In St. Louis!

Jeremiah's birthday is tomorrow. This weekend there is a magic tournament in St. Louis that we went to. Our friends Clayton, Zach, and Denny went with us. We are sharing a hotel room with them which is very interesting.

Jeremiah is still in his match today, he is doing pretty well from what I understand.

I just came up here to get away from the house... get away from the dishes, the laundry, the just sitting in a chair or on the couch or just being home. A mini-vacation you could say.

After this week I have 8 days left in the classroom! Graduate in two weeks... two weeks... two weeks! Time is just flying by. Then a week after that is Christmas and have about two months until beautiful Gideon is here.

I have some fears; that I don't drink enough water. I know that seems strange. I feel as if I gained a lot of weight but I eat healthy and don't really big out any more than I did before I was pregnant. But I just hope Gideon is getting enough nutrients that he should. What a silly fear!

So many fears and worries as becoming a parent. All the diapers I have yet to buy and need to get. *sigh* I am thankful for all the financial support we have gotten. We have a crib and matching dresser already thanks to our families and several other things. My mom has quit her job to be our paid babysitter. I know everything will be okay, just have to go with the flow, lean on God, and say a prayer.

Wow, had several different rants. Life is great!

xoxo,
MJ, JJ, and little GXJ

What... how big are you?

Yes sir-reee, this is how LARGE I WAS at 25 weeks! How super crazy is that? Pretty crazy I'd say. He's growing like a week for sure. I need to start walking more and getting healthy as well. I'm so tired from school though.... all the time!

Gideon's nursery is coming along great! Mom and I got fabric last night for curtains, wall hangings, bedding kit, and a blanket... it will be so cute! Bright fun colors!

After Thanksgiving it is pretty down hill as far as school goes! I'm so thrilled!!

Well short update, have a lot I would like to get done today.. Go shopping!

Weekly update...

WOW, I feel incredibly productive today!

Here are my accomplishments in 9 hours (it's only 7pm as of now).

Grade four classes of quizzes while watching Breakfast at Tiffany's (I've never seen it before)

Did SIX, yes I said SIX, loads of laundry and I only have one basket of clothes to fold!

Vacuumed the house and made the bed (with clean sheets!)

Made biscuits and grave for breakfast, a massive salad for lunch, and here shortly will be making chicken pot pie for dinner!

Did lots of dishes as well... baked a lot the past few days!

Wrote my reflection from my current observation from school.

Finished up my Teacher Work Sample 28 slide powerpoint, four lesson plans, and a four page reflection... all are complete (mainly the reflection was completed today)!

Read two case studies for next seminar

Wrote my mid-term evaluation reflection and uploaded to site. Another 4 page document.

WOWWWWW

Now, after I make dinner I'm going to edit some pictures while sipping some hot apple cider!


This week went by incredibly fast. Friday and Saturday I was at my grandparents, stayed with them because Saturday was my cousin's wedding. It was a very interesting wedding, and I'm so thankful of how happy they are!

I just feel so relived that I accomplished so much today, it is very reassuring of how the rest of my week will turn out.

I have also booked another photo shoot with my old friend Cori from Kohls and her family. =]

Gideon is doing great, he's been kicking me a lot and making my nights a little bit more sleepless; but overall I couldn't love him anymore. this weekend his Great, Great, Aunt Sherry bought him a cute little monkey hat and a blanket! They are perfect. I called my landlord about painting, and they don't think we will be able to paint the nursery but come Friday and over Thanksgiving break we are going to be picking out nursery stuff!! We are 22 weeks preggers! How crazy is that! Now, with all of my extra free time next week, I need to walk walk walk! =]

Well, better go make some dinner.

Have a great week and a very safe and happy Halloween!

xoxo,
Jones Family

This weekend

I am feeling huge, which is not good considering that I am only 21 weeks. I really need to start walking more to get some of my 'thigh weight' down! Hahaha.

This week at school went by fast, I'm incredibly excited and counting down the days. I'm just so unmotivated to come home and write more papers. Papers after papers. I didn't get anything (school wise) done on Friday night, or today... so far. But sometimes I just want to have a good weekend and not have to worry about everything else.

Today was great, went and took family pictures of the Kersey's, a family at church. We took pictures for over two hours! Some beautiful pictures for sure. Then I went to my niece's third birthday party! She is growing up sooo much! I'm just glad that she liked her birthday present - princess bowling!

Jeremiah was in KC today for a magic tournament; he didn't do as well as he hoped to. But I just hope he realizes how awesome it is that he's been able to go to these tournaments and everything.

