Types of Travelers

There are all kinds of people in this world. When traveling by plane you are often able to experience an array of individuals who are different from you. Today, I am reminded of some of my favorite traveling friends.

Types of travelers:

1. The techie. This guy (or gal) has headphones that encroach on the neighboring seat. His tablet is somehow always easily accessible, along with the flip out keyboard that has appeared before the overhead bins are closed. He always accesses the in-flight WiFi faster than I realize the flight is equipped with it; and he is watching a movie (that I didn’t see on the in-flight list?) while I’m still deciding if I should approve the GoGo app as my Kindle has flagged it as dangerous.

2. The pusher. We all know the pusher, the person who looks like they need starting blocks to be at the front of their zone. Everyone wishes they would consider springing for priority boarding next time. They never seem to care that this embarrassing behavior drastically increases their time in a cramped, germ-invested place. They also break rank upon arrival by getting into the aisle and pushing to the front instead of following suit and filing out like sane people.

3. The snacker. (Ahem, my category.) This person packs what seems to be full meals in a bag you assumed was his or her work laptop. At the most random times we pull out nuts, bars and various food items you didn’t realize were TSA-approved. When the cart does come by we politely decline, above such things, while the person next to us looks sideways and says, “pretzels please.”

4. The one with the kid(s). These people have my utmost respect. Today, after I wedged into my window seat with barely any room behind my bulging laptop bag (because, hello, snacks) I thought, “What if I had my 16 month old son on my lap right now?” My deodorant kicked in at the mere thought. He would LOSE it if he were cramped up on my lap surrounded by people he didn’t know where he couldn’t run around. It is an experience I have no desire to live. Mad props to all of you fearless warriors who board with children. You deserve priority status.

5. The business man. Suit, newspaper, sophisticated way about him. You know him... just not well cause he’s usually sipping a gin and tonic in first-class as you smack him with your overstuffed carry on... which leads me to the next one.

6. The carry-on over-packer. I know the world has crumbled since we’ve had to start paying for checked bags. I get that you want to pocket the $25 to cover the cost of a Starbucks coffee on your next layover. But please don’t make us all suffer as we watch you pretend like your bag will fit in the overhead bin. Lay down your pride, and take it to the stewardess up front. She’ll pink tag you to your destination.

7. The college student. Often clad in sweats, something that passes for shoes but are typically used as inside wear, an iPhone, and headphones that appear to be one with their every move. They’re sleeping before the seatbelt demonstration regardless of what time your flight is.

8. The talker. They’re usually extra smiley in the airport waiting area, looking to acquire targets via returned smiles. Extroverts to the full, they can’t wait to meet someone new and share life stories. Theirs is often thrilling because they spend their life seeking new people, new experiences, and generally loving life. It’s not that I don’t want to be like them, I just don’t really want to sit next to them.

9. The introvert. The one who fears the talker. Should they end up next to them they will resort to hoods, headphones, and when all else fails pretends to sleep to avoid conversation (even if it means missing the beverage cart.) This person will adopt an attire and attitude not their own simply to avoid being pegged for conversation.

10. Lastly, we have the sleeper. Everyone closes their eyes once and while on the plane. After all, there’s not a lot to do. But there are those among us committed to sleep. Neck pillow, eye mask, blanket in tow, they suffer the reprimands of a reclined seat before take off and begrudgingly rise to join us for our ascension. But we know it is short lived. When elevation is reached they’ll pretend that a 2’x2’ area is the perfect place to catch some z’s.

Personally, I’m grateful for the variety. It gives me something to watch while I snack on my homemade trail mix.

Happy travels.

Take Five

Sometimes you just need a minute, ya know? Or five. Or 20. Or 120 so that you can fit in both the massage and the long overdue manicure.

I have been taking a lot of needed minutes. It's left an unwanted hiatus in my small blogosphere world, but the trade off would have been doing so out of obligation, and that's certainly not why I do this.

The good news about taking a month to regroup, enjoy the holidays, and get some extra time with family is the wealth of content that children give you in a month. I hope you had as many wonderful holiday moments as we did!

On one of our 158 (or so) Christmas celebrations - the one that was just me, my husband and the kiddos - we filled stockings for the first time. I bought roughly 30 fruit bars from Trader Joe's accompanied by some stuffed friends and other fun treats. I could not wait to see the look on my three year old's face when she dumped it all out. It did not disappoint. She took out every single thing, including the new toothbrush, with a look of awe, a huge gasp, and then proudly held it up to us with a gigantic smile and declaration of excitement. It was amazing. Our 16 month old never moved beyond the first fruit bar, which he promptly ate and then moved onto the playing with bags and the like.

The next Christmas involved a stay at Pop Pop and Gigi's where we experienced our first  "our daughter peed her pants on your couch" situation, thanks to a riveting Daniel Tiger episode. Pop Pop and Gigi were still in the Christmas spirit and everything was fine once the cushion was cleaned and put outside (where I'm pretty sure the pee just froze into the fibers.)

After our extended stay, we returned home to a cold, but welcoming house. Layna asked for some applesauce, and as she sat at the table, sighed and said to herself, "I'm home now. It's better for me." The sentiment was echoed by her brother who gratefully greeted all the toys he left behind with his four-tooth grin and got right to business dumping them out.

The holidays are a magical time, and taking a break is such an important part of it! I'm so grateful to have all the family that we do to surround us with love and dote on our babies. We hosted and were hosted, and got to see family we don't often celebrate with. Knowing that not everyone gets to celebrate the holidays with loved ones makes it all the more precious.

At the same time, returning to normal is a magic in and of itself. Getting back to the mundane makes me grateful for the day-to-day life I get to call my own. A loving husband, two spunky kids, and a season of crazy awaiting each day. And I love it. I love being home. "It's better for me."