Hi guys! I’m sky-blogging this morning en route to Ottawa! (This post will be published once I land and have internet access again.)
I will be in Canada through Thursday evening on a press trip and I am ridiculously excited because it’s an adrenaline-themed press trip that’s packed with outdoor activities like zip lining. The itinerary is non-stop and full of adventure. I’ll be sure to take you guys along for the ride and blog about everything whenever I have a free minute.
Travel to Ottawa
My alarm went off at 4 a.m. this morning and I headed to the airport half-asleep to board the first flight out to New Jersey.
Even though my flight took off on time and had no issues, my travels got off to a rocky start yesterday. I completely forgot to pack my passport and didn’t realize it until after I drove two hours to Jacksonville where I planned the spend the night at my parents’ place to avoid waking up before 3 a.m. to drive to the Jacksonville airport this morning. Thankfully Ryan was a total sweetheart and met me halfway between Ocala and Jacksonville with my passport last night. What a guy! He even brought Sadie along for a little fieldtrip, so I got to say goodbye to both of them again. I miss those two already!
My first flight to New Jersey went well and I did my best to sleep even though I was a little restless. I always get so amped up whenever I travel and have a hard time sleeping on the flight out. I just want to get the fun started!
I had a layover in New Jersey and spent 10 minutes or so in the bathroom doing my makeup because I’m oh so classy.
I wasn’t the only one with this plan. There were three other women doing the same thing and we joked that the small bathroom was the Newark Airport Salon. I am always in awe of the people who come to the airport at 5 a.m. looking glamorous with their make up done and their hair curled. I look like a train wreck.
Speaking of makeup, have any of you guys tried this lip color?
It’s Josie Maran magic marker lip stain and it’s fabulous.
It was sent to me a while ago by FabFitFun in a beauty box and I immediately loved it. I thought I lost it months ago, but when I was packing up my makeup for this trip yesterday morning, I found it again. Hooray!
Breakfast
Once I was done freshening up, I walked out into the terminal to find breakfast. The options were rather slim, so I bought a whole wheat bagel topped with cream cheese.
Would you like a bagel with that cream cheese? Yeesh! I like cream cheese as much as the next girl but ended up scraping some of it off because I’m willing to wager that whoever topped that bagel used an entire tub of cream cheese.
Now it’s time to turn off the computer. I have about 30 minutes left on this flight before we touch down in Ottawa! I hope you guys have a great Monday and I’ll check back in soon!
Question of the Afternoon
- Have you ever been to Canada?
I’ve been to Canada one time before but I was too young to remember much about the trip. I’m ready to soak it all in this time around!
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Yay for Canada!
Hope you have a great time here in Ottawa — hope it’s not too cold for you! 🙂
It is GORGEOUS. I am loving it so far!! (This post was obviously published on a delay.) I can’t wait to explore more this week. <3
AHHH so jealous of all the fun you’re going to have! I’ve never heard of an adrenaline based press release, but it sounds awesome :). Have fun! Can’t wait to hear about all the great things you get to do 😀
Sounds like an absolutely amazing trip to go on!
I’m from canada but sadly haven’t travelled much in the east except for Ottawa years ago!
Can’t wait to read about your adventures!
Canada is awesome. I’ve only been to British Columbia for skiing. It is a beautiful place! Have fun!!
Welcome to Canada! I’m from out west, but have travelled most of the country and have lots of family in Ontario. I might be a bit biased but it’s a beautiful here. Have fun!
Enjoy Ottawa! Wish you were coming to Toronto (Ottawa is about 6hrs east of me. Dang!!!!)
Oh Canada! I have only been to Canada a few times. Funny to say it was during college, to take advantage of there legal drinking age (19?). It made for some great fuzzy memories in Victoria and Vancouver!
At first I thought you’d made the bagel yourself with that much cream cheese and I was like wow but also a bit like mmm delicious! Haha 🙂
I am lucky to get out of bed at that time let alone curl hair? Can’t believe how organized some women are.
I went to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side when I was four and I only remember one or two moments. Want to go back soon though!
