.

I’ve come to terms with the fact that no matter how prepared you are, no matter how much planning you do, you are always going to have that feeling like you’re forgetting something. That’s okay though, cause honestly I can buy it if I need it right? It just sucks having to spend the money.

Now comes the task of fitting it all in my bag. Hopefully the packing fairies will be on my side for that one!

‘Till later…
Ciao!

Alysha ❤

 

I was recently reading a blog post by The Fernweh Wolf titled “How To Live Outside Your Comfort Zone.” As you can probably imagine, she gives you tips on how to live outside your comfort zone. Simple things like saying yes more, starting a new hobby or embracing change. As June 25 gets closer and closer, and things are starting to get more real, I’m trying to embrace the uncomfortable feeling I have in my stomach about leaving everything behind. About stepping out of my comfort zone.

Don’t get me wrong, I am excited beyond measure, but it’s also a lot of change really really fast. One day I’ll have a house with roommates I see everyday, a closet full of clothes, and my parents only an hours drive away. And the next I’ll have no house, no roommates, one suitcase full of all necessities, and my parents will be on the other side of the world. That’s scary is it not? 

But while always being someone who is generally open to change and will embrace new and exciting opportunities…it thrills me and fuels my excitement. We often get so caught up in our jobs, or drama with our friends and family, that we forget to enjoy what change and new opportunities can bring. You never know what will happen or who you will meet when you start putting your toes in the sand outside your comfy bubble. 

I guess what I’m trying to say, is that I’m scared…but I will not let that stop me from embarking on this adventure. I’m going to embrace my fear, and dive head first into the unknown…outside of my comfort zone. 

Care to join me? 🙂

‘Till later…

Ciao! 

Alysha ❤