Packing….. for six weeks away from home.
So, Nana’s Walkabout is about to take off – in six hours from now. Four small, last minute jobs to do and then –what isn’t done, probably won’t get done!
I am checking off my packing list and trying to keep everything to essentials. On Saturday, Warren and Lisa arranged a small family gathering with drinks and nibbles on the patio – it was a beautiful evening in Perth and nice to share some time with them, family and friends.
I came home with a very lovely, snow proof jacket that will definitely be useful when I get to the colder climes of Toronto, Montreal and the Rockies. Probably won’t need it in Miami or San Diego, though. NYC will be very exciting and with LinkedIn, Twitter MeetUp groups – I have no worries about being on my own for too long and there are dozens of wonderful museums, Zoos and tours to fill up my days. It’s going to be a lot of fun! It’s a big trip from #Oz and I will be meeting many new people and sharing their lives – sometimes for a couple of hours, sometimes for a few days. There will be many stories for this Nana to tell and we are set up for mobile blogging.
My itinerary…… for quick reference
This is a quick check list of where and when I will be in different cities – so, if we can catch up, please just drop me a note. You can connect on Twitter
I am on LinkedIn and Stories My Nana Tells is on Facebook too I would love to meet you in my travels.
Los Angeles – April 26 (Tue) – 28 (Thu)
- Exhibiting all day on April 27, at the Women’s Small Business Expo, The Ayres Hotel, 1440 Hindry Ave, Hawthorne, Manhattan Beach LA. http://www.womenssmallbusinessexpo.com/
- Have booked in a MeetUp at El Cholo Restaurant in South Flower Street, LA (6:30pm April 28) http://www.elcholo.com/asp/site/DowntownLA/index.asp?Location=5
- Have pencilled in a meeting with Mike Shields (LinkedIn)
- Have pencilled in a meeting with Todd Kramer (LinkedIn)
New York City and Toronto CA – April 29 (Fri) – May 8 (Sun) (family)
- Visiting New York with Pauline
- Staying with Colin and Pauline in Toronto
- Pencilled in a phone call (maybe coffee) with Donna Carrick – connected on Twitter.
Montreal – May 9 – 10 (Mon, Tue)
- Sunday May 8 – is Mother’s Day!
- Visiting Redpath Museum – especially to see dinosaurs and Egyptian mummies, (just missed Butterflies Go Free)
- Have pencilled in a meeting with Sherry and Wendy – Twitter friends from @kiboomu
- Will select my accommodation when I get to Toronto
- Not too many events seem to be happening in Montreal.
Detroit – May 11 – 12 (Wed, Thu)
- Have booked a Meetup with a Networking After Work group on Thursday May 12, at Bailey’s Pub & Grille at 1965 West Maple Road, Troy MI
- Have pencilled in a meeting with Stacey L Malcolm, MPA – a LinkedIn friend whose profile includes a link to http://www.soldiersangels.org/
- Will select my accommodation when I get to Toronto
- Have pencilled in to meet up with Adra Young from LinkedIn
Cleveland OH – May 13 – 14 (Fri, Sat)
- Have been booked to give a presentation at The LaunchHouse on Friday 13th May, 2011. https://www.facebook.com/LaunchHouse 3558 Lee Road, Shaker Heights. Joined their Meetup group too and met them through Heidi Cool – LinkedIn friend.
- Registered at Marriott Raddison
- Have pencilled in a meeting with Andrew Spreigel – LinkedIn friend.
New York City – May 15 – 17 (Sun -Tue)
- Booked a MeetUp with NY Internet Marketing Group at McGarry’s Pub & Restaurant, 417 9th Avenue, New York, on Tues May 17, 7:00pm
- Pencilled in trip to Statue of Liberty.
- Registered at The Jane – which looks like a great place to be based in New York without breaking the bank.
- Pencilled in a meeting with Ariel Hyatt – if she is back from Nashville.
tweet from: MiddleAgeGodess (She Who Rules) Oh for goodness sakes.. if you come to NC you MUST get with me.. and Joanne.. and Miriam .. yes.yes.yes… Y’all Come On Down, Ya’Hear !!
Miami Fl – May 21 – 22 (Sat – Sun)
- Pencilled in a meeting with Rodrick Walters – The Upbeat Dad – Follow him on Twitter and his friends. Rodrick and his Facebook page is is here
- Pencilled in a meeting with Michael McCann – The Mayor of PurpleUmpkin – a LinkedIn Friend.
- Will select my accommodation when I get to Toronto
Dallas TX – May 23 – 25 (Mon – Wed)
- Planning on getting a good seat at “9 to 5 – The Musical”
- Dallas has a great Zoo and a lot of expat Aussies living there – will check out the Meetups and networking event. Looks like there is heaps happening in Dallas.
- Will book accommodation when I get to Toronto.
San Diego – May 26 – 27 (Thu – Fri)
- Definitely going to the San Diego Zoo. Have had great advice through LinkedIn on the best ways to get around the Zoo, what to see and how to travel.
- Pencilled in to get to watch AFL football with the San Diego Lions, if possible, as a visitor on a Friday night.
- Looking for a LinkedIn networking group for Thursday May 26, if possible.
- Booking my accommodation when I get to Toronto.
San Francisco – May 28 – 30 (Sat – Mon)
- Pencilled in a meeting with Mary C Long – a friend on Twitter (@lawfirmPRwriter)
- Pencilled in to find a LinkedIn or Meetup neworking event while I am there.
- Will definitely find the time to ride a tram, get to the Golden Bridge and maybe take a trip out to Alcatraz.
- Will find a bed when I get there. Coming with some flowers in my hair. 🙂
Vancouver CA – May 31 – Jun 2 (Tue – Thur)
- Pencilled in to meet Lisa’s two sisters in Vancouver – where they live.
- Booking accommodation when I get to Toronto
- Pencilled in to do a day tour of the Vancouver Islands – I hear they are very beautiful.
- Pencilled in to meet Suzanna Aaring – from LinkedIn
Train Trip across the Rocky Mountains to Jasper and return – Jun 3 – 6 (Fri – Mon) then back to Australia.
- It will be trip of a lifetime to do this trip.
We have set up the communications we need to be a mobile office – so with LinkedIn, Twitter, email, Facebook and the website, we are happy that our family and friends will be able to keep in touch with us as much as they need (or want). Social Media – don’t you just love it.
Bronwyn says
Fabulous Lesley!!! Can’t wait to hear all about this amazing journey! Like I keep saying – I want to be like you when I grow up! xx
admin says
As Arnie says “I’ll be back” and next time I will take you with me, Bron!