Well, this is short and sweet. I better go do some more school stuff and productive. I need to get started on those Kersey family pictures!

Also, check out my photography blog for my latest updates on the photography! If you find the October 2011 section you'll see sweet Tenley!

Dear Gideon

Dear Gideon (and my readers),

Mommy is so sorry for how she acted today. I know you are started to hear more and more every day. I just hope that you do not relate the yelling that I had to do today to me as your mother.

I cried after school today. Student teaching was just that awful. It's a combination of things really, using some one else's classroom management, not being firm in my stance, working with a difficult curriculum style, end of the quarter and my CT being gone. Plus, I'll be honest with you.... I'm hormonal/emotional! =]

However, to soothe my mood when I got home I took out my aggression on a pineapple. Slicing and dicing was what we needed to relieve some tension and worries. Then getting to sit down (yelling and being agitated can work up a pregnant woman's appetite) and enjoy your working efforts. Nothing like fresh pineapple!

Also, mommy just bought four new books for Gideon Xavier. Being an old employee of Kohls I strong believe in their Kohls Cares Program (their five dollar books/animals/CDs). It's not possible to go into a bookstore and buy hard back books for five dollars any where else. And not only does my child get a good literacy foundation but the net profits help other children in schools, hospitals and other programs. Win-win. I don't even mind paying 6 dollars for shipping and tax, it's still a steal! And I would use that six dollars in gas just by going to Kohls.

We purchased: Nancy Tillmans' "On the Night You Were Born" "The Spirit of Christmas" "Wherever You Are" and "It's Time to Sleep, My Love"

I'm very excited for these books to be in our little Gideon's collection.

This weekend is busy. Mommy needs to (tonight and tomorrow) finish up Dooling's family portraits (editing them). Daddy is at a magic tournament tonight and is going to another tournament tomorrow. Yes, we do miss him. But even if daddy was home we would be so busy doing photography and school work we wouldn't get to spend too much time with him. =[ So we are proud of daddy and hopes he wins the tournaments!

Well, I am feeling much better now that we went shopping online.

Time to edit some pictures.

Gideon, we love you, and you will be loved the rest of your life. Again, I hope mommy didn't scare you too much with her shouting today in the class. We can not wait for you to be here and have great expectations for your life.

Much love world,
Gideon's Mom and Dad <3

Little Baby Jones

Went to the doctors today with my mom (Grandma Payne). Jeremiah had to work, he started training for a new department and couldn't afford missing. He is hoping for a supervisor position in January; we didn't want to jeopardize any of his chances. But daddy is excited and relived. =]

We are having a baby boy. Gideon Xavier Jones will be welcomed into our world on or around March 4th.

Below are some of the pictures we "captured" of Gideon. He hid his face well but enjoyed showing of his family jewels. What a boy! =]

October is baby month!

OKay, October is not baby month. It is however Breast Cancer awareness month. And boobies are important. Breast help provide adequate nutrition to millions of babies world wide. Just like the rest of the body, the breast have purposes, and need to be healthy. One of my good friend's mothers is a breast cancer surviver and she is an amazing person. No one that amazing should have to endure the hardships that she has.

I have also found out a lot more of my friends are going to be having babies in the year 2012! I am very excited for each and everyone of them, and I'm sure there are more to come.

School is going well, we are very busy but I'm getting everything I need to done. I am very blessed with a great cooperating teacher! We are about half way through our semester, before I realize it December will be here... Christmas, graduation, life moving on.

Baby is great. I have felt kicks from time to time, or gas pains/flutters. It's very amusing and I can only imagine what he or she is doing in side of me! We find out Monday what we are having. I'm very nervous/anxious and excited as well. Although we would prefer a boy (we both agree that we would be better first-time parents to a boy) we will be happy with whatever God has in store for us.

Well, I need to go. I have a long list of things to do before this weekend. And considering it is already Thursday I better get on it. Saturday we are having a cook-out with friends and should be a very interesting fun good time!

Much love,
Megan, Jeremiah, and Baby

P.S. Jeremiah is doing great. He's working now, just for a little bit, in intuit helping with turbotax but it probably won't last long. He's still playing Magic the Gathering competitively as well as playing music in a band from time to time. Baby is going to change his life here soon! Hehehe =]

A new day - feeling strong

I will be strong should be more like it.

Man, this weather really gets to me. I should never home alone during this weather because I'm bound to write a depressing blog about how sad I might be, but I know I shouldn't be.

This weather, it makes me miss a lot of things. It's the weather of change. It makes me miss friends, cookouts, patio parties in KC, makes me miss the sun. I LOVE the weather the same time - bring out the hoodies and pj bottoms!

