I am spending six weeks in New York this summer!!!!
Five of those weeks consist of training for ballet at American Academy of Ballet in Westchester, and one of those weeks consists of walking the streets of NYC with my lovely Mother! I know, pretty amazing! I will fly for the first time, by myself. I will train for hours and hours a day, six days a week, for five weeks (longer than any other ballet intensives I've attended). I will see Broadway and the Empire State building and so much more!
I AM SO EXCITED!!!!
But, I need your help! One, traveling tips. I pretty much pack everything except that random beanbag in the corner, so I need advice on how to cram as much stuff as possible in two suitcases. And also, flying. I don't feel scared, but just a little, how do you say it, uncertain. Yes. Uncertain. Tips? Encouragement? And then I really want any recommendations and tips for New York City itself. What are the best and cheapest restaurants, shops, museums, etc? What shoes can I wear to look both fashionable and not-in-pain? What about easy and chic purses? Lasting make-up? Other general traveling ideas and tips?
But not only do I need help with the traveling, but I want to know how to keep up the blog while far away. Do you have any tips on how to manage social media ahead of time, especially because my wifi will be iffie. How about blogging on the go? Go-to photo editing apps for an iPhone?
I know that I asked so many questions, but this is so new to me. I've dreamed of going to New York City as my senior trip for the longest time, and I want to have the best time ever! (And don't worry, I will keep all of you updated and showered with pictures!) But, even more than NYC, I am excited for God's plan for me, and how New York plays into His Story as I encounter new people from varying backgrounds. I get such a unique opportunity to spend five weeks with lots of different people, and I want to leave an everlasting impression! So my last question for you lovely people is this: how do you keep Jesus and His kingdom your focus even when you have very little time to spend strictly with God?
Thank you all in advance for any advice posted in the comments! Don't feel like you have to answer all of the questions, for I will appreciate even a little tidbit from you kindred spirits! And keep posted for a post about my favorite two words as well as a guest post!
Princess Hannah
THAT IS SO AWESOME! Six weeks in New York? My family went there once but we were only staying for a day! :DDD
ReplyDeleteAs for traveling tips: pretty much put all of the practical things (clothes, tooth brushes, etc.) you will need in the suitcases first, and then if you still have space, then go ahead and place whatever else you think you may need! Use the space wisely; if you reason out the space just right then it will be fine. But also if you are going to bring a lot of things, make a list. I try not to bring too much stuff as I tend to sometimes forget their places, and it's a burden for me.
Flying isn't as bad as it seems. It's actually quite peaceful, but trying not to hyperventilate or else it will give you a headache (as I tend to get on planes) or if you don't light heights or that lurching feeling in your stomach when the plane first rises off the ground, don't take the window seat. I don't know how long the flight is for you or whether the plane will have TV sets behind the seats or entertainment, but bring something that will help you pass the time. Music and books are always good, as well as bringing something to write. Sometimes they have wifi on board but you have to pay. If all else fails, try to sleep. :) And if you aren't fond of trail mix, then don't ask for some, because about 70% of the time that's what the snacks are on the plane. This comes from who has been on numerous airplane trips and will be embarking on one again this summer to a place with little wifi or air conditioning. :( :P
I know it's a long comment, but I hope this helps!
xoxo Morning
Gosh, um, I didn't realize that you had a second paragraph of questions and it's bothering me not to answer. (I'm weird like that :P). Get apps for all of your social medias on your side bar. For photo editing apps, get something like VSCO Cam, Afterlight, and/or BeFunky. And I'm afraid you'll have to schedule some posts; if the wifi is iffy that's the only option. Don't get the Blogger app because it doesn't save your posts (as learned from personal experience).
DeleteWait, scratch that, there is another option. I think if you go to your Blogger Dashboard > Settings and I think Post and Comments, you can set up like an address, like a little Blogger email, which, depending on your settings for that option, can either save the post as a draft OR publish it! I'm on my iPad so I can't give specific instructions, but I know you can set that in the Settings area. Lemme know if you need any other help!
xoxo Morning
Thank you so much!!!!! And the plane advice really helps! Trail mix, who knew? And I will check out those blogger recommendations as well. Yes, I will have to schedule some posts. I already have some material that I can put together this month. I also really want to get VSCO, although I already have Afterlight.
DeleteWhere are you going? A mission trip?
Again ,thank you so much!
Thanks! :D I don't personally have VSCO because my phone's software isn't up to date and VSCO doesn't support that software version any more, but when I use it on my friends' phones, it's awesome. I don't want to disclose where I am going. I wish it was a missions trip, but my family isn't called to do one... but where I am going, it is a place in Asia that does not have AC or wifi connection, unless you go and spend the day in the malls!
Deletexoxo Morning
I see about the VSCO. And wherever you go, I wish and pray for you to have joy (despite no AC and wifi!)
DeleteThat's SO awesome, Hannah! I'm so excited for you!
