Many moons ago, during a spring break week in college, I booked a solo trip to New York City, I spent the entire week alone, unplugged from my phone, with only a guidebook of the city in hand, and a very tight student budget, it was quite the experience. Seeing one of the most inspiration filled cities in the world was mesmerizing, though the short week quickly came to an end, but it has hit me with a rather long-term travel bug. On the flight back to LA, I jotted down the next 10 places I wanted to visit before I turn 30 in my notebook, and the dreaming began.

Easter Island
Copenhagen, Denmark
Iceland
New Zealand
Australia
India
Japan
Greece
Morocco
Galapagos Islands

How am I doing on that list you might ask? 3/10 as of August 2014, a bit far from my goal sadly but I still have a couple of years to make a run at it, 3 countries a year? Ha!

On the topic of traveling, as much I enjoy going to new places, I don't like long-haul flights, the TV dinner food, the stuffy, recycled cabin air, screaming toddlers(if you are a parent flying with a toddler, I salute you.) and I have terrible flying anxiety. But over the years I have learned to manage my flight stress and make the experience more enjoyable, with the help from a few flying essentials in my carry on.

1. Longchamp Le Pliage foldable Travel Bag, a must have for me, durable, lightweight, folds away nicely when not in use.2, H&M infinity knitted scarf (old), this scarf is HUGE, and very warm. It's my pillow, blanket, jacket, you name it.&nb… — 1. Longchamp Le Pliage foldable Travel Bag, a must have for me, durable, lightweight, folds away nicely when not in use.
2, H&M infinity knitted scarf (old), this scarf is HUGE, and very warm. It's my pillow, blanket, jacket, you name it.
3. Book & Notebook + Pen, long flights are the best time for me to work through a book, I don't sleep well on planes so it's perfect to catch up on my reading.
4. Muji Clear Toiletry Bag, TSA can be a pain, adhere by their rules as much as possible.
5. Portable Battery for phone/ipad, this one by Jackery holds at least 2.5 iphone recharge, so handy.
6. Zojirushi Thermal Mug, this mug keeps your liquid of choice hot/cold ALL DAY. Bring it to the airport empty and have the FA fill it up for you when you board, stay hydrated!
7. Make-up Bag, for pre-landing touch-ups.
NOT SHOWN HERE:
Muji Travel Pillow, another must have, I don't go on long flights without it.
Compression Socks, I swell up like a balloon in the air, with the socks i'm 95% swell free in my legs/feet.

Dental hygiene products, dry shampoo, avene facial spray, mini loccitane hand cream, lip balm, facial moisturizer & bioderma in muji bottles, Dermalogical hydrating mask, and Nuxe Dry Oil (for hair and body)

Garnier roller concealer, skin79 bb cream, boscia blotting Paper, eyeliner, ear plugs, chanel travel size mascara, buxom lip gloss, maybelline cream eyeshadow, anessa sunscreen, Makeupforever Aqua Brow + Brush, Chanel perfume sample, mirror.

That's it, everything I need in my carry on to ease the flying process for this anxious traveler. Of course, with most airlines you are allowed another personal item as well (Backpack/Purse/Laptop case). I usually go with the backpack option, with a little crossbody bag thrown in there. It will hold the more important items like wallet, boarding pass, passport/ID, sunglasses etc.

And if you are interested, check out my most recent trip to Taiwan, here, here and here. Taiwan was beautiful, food was amazing, and the people were warm and hospitable, it wasn't on my list before but it definitely should have been.