Currently I'm really missing the KC friends that I had. Blair, Tessa, Deanna, Tanya, and others. It's just not the same. I miss the sitting on the porch of one of our apartments just enjoying life. However, I'm so thankful that I don't live in apartment anymore. Just strange and I can't figure it out which bothers me even more.

My life has changed a lot; I knew this would happen but it's difficult at times. I miss a lot of my friends. Student teaching, not working at Kohls, and being prego has really isolated me for the most part. I am still very thankful that I get to see Dan and Michelle on a regular 'schedule' but I never get to see my school friends or my kohls friends. I feel like I have to invite all of the time. Last night I text like 6 people what they were doing... and I heard back from three. Just odd. Life is changing.

Fall means change.


Student teaching is about 1/3 done! I'm so excited and pleased how successful the semester has gone thus far. I really enjoy my students, the stories that I have, and watching them grow. They are sad that I leave in December, as I will be too. Those kids I will never forget for the rest of my life. I hope that as much as they impacted my life that I have done the same for them.

I am really proud of Jeremiah right now. Not that I'm not proud of him normally but I'm a even more proud than before. For the past almost two weeks he has been working out to the insanity program. It is very insane. I can tell he's lost weight and he's well on his way to loosing more. He has a blog The Ongoing Narrative if you would like to follow him and his work out regime. It's silly but as much as he loses, I gain. I know it's healthy for me to gain weight so baby jones can be healthy. I just hope that once baby is here I will be able to stay as motivated as him to 'get skinny' and hope he loves me even if I'm a bit round.

I was able to hear the baby's heart beat at our last appointment. I didn't cry just kept saying how cool it was. I couldn't believe type of miracle of life was growing in me. I have several friends also pregnant and it's been fun talking to them and getting to experience similar things. Some are bit more fun to talk to than others, but that is life. Don't worry Cassie and Kaitlyn I love your conversations =]

Oh!! Thursday night we had a cookout. I grilled (charcoal) all by myself and it was a great success. I'm glad I am 'handy' in doing all house hold chores!

WEll I need to go edit some pictures for some friends.

xoxo,
Megan, Baby, and Daddy Jones

Fall is here..... hmmm

Well, I guess I will only be able to make monthly updates. I really wish I was better at committing to a blog.

September is here and with that means, cooler weather, allergies, football, crunchy leaves, bonfires, and too many thoughts for my head.

My father and I have this unique commonality: we LOVE FALL but yet it makes up depressed. It's rather hard to explain but it's something that I have had to deal with since Freshmen year in highschool. It's as if the excitement of the summer has officially ended and the droomy year is ahead of us.

Yet, I love being able to walk outside, feel the breezy, and not feel as if I'm going to die from heat. I love going to football games and seeing the crowds cheer on their teams. The time getting to spend with friends and family is another perk of the season.

Lately I've been questioning if my "best years" are behind me. I miss highschool, college..... not being AS responsible as I have to be now.

I feel out of sink with reality, I feel distant from my husband. I feel out of place with friends and awkward around family.

Maybe it's baby hormones. As of last Thursday I was 14 weeks pregnant. I thought we were ready for this; don't get me wrong I can not wait to hold my bundle of joy. I have always wanted kids. I love kids; it is my job after all. I love my nieces and my friends kids.

But with this child change is coming, and a big change. I'm just glad that little baby jones will be here in March when I'm not in my fall funk.

I did have a productive morning so far; cleaned all the dishes, put clothes away, cleaned everything really, had a great lunch (and splurged with coffee... baby liked!). Was able to read and listen to some good tunes.

I'm going to a baby shower here shortly. Then tonight, a lame Saturday night, I will be probably grading some papers and preparing a project for the kiddos. Student teaching has been going really well.

It is SO comforting to know that every time I walk into my classroom that that is where I need to be, this is what I need to be doing. It's good to feel like I belong somewhere. Even if it is a junior high trying to settle and find my management style.

Well, that's enough for my down self.

Fall.... my favorite enemy.

August, already!

It's more like aug, augh, August.
Not wanting to be a debbie downer, but it's so hot and time has gone by way to incredibly fast!

I personally am excited to start student teaching. It makes everything that much more official. Here in December I will be certified to teach middle school math. The age and subject that most people fear, tehehehe.

Jeremiah is still getting ready for Gen-con and is so thrilled to be going. I can't update much for I need to do some more work to get 'prepared' for the big day back to school.

Hope all is well with everyone!

So hoooot, so tired....

Hello everyone everywhere.

Sorry we haven't bee updating as much as we should be. It's been so incredibly hot lately, its nutz! 105 plus every day, and that's the temp, not the heat index! icky.

