Lets have some fun with Jennifer

[Jennifer-GWN]

Probably a function of having a huge latte late in the afternoon and being wound up after shopping for 1 very small thing today.

So I hope all you folks transitioning will get a bit of a kick out of this.

This is something we photographers do quite regularly when 1st arriving to a shoot the night before things get going; it’s a game we call “what’s in who’s bag”.

I was telling good friend tonight a story about my suitcase getting stuck inside the x-ray when checking in for the Eurostar train from London to Brussels yesterday evening after working out of London this week.

So here it goes and I suspect a first for this forum.

So let’s have a little bit of fun at Jennifer’s expense shall we and see what one transitioning business woman has in her suitcase (many of you know that I’ve maintained quite a sense of humor through transitioning)…

What’s IN Jennifer’s suitcase for her 2 week trip to Western Europe (prefaced with I have a pretty broad list of activities).

IMG_0773.jpg

I'm choosing not to explain the rationale for whats in the bag and rather just the pure inventory.

Footware:
Riding Boots
Ankle Boots
2 pairs of High Heals
1 pair of Strappy Heals
2 pairs of low Kitten Heals
1 pair of Keds
6 pair of ankle socks

Makeup Skin and Hair care products

Typical host of Primers, Foundation, Powders, Eyes, Blush, Contouring, Mascara, Highlighter, Concealer, etc
Enough brushes to redo the Sistine Chapel
Brazilian and Coconut Oil
Alcohol
Moisturizer
Eye Makeup Remover
8 Spongy Hair Curlers
Soap and Facial Cleanse
Hair Spray
2 Tooth Brushes + Toothpaste, etc

Misc.
7 Scarves, 4 belts, cotton balls and wipes
Flat Iron, Hair Curler, Razor
Manicure Kit, hair brush
Jewelry; earrings, necklace, etc
2 Starbucks 20oz mugs that I bought in London because you can’t get big Starbucks mugs in Canada any longer
Keyboard, HDMI Cables, and power supply (for Computer in Laptop Bag)
Over the Shoulder Purse (which I’m trying to figure out if I can do Purse or not)
Extra Bag for the way home in case I buy anything (used on the way over as emergency supply bag in case luggage didn’t make it to
London as I needed to hit the ground running

Tops
7 Chiffon, Lace, and Silk Tops
4 Business Casual cotton tops and shirts
3 very casual tops
7 Camisoles
3 Full Slips
Adequate supply of bras
1 Nighty

Sweaters
3 sweaters, 2 cardigans, 1 vest, 1 wrap
1 heavier vest (in lieu of jacket)

Heavy Coat

Bottoms
5 Business-ware Skirts
1 Evening Skirt
2 Business casual (at the office) Skirts
2 pair’s very casual hiking around pants
2 pair’s Business casual (at the office) pants
2 pair of yoga pants for around the apartment
1 pair of skinny pants
5 pairs of tights + 1 pair of pantyhose (purchased in the UK so an adder)
Adequate supply of undies

Dresses
3 Dresses that map to various occasions

Yes... All that in 1 Suitcase (******* was heavy)

In Addition...

Laptop bag (Separate)
2 full size Laptops
1 small desktop computer
1 Router
3 Mice
A handful of USB Keys (500GB if you’re counting)
IPad and iPod
Bose Noise Canceling headphones
1 pair of Earbuds
Bluetooth Headset
Bluetooth Desk Speaker/Microphone
Associated cords, power, and cables to support laptops
Meds (Spiro, Estrogen + Syringes, Progesterone, Niacin Supplements)
Documents regarding Transition just in case I get asked
Power Connector Converters
Umbrella
Chocolate

In hand – Clutch/Purse with money, cards, Passport and other id

[Contessa]

Hi Jenn

I dont Know how you could get most of this stuff in one suitcase. I couldn't some of it in two suitcases and I used three for my recent move. You are probably known for being so remarkable. The fact that I don't even have some of the stuff you speak of makes me want to get even more stuff than I have sitting in my storage unit. It is good though to here of something like this as I read the list out loud in my amazement.

