All I need to know I learned from my business trips

It's that time of year again. Business trip time.

I have learned a lot about packing and traveling efficiently from my current job. Among other things, it's one of the reasons I am happy that I do what I do.

Take packing: how much do you need for a month-long business/leisure trip that spans 2 continents and 4 countries? Would you think it all fits in a carry-on? I didn't, but it does. (Proof: Washington-Oregon-Italy-Germany-Switzerland Fall 2009. One very durable Samsonite rolling suitcase.)

I actually prefer to take a bigger, half-full suitcase, even if it means checking my luggage. Business trips are prime opportunities to stock up on shoes and clothes that fit, Arm & Hammer toothpaste, Aveda products, maid of honor dresses, Clif bars, Rice-A-Roni Mexican Style mix, Magic 8 balls, Swarovski crystal earrings, and other treasures from Nordstrom, Trader Joe's, and Banana Republic outlet stores.

I've now been on 8 overseas business trips and have come up with a pretty solid checklist to make packing easy and insure I don't forget anything really essential:

Passport
credit cards
driver's license
cash (these 4 are really all you need, plus the clothes on your back)
camera
phone
laptop
dressy flats
sneakers
one suit
Enough business-OK shirts, socks, undergarments, etc. to last between hotel washing machines
Yoga pants and a long sweater for days off
sunglasses/eyeglasses/contacts
swimsuit (should your business trip include Hawaii)
Puffy jacket that can be stuffed inside your luggage (should your business trip include Alaska, or Utah in February)
One set of simple jewelry: earrings, a necklace, a bracelet
Conditioner. Some hotels don't have complimentary conditioner, and I find that a fro is not acceptable for business meetings.

For a long flight, I make sure to bring these on board as carry-on:
Water
Small towel
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Face lotion and face mask. I find the dryness of airplane cabins even more unbearable than the limited leg room, Northwest Airlines flight attendants, Chicken or Beef.
Ear plugs. These make a huge difference. Have you ever noticed how LOUD an airplane is in-flight? What? You can't hear me? あんだって？
Earphones and an MP3 player, preferably loaded with a new playlist chosen by a friend with musical tastes similar to yours, or a Jack Flanders adventure.
Eye mask
Sandwich and snacks
Travel pillow. I recommend the REI self-inflating one. It has silicone grippers on the back for stability, can be half-inflated for easy folding to adjust size, and ... it's self-inflating! How cool. I have never been able to use those horseshoe-shaped pillows comfortably, but this one actually lets me take a nap.
A stylish travel wallet to organize your travel documents and foreign currency.

Interestingly, I find that I almost never read on flights. I much prefer to zone out on movies, music, or, if I can, sleep. As much as I enjoy a good novel or In Style magazine, I find it makes the time go slower. I wonder why.

Keeping packing to a minimum is essential, since I have to unpack and re-pack every few days. It feels good knowing that I can survive comfortably for weeks at a time with a simple but well-chosen set of essentials. As Antoine de Saint-Exupery, one of my favorite authors, says: He who would travel happily must travel light. Especially to make room for all the shopping I will do before I head home.

Long time, no see

It has come to my attention that this blog actually has readers, even though I haven't updated in oh, a year. Thank you, especially those of you that take the time to read through the entire archive.

I thought I didn't have anything very interesting to post, but actually, a lot has happened since December 2009.

1) I moved out of beloved Shinonome Hills. I didn't quite make it to Kamakura, but I did make it to Kamata, which kind of sounds similar.
2) I visited several new countries, a principality and a Special Administrative Region: mainland China, Hong Kong, France, and Monaco.
3) My sister got a new boyfriend, and then a new fiance, and then a new house, and in just over a month I will be the maid of honor at their wedding!
4) I started snowboarding, Tibetan Heart Yoga, and running. I used to think that if a sport didn't involve hitting something, I would not enjoy it. You never know. I have also continued to surf, though not as much as I'd like to.
5) I turned 30, lost 6 kilos, and am in better shape than I've ever been, physically and mentally.
6) I continue to enjoy my job, Tokyo, my family, my friends, my coworkers. That sounds pretty good to me.

Thanks, 2010. 2011, yoroshiku onegaishimasu. Gambarimasho.