FGS 2011 - Planning for the Trip

Since I live in Arizona and the FGS2011 conference is in Illinois, I have been making plans for some time.  I have had my hotel reservations, conference registration and flight plans for a few months.  Now, since I'm leaving in less than one week, I need to make all of those last minute arrangements.

I can't forget an umbrella.  (Arizona rain storms don't last long enough to need one here.)  I also need to bring a jacket.  And not just one for sitting inside.  The high temperatures in Springfield during the past week have been lower than the low temperatures in Phoenix.  So I'll need a jacket for mornings and evenings. 

Since I won't have a car, I need to be sure I have all of those little extras:  over-the-counter meds; pens/pencils;  sticky notes; snacks (to keep up my energy).  I'll be taking the train from Chicago, so I need to have a map of how to get to the hotel from the train station.  (I don't mind a few blocks walk and I have a roll-on suitcase.  Of course, I'll also have my computer case so I'll need to make sure I don't make it too heavy.)  Oh, yes.  I need to make plans for getting my notes and anything (Anything? Everything!) else I purchase from the vendors into the two cases on Sunday when it's time to leave Springfield. 

 I received the syllabus online.  Now I need to decide exactly what sessions I want to attend.  Of course, I may make changes once I arrive.  But I want to have a basic plan.  Unfortunately, I found conflicts at some time periods; two or three sessions I want to attend at the same time.  Well, that's what CDs are for.  And I know I can purchase some at the conference.  I just need to decide which session to attend and which one to get a CD for.

I think I'm ready.  I'm a list-maker, so I have a list started.  During the next few days I'll cross off items as I pack them and add items as I think of something else I'll need.  I'm looking forward to the trip (except perhaps for the security at the airport), but the conference is worth it.  Definitely!!