Megan's birthday is this weekend, and spite usual excitement it doesn't seem that big of a deal.

Jeremiah leaves for Gen-con here soon and will be gone almost a week (like five days). Time for Megan to work more and get ready for student teaching.

Well, speaking of work, need to go get ready! Talk to everyone later.

much love!

Tornado Pictures

For the next week our friend Jim and Glen are staying with us to volunteer with the tornado efforts. Below is a link to a few of the several pictures that Jim has taken.

http://s1129.photobucket.com/albums/m507/mjandjjones/Joplin%20Tornado/

Oh Saturday, Joys to you!

Last night we had a going away party for our friend Logan. He is going off into the Marines here in about a week. He will be very much missed but I am very proud of him for what he is doing! Was up until about three in the morning! Oh goodness. But had some fun, interesting, and insightful conversations. It was a good evening for sure!

It was nice to get to sleep in today. I was a little red from sitting in the pool. So no pool today! And I'm going to relax a little bit as well.

Jeremiah is off playing a magic tournament, so cross your fingers that he does well! I have to work tonight and then later we are picking up my parents from the aiport.

that's about it from our neck of the woods. We had a few more ants today! Ick.... I super killed them, but need to go check to see how that's going!

Well that's it for the lame update. More to come later!

People are Cruel

People are cruel, a fact that I have to get use to. No matter how many hurtful things are said or done to me it still hurts.

Deep breath. Kiss from my husband!

Big News!

But we are going to make you wait..... until sometime next week. I just like putting my readers (all none of them) on the edge of their seats. =]

This summer has been flying by so quickly. I can't believe that we are 1/4 through July. I think I'm just really nervous with starting to student teaching and all the life changes ahead of me.. such as graduation! But no need to focus on that.

Today has been a good day. I personally was up at 5:15 this morning getting ready for work. Then I went to the gym and walked 3.5 miles (my personal best). Came home to eat a huge salad (at which Jeremiah was at work). Took a short nap and then the best part! I filled my kiddie pool with water and read in the nice sun for an hour! It has been fantastic!

Currently our friend Clayton is over hanging out with Jeremiah. Here soon we'll start dinner and then I need to be more proactive about getting my 'teaching closet' cleaned out/organized better! Just another 'to-do' to mark off the list!

Well our daily post is done. Might slowly put up more pictures of our trip on here, we did take 1000 pictures! =]

<3

Some pictures from our trip:

We went to London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome, and a short stay in Bern! It was a lovely trip, even though we are now officially broke college kids! But it was amazing!

The good... the bad...

We had a great trip, over all. And enjoyed spending our anniversary, with one another.... on a train.

A short list of the good:
- soldiers on rollerblades, yes it is awesome
- siestas, a fantastic idea
- gellato, really good ice cream
- beaches (can pass on the topless though, eikky)
- meeting awesome cool people all over the world!

A short list of the not so good, the what we won't do again:#
- eurorail pass... it's a waste, you have to purchase resevations any how.
- Roma Pass (good, but does not work at the vatican)
- don't be conned into buying an "express" pass from the aiport, waste.
- The SWISS, are expensive people and close everything down by 7pm (the law)
- Book all tickets in advance, even if it says not to worry... worry

Well, here in a few minutes we are going to walk from our Paris Hostel to the train station to go to London where we are probably going to stay the night at the airport... what fun (not really, it was a joke). And then we will be home, to go to a family reunion!

Pictures will be coming soon, and more details of our journey, the good, the bad, and yes... we did see some ugly stuff!

xoxo

Jeremiah;s thoughts:
I hate paris.

Rome-finally!!

After be at a Barcelona square for an hour late last night (protesting going on) we made it to the airport around three am! We slept for an hour, sorta before we prepared for our six am flight. We made it to our hostel at ten but couldn't nap till two. So tired! Everything is great so far! Be home soon.

Xoxo

All nighter

Jeremiah and I are going to stay up all night to catch an early flight to Rome. Our flight isnt until 6am, but because of public transportation we are going to leave our hostel around 1:30 this morning and hang out at the airport. umm.. yeah.

We have a good stay in Barcelona.

Today, we went to the Picasso museum... which was lovely and went into some stores... yeah!

I am so excited to be going to Rome, I can not wait. I think Jeremiah enjoyed his stay in Barcelona, and we will hopefully be able to come back and speak the language a bit better! :)

Well, thatś the update for now. Talk soon.

Sending more love towards Joplin! xoxox

Barcelona...

Well tried to get Jeremiah to update, but he doesn want to. So now he rolls his eyes at me!

