When we flew to China, uh, the plane trip was so long and boring. I could not fall asleep and when I did sleep, it was either for a few hours, or when I was really tired, I fell asleep on the edge of the armrest… when it was still up! I ended up waking up to a dent in my head! When I could not sleep, I was able to watch some of the in-flight movies and TV channels but I still longed for something to do. Fortunately, I pack my backpack for the long twenty-nine-hour journey through airports and airplanes.

Before we headed off to China, I packed some things in my bag that would help me pass the time during the long journey. I had my regular school backpack equipped with shoulder-pads for walking around the airports during the long layovers. I was going to pack up my CD player with most of my CDs, but that was too bulky, so for an early Christmas present, my parents bought me an i pod. It was small, compact, and carried all of my favorite songs on it. I packed a sketchbook, pencils, pens, a journal, a coloring book (I know, very pre-school, but when you have nothing to do, it does come in handy!), some computer games for my dad’s laptop to entertain myself in the hotel room, and anything SMALL, COMPACT, and LIGHT that would pass the time. When packing for a long plane trip, those three words are your best friends. Sometimes you even have to leave some things home, but your back will thank you later. Keep in mind also that the items you place in your backpack are also the things you will be using in your hotel room. Think of things you and your new sibling can do together and pack up items like that as well.

Whatever you pack, remember to keep it small and pack only what you know you will use.