Hello from Amsterdam! After a long trip – one that included traffic, a layover, an overnight flight with hardly any sleep, missed trains, and getting lost trying to find my hotel – I made it to my hotel this morning and had a chance to enjoy this lovely city.
Let me back up though, and share with you a post I wrote en route to Chicago yesterday (I had to pause and figure out if it was technically earlier today, yesterday or two days ago – that’s what travel and no sleep will do to ya 😉 ).
Remembering 9/11
Though I don’t want to get too into it and freak myself out on a day when I’m flying, I want to at least recognize that it’s 9/11. I can’t believe it has been 12 years already since that horrible day that has forever impacted America. Like most people, I’ll never forget where I was and how it felt. It still makes my heart hurt when I think about it. Growing up in New Jersey, I was pretty close to it all, though fortunate to not personally know anyone who died that day. The memory of first seeing the New York skyline billowing with smoke after it happened is forever in my brain. Sitting on a plane thinking about what happened on those planes, I just want to send my love to anyone reading this who lost a loved one in the attacks.
Food
Onto a lighter topic, I wound up packing what the airline deems as too much stuff – and this is not the first time my luggage has been overweight! Damn it. I had a hunch it was too heavy before I left for the airport, so while I left a few things at home for my hubby to bring in his suitcase instead, I just knew I’d still be over. What can I say, I’m not the best packer and I suppose I’m a brat who likes to have clothing options and all of my usual things available when I travel!
Speaking of packing, I brought some healthy snacks along with me in my (overweight) suitcase. There always seem to be times while traveling when I just need a snack or quick meal, and I find it easier to bring some food with me in those instances, instead of trying to find a healthy bite to eat on-the-go. On this trip, I also was thinking about the possibility that I might find myself in a place where there’s absolutely nothing vegetarian. Here’s what I packed:
- Bars – Quest & Zing protein bars, Pure bars, and Nature Valley granola bars
- Cashews
- Fruit leather
- Chocolate hazelnut butter single serving packs (I’m thinking I can nab a banana or apple for a nutritious snack)
It may seem like a lot of snacks, but my usually hungry husband will be joining me for some of the trip, and he can put down 3 bars in a mere few minutes!
Exercise
As I talk about often, I enjoy constantly switching up my workouts because it keeps my brain interested and my body challenged. A couple of months ago I began using the rowing machine at my gym, and I loved it from the start.
Sometimes I’ll put together different exercise routines that incorporate rowing. They’re usually somewhat short, and since they generally wind up being interval workouts that work the entire body, they’re also effective. I feel like I’m getting the most bang for my buck on days when I don’t have a ton of time, as rowing quickly gets my heart rate soaring. Recently a rowing routine of mine was published on Girls Gone Sporty. If you’re looking for a new workout to try, check it out here!
Questions for you:
Has your luggage ever been overweight when flying?
What are your thoughts on rowing – love it, hate it, never tried it?Â
I’ve never tried rowing before because I thought it looked boring, but your workout doesn’t sound boring at all. Maybe I’ll give it a shot!
Oh thanks Ali, hope that you try it!
Wow, Amsterdam! You’re going to have so much fun. My luggage has never been overweight but I was really close when coming back from China in July!
That’s a great feeling when you just make the luggage weight restrictions!