We are in Barcelona the rest of today, and then two more full days and then leave on the 28th EARLY in the morning.

We have already gone to the beach and are currently trying to figure out our plans for the rest of our stay.

Great place, and we have lots of pictures to share.

We are writing in our journals as well and will type those out when we get back to the states, when we have time... everything is up in the air (at one point, literally, it was).

Thatś all for now. Please keep Joplin, MO in your thoughts and prayers. The clean up has only begun.

Update.... News....

I am sorry we have not updated for a while. We have to pay for the internet at our hostel in Paris.

Yesterday, Monady the 23rd we left London early in the morning, rode the eurostar to Paris!!! It is now late evening tuesday the 24th. We were at the Eiffel Tower today when a Texas family informed us of our town.

Usually I don't recommend sharing information online. But we live really close to Joplin. Please keep them in your prayers, when we get home there is going to be a lot of huggs to give out. I think our friends and family are safe, at least the ones we have reached. Our house is still there, but I think my mom is going to share it with those that have lost their house. Okay with me! That is all we can do half way across the world.

Tomorrow morning we leave for Barcelona by plane. Hopefully we will be able to get online more frequently there.

We are safe, please do not worry about us. We will be home in a week, take care of those around you.

Love <3
M and J

yeah for cell phones and wifi

Finally thought to use our phone. Got the wifi to work! See if I can upload pictures or not. About to go with David and Chris to see where TIME starts. Haha! So pictured on here!

day two

Again, sorry for all the typos. We will type out our trip when we are home. We have beEn walking a lot. Got to see a bunch of great things. Pictures sure have. Met some cool people started a fire alarm with my burnt toast and jam. Bwwhaaaahaaa. Over paid for a braclet. Live and learn. Options, look into them. Love our neighborhood,have figured out the tube!

first day...

First, i apolgioze for the many errors, i am on our ereader and it is a challenge. We aresafe and at our hostel.very tired and ready forbed. Pictures and stories will come soon. Love you all . Learning and loving a lot!

Weather:

Weather Bug:
London (May 20-23rd) Highs 65-70, chance of rain on one day.
Paris (May 23-25th) Highs 65-75, chance of rain on one day.
Barcelona (May 25-28th) Highs 70-75, sunshine!
Rome (May 28-31st) Averages high 75-80, sunshine!
Bern (May 31-June 2nd) Averages mid 60's, sunshine rine!

Looks like great weather.
I think it will be a great trip. As long as we get up in time! Oh sleep, I need thee sleep right now.

I can't believe we leave in 48 hours! We are now counting down hours! We haven't really packed yet. Laundry is done, our office room is covered with our "supplies" but nothing is actually in the bag yet.

Money.... We leave in 8 days!

Money has been something for me to think about, as of late. Whether we should take our debit card or our credit card or what. Talking to a friend at work she gave me the idea of prepaid cards, like Visa. Visa does offer a varitey of cards (gift, travelmoney, etc). However, after reading this article: http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/articles/amex-travelfunds-visa-travelmoney-cards.htm I relizd that it might be best for us to just take our cards, proof of identity at least and so forth.

I can't believe we leave in 8 days. Seems so unreal and just a bit crazy! I told Jeremiah the other night that I'm not only looking forward to the trip but to sleeping on the plane! It will be a trip of a life time for sure! Getting finished with finals, going on a major trip, starting a family (if in God's plan), and working for fun!

Update later!

What... like two weeks!

Some things I still want to research and need to do before we leave:

Currency
Metro/bus/local transportation
Packing.... too many clothes!
What are we going to do? Free stuff.. heck yes!
COPIES OF ALL DOCUMENTS
Make ISIC cards.

I am a little more at easy with the fact that we have purchased/selected/nailed down our flights and hostels.

So close...

I am getting rather nervous. I don't know if it's the fact that everything is new, or if it's the fact that I will be out of my element and alone (except for the wonderful husband). Maybe it's because I feel so unprepared, unplanned, and just not ready... but our trip is here in about a month!