Have fun! Can’t wait to hear all about it! yeah for your stop in NJ (even if it was a short one)! 🙂
Have a great trip! And I hope you enjoy Canada. I’ve only been to Niagara Falls if it counts!
Wahoo! Welcome to Canada:)
I haven’t tried that exact lip stain, right now I’m so obsessed with the nars lip pencils. They are basically a lipstick in pencil form. They are just gorgeous on.
I was in in Canada four years ago. Massive fan! I was in Vancouver and Whistler (did the zip lining, so much fun!!!) Favourite place I’ve ever visited has to be Whistler, and fav city defo Vancouver, it just has everything! Beautiful city! Where abouts you headed?
Sounds like fun! Can you tell me how you get to be a part of these trips? I’m a writer as well and would love to do some press trips. Please share 🙂
Wow! So jealous! I bet it’s just gorgeous. I’ve never been there, but would LOVE to go someday! Have a blast!
I’ve been the Canada a few times. My dad went to college at McGill in Montreal, so we visit his friends up there once in a while…he even got my brother and me Canadian citizenship since he’s so obsessed with Canada. Ha! Montreal is incredible!
Have fun! I’ve never been to Canada but it sounds awesome!
Have a great trip – an adrenaline-themed press trip sounds amazing and I can’t wait to hear about it! I’ve never been to Canada and can’t wati to one day visit Vancouver, among other spots.
Sounds exciting…I have been to Vancouver and it was beautiful. Much cooler than So. California. I’m a chicken when it comes to the cold. 🙂 Enjoy your trip!
I’m actually living in Quebec, born and raised! Even though I live in Canada I haven’t visited much out west. Id rather go to Europe for the same price for a plane ticket 😉 hopefully you’ll have an amazing time and you won’t be too cold!!
I never do my makeup until later in the day when traveling too!!
I live about 30 minutes from the US (Detroit)/Canada, so I’ve been there a billion times. It’s pretty much the same, but maybe the people are more polite and they take their hockey very seriously. 🙂
^^ forgot the word “border”! I live 30 minutes from the US/Canada border.
Welcome to Canada! I’m currently living in Ottawa for university. Hope you enjoy!
Oh, and make sure to stop in the Byward Market downtown and try a Beavertail!
I was going to say the same thing! Beavertails are a must! Enjoy our lovely capital city!
Yay! I’m from Canada and actually spent some time living in Ottawa! It is a beautiful city! If you have time, make sure to explore the Byward Market! There is so much to see, including Canada’s oldest and largest market and great shops and dining! Heck, you should even grab yourself a beaver tail! Have fun!! 🙂
I live in Canada! (East Coast though, not Ontario!) Have a great time in Ottawa! Can’t wait to follow the blog this week! 🙂
The one and only time I have been to canadavwas in Montreal for eight grade field trip…Seventeen years ago! My friends and I still reminisce to our hotel room adventures when we were 13!
Whaaat! Ottawa… so random! Whereabouts in Ottawa?? I live here! I love it, and I’m sure you will too. Have fun!
http://www.letgothelinear.wordpress.com
Do you like FitFabFun? I’ve been sampling a lot of subscription services lately and this one seems very intriguing!
Fun! I’ve never been to canada-so take lots of pics for me!
Pretty lip color!
My husband and I went to Niagara Falls in Canada for our first wedding anniversary. There are so many other places I would love to visit in Canada though! Hopefully one day!
My husband and I were in line to board a plan to Hawaii for our honeymoon when I realized I didn’t have my drivers license! I had placed my license in my jeans pocked the day before and that evening had packed the pants into my luggage bag, with my license! We had already checked our bags before I realized what I had done! Thankfully airport security let me through with my student ID card and my Costco card, both had my photo on them. Honeymoon crisis averted! Thankfully you remembered your passport before you got to the boarder, I don’t think they would be as understanding!
*plane. Oops 😉
haha I’m always the person putting makeup on in the airport bathoom. I never wear any when I fly so as soon as I land somewhere I always duck into the bathroom to put my face on.
