Laos Cycle: A Girl With 150 Toothbrushes

Have you ever wondered why Bobby Pins are called Bobby Pins?  I hadn’t given it much thought until working down my list of things to pack for my trip to Laos for the Save the Children Mother’s Day Cycle Challenge.   Well, now I know: The name stems from the use of such pins to hold the 1920’s bob cut hairstyle…which is totally unrelated to this post.  Maybe I wanted to start with something trivial because it’s been tough getting to this point.

Last night, I cried.  After a huge week, I didn’t feel like I could do it all, everything from organising food and washing, to getting the house sorted and my own personal packing.  After the younger kids were in bed, I sat, feeling defeated.  On top of it all, I carry the joyous burden of being a mother. I miss the kids when I go away, I worry, and the work it takes to make something like this happen…is…a mammoth job.

I think I may have said something along the lines of, “I don’t want to go.”  Maybe to myself. And my eldest daughter came up behind me and lay a hand on my shoulder.  She said, “Mum, I want you to go.  You’ve been training so hard and it would be a shame if you didn’t go and do this.”  She went on to tell me how proud she was of me.  Right now, I can’t think of anything more beautiful than the words of my daughter encouraging me.  To have her confidence, to see her pride in me, is something I will never, ever take for granted.

So I had my mini-meltdown, and then rested and regrouped.  The morning came, as it does, and everything seemed a little brighter. I threw myself into it and here I am, ready to go. Still a little apprehensive, but that’s normal for me.

Packing

I like to lay things out in piles as I pack so I can see clearly what I have.

(In my) Suitcase

Pillow slip & a sheet (handy for remote places)

Shoes

Camera Bag

Everyday clothes

Cycling clothes

Cycling gear

Shoes (sneakers & 2 pairs of mox shoes — awesome for travelling)

Socks

Scarfs

Underwear

Sleepwear

Spare zip-lock bags

Make-up

Toiletries

Medicines

Power cord adaptor (for relevant country)

Toiletries

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

Soap

Norwex face clothes

Dry shampoo

Shampoo

Razor

Make-up

Face moisturiser cream

BB cream (Clarins)

Pressed powder

Lip gloss

Mascara

Pot of bronzer/eyeshadow

(In my) Backpack

Small laptop

purse

Money wallet

Travel documents

Book

iPhone

Borne Naked Clear Mini bag

Papaw ointment

Sunscreen

Brush

Hair ties

Bobby Pins

Sunglasses

Lip gloss

Tissues

Hand sanitizer

Deodorant

Medicine (pain relief, anti-malaria tablets)

150 Toothbrushes

Did I mention I have an entire suitcase dedicated t0 toothbrushes? 150 of them.  My children think it’s hilarious.  Carrying all these Oral B toothbrushes (gifted by P & G) for the children I’ll visit in Laos, makes me glad.

Training

On my run route near home, there’s this torturous hill — long and steep — right near the end.  I’ve never been able to run up the entire way until this week. *Fist Pump*

I’ve been consistently training, especially for the last 2 months — 5-6 times every week (Group PT sessions and running).  I’m feeling ready to do this cycle.

This post is all over the place — I’m weary — but I’m packed! I can’t wait to share more from Laos next week. Watch out for me.  I’m the girl with 150 toothbrushes.

Follow

You can follow along the journey with me on Twitter & Instagram using the #LaosCycle13 hashtag