AUG 2019
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When I opened my own law firm, I had no idea how much traveling I’d have to do. Attorneys are licensed on a state-by-state basis, so I figured there wouldn’t be much need to leave the friendly confines of my practice area. After a law school education spent driving from Kentucky to Michigan and back every weekend, I was looking forward to not being on the go so much. But, boy, was I wrong about that. When I began researching ways to become a better firm owner, I realized travel would be extremely helpful. As nice as most of the attorneys in Louisville are, they are not going to open up their strategic playbook to me. Fair enough, I say, but there are attorneys from other areas of the country who will do just that. Joining groups of like-minded attorneys who want to help each other better serve their clients has been one of the most beneficial endeavors I’ve undertaken. The only downside is that I often have to log hundreds of miles to meet up with these folks. This summer has been an example of what a whirlwind business travel can be. In June, I went to New Orleans for a summit of personal injury attorneys. In July, I had business events in Jackson Hole and Orlando. Sandwiched between those was a trip to watch my son, John, graduate from basic training, with a stop in Atlanta along the way to meet his girlfriend at the airport. Oh, and during the few days my husband, Dave, and I were home together for Independence Day, two massive trees came down in our front yard. Needless to say, making time for a full-fledged family vacation among all these other events is simply impossible. And given how busy my kids’ lives have become, getting them all together for more than one or two days at a time takes a herculean amount of effort. Luckily, I’ve hit upon a unique strategy to combine business travel with quality family time. I call it the “plus-one” system. CONFERENCES COMBINING BUSINESS TRAVEL AND QUALITY FAMILY TIME BRING YOUR KIDS TO BUSINESS
Melissa and Dave at Yellowstone
together free of any other obligations. Is it a dream getaway without a care in the world? Nope, but it does offer the chance to have a unique experience we wouldn’t get during any other type of vacation. Jessica, my younger daughter, is curious about pursuing law, so I figured it would be fun to bring her along for my trip to New Orleans. One day, I had a lunch meeting and Jessica had
Jessica and Melissa at Café Du Monde
to fend for herself. When I returned to the hotel, she was having lunch with two incredible female attorneys who were giving her career and life advice. “How cool is this?” I thought to myself as I watched her chat it up. “Where else could Jessica have an experience like this?” Similarly, for my trip to Orlando, I signed up Zachary, our youngest, for an entrepreneurship workshop that coincides with my legal event. For as long as any of us can remember, he’s always wanted to be a businessman. With a trip like this one, we both get the opportunity to better ourselves, learn some new concepts, and share some quality time in the bargain. Maybe one day my family will have a chance to get together, clear the decks, and enjoy a week or two without a care in the world. I’m not holding my breath for that, though, and I’ve begun to appreciate our piecemeal approach to vacationing. Who says you can’t combine business with pleasure?
-Melissa Emery
On many business trips, I bring along a plus-one, either Dave or one of my children. We often add a day to the trip to give us time to explore a place
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GETTING VERY SLEEPY ...
ESTABLISHING A BEDTIME ROUTINE FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR
MAKE IT EASY Though the days may be getting shorter, it’s still relatively light out at night, making it nearly impossible for your kids to doze off when they should. Sleep experts recommend creating a sleeping space that mimics a cave: dark, cool, and quiet. This means sunlight shouldn’t sneak into the room, and the home should be a quiet zone after bedtime. No one wants to sleep while everyone else is having fun, so it’s important that everyone in the home is quiet at bedtime. JUST RELAX This is a rule your family should follow year-round, not just when you want to reestablish a routine. At a certain time each night, begin the nightly wind-down. For example, at 8 p.m. shut off your screens, put on pajamas, and engage in a relaxing activity, like reading a book or doing some yoga. Signaling to your body and your family that it’s time for bed will help your kiddos, and you, fall asleep at an appropriate time.
Between vacations, bonfires, and sporting tournaments, your children’s sleep schedule probably went on break when they did this summer. With school fast approaching, it’s vital to get your kids back on a proper sleep schedule. In fact, according to the National Sleep Foundation, getting enough sleep can significantly improve a child’s growth and cognitive function. But getting a restful night’s sleep is easier said than done when kids have had almost complete freedom for three months. Try these tips to get your kids snoozing through August and prepared for school. START EARLY AND GO SLOWLY When practicing this tip, think of the old adage: “It takes 21 days to break a habit.” If your kids have been going to bed late this summer, set a time when they must go to bed, but don’t make it too far off the time they have been regularly hitting the hay. If they shuffle off to bed around 10 p.m., push their bedtime to 9:45 p.m., and then push it back to 9:30 p.m. one week later. Slowly work your way back to an appropriate time, and bedtime will be easier when school starts.
ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS
WHAT TO PACK FOR A LONG DRIVE
WATER, SNACKS, AND A COOLER Staying hydrated and well-fed is essential when you’re logging hundreds of miles in a day. If you don’t want to rely on truck-stop snacks or fast-food drive- thrus, you should pack plenty to eat and drink. At the very least, you should have plenty of water and a couple of reusable bottles to fill up at stops. BLANKET, FLASHLIGHT, AND FIRST-AID KIT You may not need these items, but you’ll be thankful to have them if called upon. Getting stranded in a car stinks, but it’s not so bad when you have the tools to stay warm and safe while you wait for roadside services.
