26/01/2017

Signal Up In The Air!

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Hello future anna. As you might know, my last message was some beach tips that you might need if you visit the beach in the future. So... As i am now back from Aus (p.s. i am back from Australia✈), i thought i would leave some tips on airports and flying, and essentials and how to deal with jetlag that you might need for the future, and if you are listening to this call and you aren't future anna, feel free to use them too.

Now, as of this point, i have only been on 8 planes, and all through etihad. One trip to qatar (4 planes to get there and back), and then Australia (the same as qatar but obviously longer). So if you are reading this future anna and want to update this regarding other airlines and things, feel free. Also, if you have tapped into this call, feel free to let me know more.


Anyway, on with the general airport/flying tips... (That sounded like what miranda says at the start of miranda)

✈ Check in online. Even though there is normally a que/cue (???) for online check in and general check in, the que for online check in is normally (well all the times i have experienced) much shorter or non-existent. This saves time and boredom.
✈ Take a packet of cards or a small game in your hand luggage. This is great if you are waiting at the airport for a while or you are bored on the plane! My cousin and i played uno for about an hour at Abu Dhabi and it was so much fun!!
✈ This is more for booking, but check how much baggage you are allowed so you don't worry. Also, i am a light packer and with the ticket i had, i could have taken another suitcase! I didn't need to, meaning i could have saved over £100 on my ticket, but oh well, at least i had the option to have another bag if needed. But make sure to check what you can and can't take with the ticket you have!
✈ Have your passport and ticket somewhere you can easily grab. You may need to show it to someone and if its at the bottom of your bag, you will be wasting everyones time future anna!! This being said, make sure it isn't on show so someone can easily take it!
✈ On all the planes i have been on so far, i have been fed. However sometimes the food isn't that great or you feel hungry at times when they aren't serving food. You can go and ask the staff for something, but just to be sure, ALWAYS buy a packet of crisps or something at the airport future anna so that you are prepared!
✈ While you are waiting to get through security, check what you need to do at that airport so you are ready when you get to the desk. Do you need to take out all electrical equipment? Are your liquids and things in a bag ready? GET PREPARED FUTURE ANNA!!
✈ And my final tip to remember is to make sure you keep up to date with the departure boards in case your flight or gate changes! This has never happened to me but i am always aware that something may change, and i need to go somewhere else!


Now onto my flying essentials. Be sure not to forget them future anna...

🐦 A spare change of clothes or just spare underwear. If you are on a long flight, a change can be nice and refreshing!
🐦 Toiletries: lip balm, moisturer, face wipes, maybe a little bit of makeup but that's not necessary. Don't go too crazy, you might not even use it, and remember the 100ml limit!!
🐦 Headphones, and make sure you have some good music downloaded on spotify future anna!
🐦 Snacks and drinks! No don't bring a picnic future anna. You might want to buy a packet of crisps or something at the airport because you might get peckish, and having a bottle handy is great because most airports have places where you can fill them up, and they will fill them up on the plane as well. Like i said, don't go crazy, as they do have food and drinks that you can ask for on the plane, but it's nice to have something just in case!
🐦 I like those neck pillows because i find them easier to get to sleep with (not thaf i sleep easily on planes), and luckily etihad provide them BUT remember to take one future anna if you are flying with another airline!
🐦 OBVIOUSLY PHONE PURSE PASSPORT TICKETS!! Duhh!

And finally, JETLAG!! I have never (up to te point i am writing this) experienced crazy jetlag, but i have been a little off schedule with sleep and time, but here are some tips for you future anna from your past self...

🚀 Accept that you will probably experience slight jetlag!!
🚀 Try and arrange your schedule on the plane to what time zone you will be in when you get off (e.g. if you are getting on an evening plane which arrives at your destination late morning, try and sleep so that you are in the right time when you get off, etc, work it out for yourself future anna)
🚀 If you arrive at your destination and feel tired and it isn't time for bed, DO NOT NAP FUTURE ANNA!!! You will mess up you schedule!! Try and stay awake until 7pm at the earliest!! This is the same if you arrive at night and feel wide awake, try and sleep, or at least be in bed so your body starts to get used to the correct times to do things.
🚀 stay strong, you can get through it!!

Those are all the tips i can think of right now future anna, but feel free to add to the lists if you have any more hacks and ideas!!
Even though i have been back from Aus for almost a week now, i am only just starting to get over my little bits of jetlag, but YOU DID IT!! You went to AUSTRALIA!!!! Expect my video diary with my next blog post, i just need to edit it! See you around future anna xoxo

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16/01/2017

Please Leave Your Message After The Beach

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Hey future anna, hope you're doing well! I am still in the land down under and even though it is currently summer in Aus, it is winter at home in the UK. Weird right? Well, this is going to be even weirder. It is january and as i am writing this, i am laying on Shelly Beach in Manly. WHAAA?? It's january and i am on the beach! But remember, Australian seasons are switched. Anyway, the point of this blog post is my tips for visiting the beach, whether at home or abroad, so that you can refer back to them if you go to the beach again. Also feel free to use them if you have intercepted this message.