MONEY Per person in US dollars:
Round trip Tulsa to London $800 - Kayak (done)
International/Student Card www.myisic.com - $25 (done)
Insurance http://www.worldnomads.com - $90 (done part of tickets)
Eurorail Pass 6 days in 2 months http://www.eurail.com/eurail-passes/select-pass/4-countries $375 (done)
Round trip chunnel London to Paris $242 (done)
Paris to Barcelona $60 (done)
Barcelona to Rome $75 (done)
Total per person: $1667

Hostels:
3 nights at The Great Eastern, Bestplace Inn, Docklands, 1 Glenaffric Avenue, London, England $70/per person mixed dorms
2 nights at Vintage Hoste l73, Rue de Dunkerque Arr: 23rd May - 24th May double bed, balcony $124/per person
3 nights at Be Hostels Dream Address: C/ Av. Alfonso XIII 28B, Badalona, Barcelona, Spain $90/per person
3 nights at Sandy House Via Cavour 136, 00184 - Roma, Rome, Italy $120/per person
2 nights in bern at Bern Backpackers Hotel&Hostel Glocke Rathausgasse 75,3007, PO Box 503, Bern, Switzerland $85/per person
Total per person to stay: $450 (saved $100 more than planned) 10% deposit, rest up front. Have cash in some places.


Per Person:
Food for 14 days avg/30 a day - $450
Souvenirs/tickets - $200
More local travelilng -

Back home expense:
Car Payment - $200
Rent -$650
Cell Phone - $150
Insurance - $140
Utilities - $200
Total: $1340


Total needed: $3500 + any extra items we want to take/buy (special pants... so forth)


packing: http://www.soyouwanna.com/soyouwanna-backpack-through-europe-1113-p3.html

money: still need to check with bank of america... smb has $1 atm fees.. I think bank of america is $2... take out money 6 times - $12..?

London:http://www.eurostartripplanner.com/en-us/london/suggestions/detail.aspx?suggestion=163

May 18th (Wednesday) - Finals! No work!
May 19th (Thursday) - Leave at 8 am, arrive around 10:30.. get to airport BY 11..Fly Tulsa (leave at 2:10pm) to London
May 20th (Friday) - Land in London around (8:00 am) - Hostel in London
May 21st - London - Hostel in London (Abbey Road, Bibles)
May 22nd – London – Hostel in London
May 23rd – London eurostar to Paris leave at 9 am arrive at 10:30am - Hostel in Paris
May 24th – Paris – Hostel in Paris
May 25th (Wednesday) – Paris – fly to Barcelona leave at 11 arrive at 1 – Hostel in Barcelona
May 26th – Barcelona – Day trip to see Salvador Dali (?)– Hostel in Barcelona
May 27th – Barcelona – stay the night at the airport for early flight
May 28th – Barcelona fly to Rome leave at 6 am arrive at 8 am – Hostel in Rome
May 29th (Sunday) – Rome – Hostel in Rome – day trip?
May 30th – Rome – Hostel in Rome
May 31st – Rome to Bern Switzerland early morning (7 hour train ride)– Hostel in Bern
June 1st - Bern – Hostel in Bern
June 2nd – Bern train to Paris leave at 9am arrive at 1, train to London leave at 6 arrive around 7:30 - Hotel in London or stay at the airport
June 3rd (Friday) – London leave at 9:30 am, flight to Tulsa, drive to Missouri Family Reunion arrive around 10 p.m.
June 4th (Saturday) - Family Reunion
June 5th (Sunday) - Family Reunion
June 6th (Monday) - Sleep!!!

6 days of train travel!
London: 2.75 days
Paris: 2.25 days
Barcelona: 2.75
Rome: 2.75
Bern: 1.25

Purchased....

MONEY Per person:
Round trip Tulsa to London $800 - Kayak (done)
International/Student Card www.myisic.com - $25 (done)
Insurance http://www.worldnomads.com - $90 (done part of tickets)
Eurorail Pass 6 days in 2 months http://www.eurail.com/eurail-passes/select-pass/4-countries $750 (done)


Per Person:
Roundtrip Paris to london HAVE TO CALL TO BOOK 00441233617575 eurostar.com $160 - $200

Over night train http://www.eurail.com/planning/trains-and-ferries/overnight-trains/elipsos elipsos.com $100

Hostel/Hotel for 13 nights avg/40 a night - $550

Food for 14 days avg/30 a day - $420

Souvenirs/tickets - $200

total: $1500/person

Back home expense:
Car Payment - $200
Rent -$650
Cell Phone - $150
Insurance - $140
Utilities - $200
Total: $1340


Total needed: $4,350 + any extra items we want to take/buy (special pants... so forth)


packing: http://www.soyouwanna.com/soyouwanna-backpack-through-europe-1113-p3.html

money: travelers checks? which bank?

