Packing really sucks. A lot.

I finally decided that I should start packing, since I am leaving in, oh, THREE AND A HALF DAYS! Yikes! 

I have been dreading and putting off this phase of my trip because, no matter where I am going or for how long, packing sucks. A lot. 

It really isn't much worse than I expected, but the anxiety that packing for this five-month trip is causing me is unreal. So, as I was filling up my super handy Space Bags (and fit all of my fun clothes into one medium size bag!), I decided that I don't care if I over pack. I am going to bring what I want to bring, what I think is necessary, and what I think I might need (all within reason), and I am NOT going to feel bad about it! So there!!

Okay, so I am telling myself that I am not going to feel bad about packing so much, but I keep having visions of myself struggling through the airport with ridiculous amounts of luggage, just like Snooki & the rest of the cast when Jersey Shore went to Italy (don't judge me, this is a great reference).
 

Snooki with just some of her luggage...and Crocadilly.

Okay, I am not nearly that bad, but seriously, I have a lot of stuff that I want to bring and a lot of stuff that I need to bring - I am moving my entire life 4,500 miles away for five months! I need options!

I have been doing really well with the Space Bags mentioned earlier. They are a great help! I got mine at Walmart - the Super Value Combo Pack of six various sized bags for less than $20 and another set of two large bags for less than $10. Not too bad! 

Even though the Space Bags are going to help me fit all of my stuff into my suitcases, they turn into extremely dense bricks of clothing and are pretty dang heavy. So, I might be able to fit everything I want to take into my luggage, but I highly doubt it will weigh less than 50 pounds.

This is a problem. The overweight baggage charge for British Airways is $60 from any US Departure airport. The charge for an extra bag is also $60 at the airport, but if I pay in advance, it is only $51. Doesn't it make more sense to pay the $51 to have a second bag and a lot more room for my stuff than $60 for my one super-stuffed bag being overweight?

However, just thinking about having two big checked suitcases, a carry-on size suitcase, and a personal item (most likely a backpack), is engaging my Snooki-airport nightmare. Meh.  At least I have a couple of days to figure that mess out!


Other than packing, which really involves a lot lot lot more than clothes and toiletries, I don't have much left to do (packing really is enough)! Unfortunately, most of my friends from home are back at school, and I just don't think I will have to time to go visit them. Hello! Three and a half days!! I need to spend some time with my family, because as much as all of us being crammed together in one house is bugging me out right now, I am really going to miss them while I am away! My mom is already going around the house, pouting and telling me she needs a hug, and even though I don't need a hug right now, I probably will wish I could have one in a couple of weeks.

Ahh...the nerves are setting in!



Other last-minute issues include:

• Getting my student loans from my school to take as spending money...or even receiving any information about that at all - hello?! An email back would be helpful!!
• Purchasing a new battery for my laptop - the "Consider replacing your battery" and "There is a problem with your battery, so your computer might shut down suddenly" messages would start to appear a week before I am scheduled to leave! Even though my laptop is still under warranty, apparently the battery is not. Annoying.
• Not yet receiving documents in the mail that are really important for me to apply for my visa.
• Figuring out how I am going to afford purchasing an iPad. I reaaaalllyy want to get one to take with me, but they are freaking expensive! The benefits of the iPad over more affordable tablets make the hefty price worth it, but I don't want to go abroad with my bank accounts empty because I still don't have my loans (see first bullet)!

Well, that's all for now!