Is any type of summer vacation more American than a road trip? Traversing the country on four wheels is an experience unlike any other, thanks to our country’s vast landscape and comprehensive highway system. It offers more freedom and possibility than an all-inclusive getaway, but it doesn’t come without its own drawbacks. There’s nothing worse than being hundreds of miles from civilization without the supplies you need, so it’s important to be prepared before you hit the road. The most important form of preparation, of course, is making sure your car is fully serviced before departure. Once you know your car can handle the trek, it’s time to put the necessary supplies in it. Here’s a checklist of items everyone should bring on a road trip. SUNGLASSES, SUN VISOR, AND SUNSCREEN Stepping into a sweltering car on a summer day is nobody’s idea of refreshing. Driving with the sun blasting in your face isn’t just uncomfortable; it’s dangerous. For long summer drives, it’s important to bring tools that limit the negative impact of the sun on your driving experience.
EXTRA CHARGING CABLES AND A MAP We’ve come to rely on modern navigation tools to get us where we’re going. You’ll want to make sure your phone has enough battery to get you to your destination. As a backup, bring along some maps. After all, you never know when service may cut out, especially if you’re driving through unfamiliar areas.
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TOOLS FOR THRIFTY TRAVELERS SERVICES THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO SAVE ON YOUR VACATION In this month’s cover article, I discussed the ways in which I combine business travel with quality time with my loved ones. While that could probably be considered a life hack in and of itself, it’s not the only way I save on my vacations. Today, you don’t need a fancy travel agent to take advantage of off-the-beaten- path deals; all you need is a working internet connection. Here are a few services to check out the next time you’re planning a trip. GROUPON Most people know of Groupon as a way to get deals on spas, restaurants, and the like. Beyond these local services, the site also has a dedicated travel page with deals on everything from hotels to all-inclusive packages with airfare included. In fact, Dave and I used Groupon to plan our entire honeymoon. MOMONDO, KAYAK, AND SKYSCANNER Dozens of sites let you compare prices on airfare. While everyone has a different opinion on which is best, this trio always receives strong plaudits from users and critics alike. They’re an invaluable resource if you want to make sure you’re not getting hosed on airfare prices. Skyscanner also has data on when the optimal time to book a flight is. According to the service, domestic flights are cheapest 2–3 weeks before your departure date. Who knew? AIRBNB Hotels are far from the only accommodation option these days. I’ve experienced the benefits of Airbnb firsthand, using it on a number of my trips. One benefit of Airbnb is that you can really find a space that meets your needs rather than being stuck to the usual two queens or one king set-up offered by most hotels. If you wait until the last minute, when renters are desperate to get someone into their property, you can score some killer deals. Unless you win a radio contest or dominate on an appearance of “Wheel of Fortune,” traveling is always going to cost something. How much it costs, though, is largely up to how creative you’re willing to get. Dig a little deeper, and you’ll often find a vacation isn’t as pricey as you thought.
ROASTED CORN SALSA
Inspired by Bon Appétit magazine
Corn is plentiful during the summer months, and this easy-to-make salsa is sure to be a hit at your next get-together.
INGREDIENTS
• 2 medium ears of corn, shucked • 1 jalapeño or Fresno chile, seeded and thinly sliced • 1/2 red onion, diced • 1 large tomato, cored, seeded, and finely chopped • 1/4 bunch cilantro leaves, sliced • Juice of 1 lime • Kosher salt, to taste
DIRECTIONS
1. Heat a cast-iron skillet to high. Char corn, turning occasionally, for 10–14 minutes until kernels begin to blacken in spots. 2. Using a sharp knife, remove corn kernels from cobs and transfer to a large mixing bowl. 3. With a wooden spoon or potato masher, gently crush corn to release starch and juices. 4. Add jalapeño, onion, tomato, and cilantro. Mix to combine.
5. Top with lime juice and season with salt. 6. Serve alongside your favorite tortilla chips.
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HOW I NAVIGATE A PACKED CALENDAR 1 GET YOUR KIDS BACK ON A SLEEP SCHEDULE IS YOUR CAR READY FOR A ROAD TRIP? 2 HOW TO SAVE BIG ON YOUR NEXT VACATION ROASTED CORN SALSA 3 THE ART OF STARGAZING 4 INSIDE
THE ART OF STARGAZING M odern humans are stuck in a routine of expected and constant industriousness. But with all this rushing, people often drag themselves home at night with no energy left to enjoy the most splendid show nature has to offer: the wondrous night sky.
HELPING HUMANS SLOW DOWN AND LOOK UP
Most people go through life looking straight ahead, but if they would stop and peer skyward, they’d bear witness to a massive, unexplored frontier made up of the moon in all its phases, burning stars sailing through the sky, constellations with epic origin stories, and meteor showers bright enough to warrant sunglasses. If you’re looking for a hobby to help you slow down and appreciate the world around you, stargazing is a great option. Here are some tips to get you started.
benefit for aspiring stargazers. For example, Starwalk lets you point your phone at the sky to see stars, constellations, and planets in real time based on your location.
1. THE HIGHER, THE BETTER If you’re a city dweller, meander a little way out of town or try to find a tall building to keep the light pollution to a minimum.
4. MARK YOUR CALENDAR In 1972, beloved singer-songwriter John Denver wrote about a meteor shower he witnessed during a camping trip in Colorado. He describes the scene by singing, “I’ve seen it raining fire in the sky.” The “fire” he recounted was actually the Perseids meteor shower, the most recognized shower on Earth. This astrological wonder takes place every year from July 17 to Aug. 24. During this time, viewers should be able to see shooting stars associated with the Perseids, but the shower reaches its maximum rate of activity on Aug. 12–13 this year. Grab some friends and family, and head outdoors to put your newfound stargazing knowledge to work.
2. EXTRA SET OF EYES While novice stargazers often want to immediately throw their money at a new telescope, astronomy experts recommend starting with binoculars instead. You’ll need to identify several anchor planets or constellations to help you navigate the sky before using a telescope.
3. UTILIZE ASSETS Put your phone to good use by downloading apps like Stellarium, Starwalk, and Google Sky Map. Each of these apps offers a unique
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