London:http://www.eurostartripplanner.com/en-us/london/suggestions/detail.aspx?suggestion=163

May 18th (Wednesday) - Finals! No work!
May 19th (Thursday) - Fly Tulsa to London
May 20th (Friday) - Land in London around (8:00 am) - Hostel in London
May 21st - London - Hostel in London
May 22nd - Leave morning London to Paris (Arrive around noon -4) - Hostel in Paris
May 23rd – Paris – Hostel in Paris
May 24th - Paris - overnight train to Barcelona (12 -15 hours)
May 25th – Barcelona – Hostel in Barcelona
May 26th – Barcelona – Day trip to see Salvador Dali – Hostel in Barcelona
May 27th – Barcelona fly afternoon to Rome – Hostel in Rome
May 28th – Rome – Hostel in Rome
May 29th - Rome to Milano by morning train (3 hours) – Hostel in Milano
May 30th – Milano – Hostel in Milano
May 31st – Milano to Bern, Switzerland (4 hour train ride)– Hostel in Bern
June 1st - Bern – Hostel in Bern
June 2nd – Bern train (5 hours) to Paris, train to London - Hotel in London
June 3rd - London, flight to Tulsa, drive to Missouri Family Reunion around 10 p.m.
June 4th - Family Reunion
June 5th (Sunday) - Family Reunion
June 6th (Monday) - Sleep!!!


CHANGE LONDON TO PARIS TO SAVE 80$????????

Another idea

Don't forget Jenna's present!

Look at Cambridge bibles while in London!

Packing List Update

Weather will be anywhere between 50 and 70 degrees through out the whole trip!


Backpack - check
Small purse/bag for carry on and day travel
A sleeping sheet
pillow (optional)
One sweater/Leightweight jacket with hood incase of rain
2 pairs of pants (try to get those changeable pants that can turn into shorts)
One towel (napkin-sized ones from L.L. Bean or EMS) quick drying synthetic towel
Bandana/tie/scarf
Two plain T-shirts possibly long sleeve
One under shirt/tank top
2 button-down shirts, one short one long
4 pairs of underwear (take more to throw away?)
2 pairs of socks
2 bras
A pair of shorts (to sleep in)
A skirt
One pair of boot-ish/tennis shoes
One pair of open-toed/flip flop shoes
Toiletries (shampoo, little makeup, deoderant, small brush, hair tie, toothpaste/brush, lotion, bobby pins) and bag to carry (with hook)
birthcontrol/medicene/firstaid finger nail clippers, tweezer, razor, panty liners for freshness
glasses/contacts
sunglasses
watch - ALARM CLOCK
Army Knife (with at least scissors, corkscrew)
spooknife plastic
waterbottle
Ziplock bags of different sizes
Concentrated detergent/clothes line
Camera, charger, extra memory
Ereader with maps uploaded and quick language guide (create) and books
Map of cities
2 Copies of ID, money, itenary, passport, passes, hostel/flight, information and country codes to call http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/moneybelt.htm
small notepad/pen
cards to play
sewing kit
klennexes
dryer sheets (keep things fresh)
"clean hair" spray
spot cleaner
small flashlight
gum/breath mints
umbrella?
mirror
a few snack bars in carry-on incase late traveling.
postcards OR buiness cads to give out

Phone or phone cardhttp://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/mobilephones.htm see also laptop
lock http://travelstore.ricksteves.com/catalog/index.cfm?fuseaction=catalog&parent_id=124


but any liquids 3.4 ounces in sealed back/air pressure may cuase explosion! =]

Limit yourself to one carry-on size bag: 9" x 21" x 13"

hostel info http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/1198hostels.htm

Student and hostel phone cards: Many travel cards — such as the ISIC student identity card or the HI hostel membership card — also double as prepaid calling cards. Ask for details when you buy your card. memberships pay for themselves in 4 nights! get one!!!

Get the right card for money! http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/moneytip.htm The bottom line. Here's the best formula for saving money as you travel: Pay for as much as possible with cash (use a bank that charges low rates for international ATM transactions, and withdraw large amounts at each transaction — keeping the cash safe in your money belt). When using a credit card, use a card with the lowest possible international fees, and make sure your transactions are charged in the local currency — not dollars. Then smile and enjoy your trip, feeling very clever for avoiding so much unnecessary expense.

Our Trip and Money...

May 18th (Wednesday) - Finals! No work!
May 19th (Thursday) - Fly Tulsa to London
May 20th (Friday) - Land in London around (8:00 am) - Hostel in London
May 21st - London - Hostel in London
May 22nd - Leave morning London to Paris (Arrive around noon -4) - Hostel in Paris
May 23rd – Paris – Hostel in Paris
May 24th - Paris - overnight train to Barcelona (12 -15 hours)
May 25th – Barcelona – Hostel in Barcelona
May 26th – Barcelona – Day trip to see Salvador Dali – Hostel in Barcelona
May 27th – Barcelona fly afternoon to Rome – Hostel in Rome
May 28th – Rome – Hostel in Rome
May 29th - Rome to Milano by morning train (3 hours) – Hostel in Milano
May 30th – Milano – Hostel in Milano
May 31st – Milano to Bern, Switzerland (4 hour train ride)– Hostel in Bern
June 1st - Bern – Hostel in Bern
June 2nd – Bern train (5 hours) to Paris, train to London - Hotel in London
June 3rd - London, flight to Tulsa, drive to Missouri Family Reunion around 10 p.m.
June 4th - Family Reunion
June 5th (Sunday) - Family Reunion
June 6th (Monday) - Sleep!!!