Good luck in any and all of your endeavors and please bring me(us) another story like this in the future.

Contessa

[Kate T]

Sorry Jenn, you did say you were moving to Brussels was it?

[Rianna Humble]

I've heard of staying in touch, but 2 laptops and a desktop?

BTW, what are you going to wear for the other 12 days?

[GabbiSophia]

OMG!!! Do you give lessons in packing!!??!! How big of an army do you have to carry that thing around for you!?

[Marcelle]

What . . . no espresso maker!!!

[Abby Kae]

I bet you're really good at Tetris. Holy crap.

[I Am Paula]

Sis, this how I used to pack for a weekend (minus some of the tech stuff).
My sweetie pie has offered me a drawer of his, so I'll buy some extra stuff to leave there.
Eight pairs of shoes just may be overkill, but the rest seems right on the money.
Re: maintaining a sense of humour during transition- We have to, there's already enough rough patches.

[Dana44]

Last weekend we was in San Antonio and I was packed pretty heavily my SO said. We also had our laptops. IN my carry on bag I had two skirts, three tops, a Cami and sports bra, two bras, batching suit. Makeup, heels and heeled sandals. My pho Bag for shaving etc. MY bag was pretty well packed. Looking at you stuff is wow how did you pack it? I was totally packed as a women and drove down that way in my girl jeans and my girl tennis shoes. Coming home, I put on my denim skirt and Cami with a denim top with nice heels. Nobody batted an eye at me as I looked pretty womanly.

[PretzelGirl]

The laptop bag sounds like a large crate.

So it looked like this?

[Eringirl]

Ha, ha!! Yup, get used to it!! It does suck that you have to carry all that tech equipment as well, but that is all part of the job. My issue is that I don't think I would be able to lift it!! Loosing upper body strength, which is all part of the fun and games.

But well done! I am going away for a week in November, so it will be interesting as to what I end up with suitcase wise. Gone are the days when you can do all carry on for a week away.....sigh.

BUT.....I wouldn't trade it for the world !!

Erin

P.S. I just hope there is room left for my little "gift" from Antwerp!! Ha ha.

[Jennifer-GWN]

I've had quite a good week here in Belgium. Meeting with customers, time with the team on business activities as well as quality personal time with some who have been good friends for many years. This trip has been very affirming with respect to how easy and comfortable I am with myself and how others are with me.

Since many of you had fun with my original post I thought it appropriate to show and example in action. So as I wait for the train here in Antwerp to return to Brussels for my eurostar train back to the uk here I am luggage in tow.

Just a woman on the go... Casual traveling day for me.

image.jpg

Cheers... Jennifer

[arbon]

You look nice

[Emogene]

Nice to meet a girl who travel's so light!

[flatlander_48]

J-G:

To put this into perspective, you had more stuff for a 2 week trip than I took to Taiwan to stay a year.

Just Sayin'

Anyway, glad your trip went well. If it didn't, I think you had it all covered with the possible exception of a Zombie Apocalypse and a Nuclear Holocaust...

DeeAnn

[Claire Cook]

Now you need to tell us the secrets to getting all of that stuff in there ... have a wonderful trip!

[flatlander_48]

Actually, just off camera was a bearer with a steamer trunk...

DeeAnn

[charlenesomeone]

Nicely done getting that all in one bag.

[Teresa]

Jennifer,
Lovely story but where's all the photo gear ?
I did a trip to Sweden in the days of film, using a Bronica SQAi outfit, plus medium weight tripod, professional hammerhead flash spare batteries packs of film . I had just enough room for a wash bag, PJs which I thought I'd packed but couldn't find !

Were you working as a photographer or a model ?

[Jennifer-GWN]

Teresa... You're too kind with regards to the model comment. Nope on this trip it was pure business vs. my own personal freelance work that I do occasionally. It pained me to not have at least a good camera on this trip as I love European architecture, cobblestone roads, and quiet little ally's and shops. Reluctantly my iPad had to do double duty.

Cheers... Jennifer

[LydiaL]

What... no coffee maker?