Let’s start with feelings. 😵💫 I am anxious, I am restless, I am insecure. Also, I am energized and feeling some anticipation. All those feelings come from my upcoming trip, to Paris, with the kids. Let’s unpack.
😵💫 What am I afraid of? I honestly don’t even know. Issues? Say, an interrupted trip? Or, sick kids. Of, sick me. Or, some kind of crime? More specifically, I think I am feeling uncomfortable and anxious because it’s TRAVEL. Any kind of travel brings feelings of unease, no matter the destination.
😵💫 How can I feel better? I can prepare, of course. I can read up on Paris (example: TripAdvisor forums, etc). But what really makes me let go of the feelings of anxiety- is getting on that plane. There is no way back once you are at the airport, or even better, butt-in-the-seat.
Logistics
🧸Money – will use an ATM at Charles de Gaulle airport to get some cash since Charles Schwab doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees or ATM fees. Transport to airbnb – RER train to Chatellet and Metro. We rode the metro in Copenhagen and both kids loved it.
🧸Carry-ons only. Not sure if I will pack my “hiking” backpack or whether I will bring my duffel bag + every day backpack…. A backpack gives you BOTH HANDS FREE (important on escalators, subway, etc). A duffel bag is smaller but hangs on your shoulder and that equals pain. I do not what to purchase another bag.
🧸 Note to self- buy some snacks for the plane, i. e. pistachios, granola bars, chocolate covered nuts…
Activities
💐 L is officially signed up for piano! Trial lesson but hope she likes it. R is only in gymnastics and that’s it. T-ball is available through our town but ages 5 and up, so he has to wait.
🍊Mindful eating meditation with my students! They loved it. I sliced up an orange, distributed it to the students, and read off a script. After, we debriefed, and they reported they really liked it!
🧘 Tomorrow is an SEL day at our school! SEL stands for social-emotional learning. I prepared activities such as tapping, mindful eating and a mindful discussion.
To-dos
Not a lot of to-do items! One major one, but that will take a while. I am in process of creating a “in case of death” folder. Here is what I’m including in it:
- Will (in process of updating R’s info in our will)
- Living trust (not sure what it is, need advice)
- Power of attorney
- Life insurance policy. T has two, I have one through the state of NJ. As long as I am employed and contributing to our teacher pension, I am covered. Coverage is 3.5 times my most current salary.
- Birth certificates
- Marriage license
- Bank and credit card accounts
- Loan documents: mortgage, student loans for T and I
- Car titles
- Property deed(s)
- Account and device passwords (gmail? I don’t even know what they are…)
Anyway, it’s a work in progress. I’ll be done by summer.
Mom of Children 