ReplyDeleteI've never been to NYC, so I can't be of much help! But some things that are helpful is making sure you get to the airport with a lot of time to spare, because delays and getting lost happens (also don't be afraid to ask security/staff for help and directions)! As for blogging, one tip is that you can plan out your blog posts ahead of time (even writing the whole post in a notebook), and then when you do have wifi access all you need to do is type it up. I'm hopefully going to be making a blog post or two about traveling soon, because I'm leaving for America next week! :O
Again, so excited to hear about your fun summer plans! It'll be great to hear about your adventure.
Thank you! And yes, I am very excited! And your trip sounds amazing! Where will you be going? (It would be so weird if our paths crossed!) And yes, my mom said to get to the airport early, and I plan on having a few planned posts. I look forward to seeing your traveling posts!
DeleteThis is so exciting! I hope everything goes smoothly :)
ReplyDeleteAs for the questions... Well, I haven't traveled much so I'm not much help with that... But about blogging and social media? I like the photo editing app VSCO cam. I also use Instagram to edit my photos. Its not the best, but its pretty fast. And I believe you can schedule blog posts with blogger... I'm not really sure how well it works though, I've never used it.
Thank-you very much! And I think that I need to get VSCO, everyone seems to love it! And I've scheduled posts before, and it's not that hard; you only have to check the time zone.
DeleteThis sounds so awesome! congrats on the trip, you'll have so much fun. I've only ever been to New York once so I can't really offer any advice in that area, but what I can say is to schedule all your blog posts. If you don't want to just take a break and leave your blog for the trip (which is a viable option) then you should schedule posts ahead of time. Believe me, I've travelled and blogged before and you don't want to be stuck in a situation where there is something you want to do but you feel like you can't because you need to get a blog post done. Schedule all your posts before you even leave if you can, and then post along the way if you feel like there are details of your trip you want to share. You'll have so much fun! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank-you so much for the comment! And yes, I need to work hard before I leave to get several posts scheduled. I see what you're saying, and I definitely don't want to be stressed!
DeleteSWEET GUMMY BEARS HANNAH THAT IS THROUGH-THE-ROOF FANTASTICCC!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!! (and no I'm not jealous at all why would you think that)
ReplyDeleteHmm, those are all great questions. I know the lovely author of Lynde Avenue devoted an entire post to answering the question on flying/traveling/packing tips. It's a great resource to look into:)
And as for finding time for Jesus when you feel like there's just not enough time to begin with... Set a timer with your maximum time and STICK WITH IT. You can only do 10 minutes? Spend half of it reading his word, and half of its journaling/praying. This is just an example, but I know it's so helpful for me to have a game plan when I'm not at leisure to spend 45 minutes on my quiet time;) and then for the rest of the day, keeping him your focus can be SO HARD, I know! Try writing a characteristic of God on your hand to meditate on all day, or put a verse as your phone background. Simple things like that spread throughout the day can make all the difference;)
Girlfriend I'm so excited for you!!!! Can't wait to hear alllllll about it =D I can already tell that God will use this trip in big ways.
Aw, thanks Chloe!!!!!
DeleteI love that blog and will look into that link, thanks! And yes, I think that a timer might work, or at least a strict time set, for it is so easy to let things slip under the bed when life seems to rush around you. And I always mean to try those reminder things (writing on hand/ phone background) but I never actually get around to doing them... Now's the time, right?
Thank you so much! Your excitement makes me even more joyful!! I will keep you guys updated as much as possible during the trip, but I will definitely tell you all about it when I get back!
This is my first time on your blog and I wanted to start my comment by saying how lovely your design is!
ReplyDeleteTraveling is such an awesome opportunity! I hope it all goes well. My little piece of advice for traveling is to have a few posts pre-made so you can throw them up easily when you get busy or tired (which you most certainly will be especially when you're first settling in).
Thank you so much! Your blog is just wonderful too!
DeleteAnd scheduling seems to be the reoccurring piece of advice! I will work on that this month, since I don't leave until late June. And yes, with such long days, I will be quite tired, although I will probably also come home even more exhausted!
(Yes, I realize that I'm probably commenting on way too many things and spamming you. My apologies. But I seriously love your blog!!)
ReplyDeleteNow, with that out of the way-
Oh my goodness, a ballet intensive in New York!! Congratulations!! That's amazing!!! Totally not jealous. Whaaaaaat?
I'm horrible about packing too much, so I can't help you with that. I do have some advice, makeup wise- get the ELF makeup setting spray. It's under $5 and has saved my life on sooooooo many occasions- can't recommend it enough!!!
For blogging, I have to echo what everyone else has said- schedule, schedule, schedule!! I always end up doing that when I know that I'll be out of town or extremely busy, and it's a lifesaver.
xoxo
Grace Anne
I will never have enough comments, Grace! And thank you for reading my blog! Once I get back home k shall joyfully read yours!
DeleteThe make up spray sounds very promising! ELF rocks! And yes, I do need to write some scheduled posts. I will work on that when I return too. God's grace be with you!