Sounds like it will be a blast! I’m excited to hear about your adventures 🙂
Have I EVER been to Canada?! We road trip there almost every year since we live in NY and so many of our relatives live up there! I’ve never been to Ottawa though.
I must say that is A LOT of cream cheese! I’m hoping to go to Canada at the beginning of next year – enjoy your stay!
Jay
The cream cheese on that makes me gag haha! I can’t stand the texture!
love your blog! I am born and raised in Ottawa, still live here so very excited to hear that you are visiting my beautiful city!
so much to see, hopefully you are staying downtown. A walk down the Rideau Canada is definitely the best way to see the city, and our Parliament buildings are pretty spectacular.
not sure how long you’re here but I live in Westboro, a trendy neighbourhood about 10 minutes west of downtown, very urban, and very “active focused” with tons of shops that sell activewear and sports-related gear (MEC, westboro sports, one tooth, lululemon, etc) It’s Richmond Road near Churchill (about 3 blocks on either side). this area also has some of the best restaurants in the city (let me know if you need recommendations!)
enjoy your stay!
Karinne
Think she meant Rideau Canal…
stupid Auto Correct… thanks 🙂
How fun! I’ve been to the Newark airport many times but never to the Newark Airport Salon. Will have to visit next time I’m there 😉
I have only been to Canada once a long time ago and only for a night in Windsor (on the border). I would love to go to Ottawa. Looking forward to reading about your experience!
I used to travel to Canada a lot for work. Mostly in the Toronto area, a little bit in Montreal. I once spent a weekend in Ottawa just so I could say I had been there. It was in the dead of winter and the temperature never got above 10. Even though I have lots of work-stress memories about Canada, I still love it and will hopefully go back on vacation someday.
I live in Canada and love it…although i would move to Seattle in a millisecond!
Beavertails, poutine, dill pickle chips, ketcup chips and Coffee Crisp are MUST HAVES TO TRY…. Ditto Smarties (we call ur version of smartiea “rockets”
And Tim Hortons of course
I live in Michigan so going to Canada for us Michiganders is no big deal, but it is fun all the same. Hope you bundle up though because it’s getting a bit chillier in these parts!!
Canadians love you! Hope you have a great trip!
I also live in Ottawa – it’s a great city! Seconded on the lululemon – they sell amazing workout gear. The three neighborhoods I would recommend are the Byward Market, The Glebe and Westboro. Restaurant recommendations are Play, the Works and Feleena’s. Hope you enjoy the city – it’s getting a bit cold! If you have time you could also go to Gatineau Park to see some of the fall colours.
OMG I LIVE in Ottawa!! I am so shocked to read this! What event are you going to be at?!
I’ve never been, but I’d love to go! My boyfriend will be traveling there all next summer for a work contract, so maybe I’ll get to tag along one week…
Sounds like you will have a very exciting week!! Enjoy and take lots of pics – obv! I’ve been to Canada once – Niagra Falls….so just on the very border! lol
-Sammy @ peaceandloveandicecream.blogspot.com
Woohoo Quebec! Hope you have an incredible time there. It really is breathtaking in that part of the country this time of year. I’m originally from Ontario but moved to Alberta (Calgary) about 5 years ago. I’ll admit that I love living minutes from the mountains but miss the leaves this time of year.
Hope you love Ottawa! I am currently living here and absolutely love the city, hope you have a great time.
Your Canadian Subscriber!! 🙂
Your husband is so sweet to bring your passport to you! At least halfway 🙂 Crisis averted!
Welcome to my home town!!! Hope you get time to explore !! You picked a perfect week to be here!!!! If you have time for dinner suggestions try ‘ side door’ down town… Amazing small plate sharing!! Oh and a beaver tail… Like a funnel cake but Canadian!!!!!
So many Canadians love you Julie! I live about 1.5 hrs from Ottawa along the St.Lawrence River, Ottawa is one of my favourite Cities! I’m actually live right along the border, and my boyfriend lives in NY State, so we hop back and forth all the time. Hope you enjoy Canada, make a trip to the 1000 Islands sometime in the future, you’d love the hiking and river activities! Oh, and definitely try a Beavertail and Tim Hortons coffee…both Canadian staples!