** Note Milano can be exchanged for Verona AND Bern can be exchanged with Lucern ***


MONEY Per person:
Round trip Tulsa to London $800 - Kayak
Flight Rome to Barcelona Monday May 30th - ryainair - $35
Flight from Barcelona to Paris Thursday June 2nd - ryainair - $35
Hostel/Hotel for 13 nights avg/40 a night - $550
Food for 14 days avg/30 a day - $420
Eurorail Pass 9 days in 2 months http://www.eurail.com/eurail-passes/select-pass/4-countries $430
Over night train http://www.eurail.com/planning/trains-and-ferries/overnight-trains/elipsos
Eurostar (Paris to london HAVE TO CALL TO BOOK 00441233617575) eurostar.com $100
Souvenirs/tickets - $200
International/Student Card book.statravel.com - $25
Hostel Card - $30
Insurance http://www.worldnomads.com - $90

total: $2715 to $3000 person

Back home expense:
Car Payment - $200
Rent -$200 to $350 (see if maybe we can get 25 to 50% off because we won't be there)
Cell Phone - $150
Insurance - $140
Storage - $25
Total: $865



Total Trip: $6,150 to $6,865

Change of plans....

Jeremiah and I have been discussing our future trip to Europe. A few things are in the air: If we'll include Dublin part of this trip? If we will make our trip shorter to save money and be able to work more? If we'll go in May or in June?

We are wanting to save the most money but see the most that we can.

As of now I think we are going to do a round trip through London. Leaving May 19th and return June 3 It gives a good 2 weeks to enjoy everything. I'll post an itinerary as soon as I get one.

I think it will be best. So that way I can work a lot in June/July and save even more money instead of missing practically the whole month.

Hostels/Flights

This is the best website...
check more into the sta travel invormation cheaper airfare becuase you are a student!! Yes!! For example, on Kayak.com flying from Tulsa, OK to Barcelona, Spain June 6, 2011 will cost $940-$1000 but on statravel.com it is only $770!! that is a good difference.

Need to get passports, pick up hostels, and definetly figure out where we are going! so close.

insurance, check other sites


sta has discounts on eurorail passes..

Passes/passports:
Passport
International Student Card
Hostel Card
Eurorail (3 countries)
Other pass for London?

To Do List:

Get Passports: January, February


Buy tickes: April


Book/Choose 3 for each location Hostels: May


Eurail passes: May


Talk with banks (cash, card, overdraft fees, international exchange rate fees....)


Cell phone companies: April, May http://www.gosim.com/?gosimusa (get the sim card, unlock one of our phones, turn off plan for june, calling card)


Insurance?


Clothes and needed items: Start of May check carry on size of packs and measure our bags.. no carry on!?!


Pack: May Linear inches is L+W+H

Leave: June!


What to do: http://www.ehow.com/how_5023798_backpack-through-europe-first-time.html

measure packs/inurance/cells

http://www.ehow.com/how_4487495_backpack-through-europe.html

http://www.guideforeurope.com/

http://www.insuremytrip.com/index.html?linkId=30002

http://buy.travelguard.com/tgi2/calculators/PI/calculator.aspx?pcode=PAA&br=tgdirect&arc=000329&st=26&cn=1&plan=104585&prc=606700

http://www.worldnomads.com/prices.aspx?affiliate=TRVBLG&_wat_id=9af068ca5fce4d229635fe3f66c31918_9

travelblog.com

http://www.telestial.com/view_product.php?PRODUCT_ID=MSIM-PPL2

http://www.roam4less.com/product_addconfig.php?session_tab=1&id=1&qty=1

http://www.gosim.com/?gosimusa

Closer and Closer

The trip is fast approaching. Here soon Jeremiah and I need to go get our passports taken! Have been talking to a few experienced travelers. I can't wait for us to go!

So excited!! =]

Watching the airplane ticket prices fall. =]

Also, huge thanks to mom and dad for the Christmas money to help fund all of this!

Love you.

Look into insurance! boo.