One: SUNCREAM SUNCREAM AND EVEN MORE SUNCREAM!! I am currently experiencing sunburn and peeling on both of my shoulders and it is something i never wish to experience again. Even if it doesn't look sunny, or it's a little cloudy, PUT IT ON GIRLLLLL!!!!

Two: Always remember to bring a spare change of pants or socks (and any other under garments you may require). If you already have your swimming costume on under your clothes, when you get changed at the end, you need to be wearing pants, which are easy to forget, SO DON'T. Also, even if you are just going to walk along the front, or for a paddle up to your knees, you might get splashed or all sandy, so a change of clothes can be a great backup plan. Better to be safe than sorry.

Three: Toiletries!! Future anna, if you are on your period, remember tampons. They are great if you are in water and you can have a great time without having to worry about mother nature.
There may be showers you can use at the place, but i never bother to bring shower gel or shampoo. This is because, i only use the water to get the layer of sand off and put my clothes on comfortably. I would much prefer to have a shower and wash my hair back at home. But if you aren't taking shower gel and stuff, remember deodorant so you can feel a little fresher. Don't worry, no one cares if you're still a little sandy or smelly. This leads me onto number...

Four: Everyone is in the same boat (ayyyy seaside puns!!). Everyone on the beach is covered in sand, has messy hair, is slightly sunburned, not fully done up, SO DON'T WORRY!! If you aren't looking your best, don't panic, no one is.

Five: THROW THAT SHADE!! No don't. Don't do that. I meant shade. As in when someone uses something to block the sun from shining in a certain place. If you are going somewhere sunny (so not the uk), why not take an umbrella or small tent. Nearly everyone does, and as well as protecting you from the sun, it is somewhere to keep your bags and food and valuables. Also, remember your sunglasses to block out those h8rz and the bright sun. Even though you might want to take them off to go in the sea, they come in handy if you are just chilling.

I think those are the main tips i have right now. If you have anymore future anna, add to the list (and if you have intercepted this call, feel free to let me know if you have any).

So let's end this message with a list of beach essentials so you can remember what to take to the beach, if you ever go future anna:

☀ Towel
☀ Suncream (always take a spare bottle, even if you apply before you go!)
☀ Water (stay hydrated kids!!!)
☀ Spare pants and clothes and things
☀ Deodorant, wet wipes (can come in handy if you take a picnic or there is no where at the beach where you can wash), tampons (remember to dispose of them correctly) and other bits you may need for health and things
☀ A phone (to take pictures to remember the day, and to have a way of contacting someone of there is an emergency), and some money if you want to treat yourself to an icecream or a drink.
☀ Sunglasses
☀ I think that's all the essentials for now, but feel free to add to this future anna

K, I am now going to enjoy the last few days i have in the sun before i have to go back to snow, ice, wind, rain and cold. Bye future anna xoxo

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10/01/2017

Kate's Calling!

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Still in the land down under anna, are you in the uk currently or somewhere else? Anyway, that's not what i wanted to talk about. Today, as well as watching tv and drinking ribena (which is all i seem to live off of in Aus), i met kate.

Well future anna, here is the story:

Just under 3 years ago, i was still doing diys and things on youtube. One day, a channel called GEEK GALAXY left a comment saying that she liked my videos and wanted to know if i wanted to do a video collab. I had never done anything like this before and never really spoken to anyone through youtube before. We started speaking and decided to do a collab video about tetris as we both loved playing it. Geek galaxy AKA kate, did a video on tetris shaped rice krispy treats and i did a video on a tetris charm bracelet. They are here in case you want to see them in the future:

Kate's video!


My video! So cringy...


After making the videos, we kept in contact through messaging and instagram/twitter. She opened a nail business (@thedaintynailspa on insta) and i made films. We have kept in touch on and off over the last 2 and a half years.

When i found out i was going to Sydney for 3 weeks, she said it would be great to meet up, but as Canberra (where she lives) is 3 hours at least drive away, it would have been difficult. Her amazing mum drove her all the way and we met. It's still so surreal thinking about it.

We went to the Macquarie Centre which is a massive shopping place. We visited Daiso (picked up some japanese bargains!!) and had lunch at a super cool sushi place! It was so much fun eating cronuts and singing along to uptown funk which seemed to come on in every shop.



I am so thankful for kate coming all the way to see me. I have always been taught to stay safe online which i completely agree with. I love shows like catfish which really make me think about people i speak to online. Although as soon as a spoke to Kate, i knew we clicked, whether we could meet or not. I don't know if i will ever be able to see kate in person again, so i will cherish today. I wonder if you have ever met up again future anna? I hope so. Also, have you met anyone else online who could be a lifelong feiend?? Speak online later future anna xoxo

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