One Week

So, I'm solidly in denial at this point. My brain kind of simply won't accept the fact that this is the real final countdown. I'm getting my ducks in a row, slowly but surely...today was pretty productive. Today was also my mom's birthday. I felt bad, as she spent the day running errands with me, but it was time well spent in each other's company, at least. Mostly I still feel the huge weight of things that need to be done hanging over my head. Clean/box up my room, pack, say real goodbyes to a number of people, learn to speak Korean (that one has been on the list for awhile), etc. etc. I've made a packing list, at least, which took probably far longer than it should. It's hard because I'm torn between bringing as many comforts of home as I possibly can in two 50 lbs. suitcases and bringing actual practical clothing and toiletries that won't provide any homemaking positives. But, I've provided my running packing list below, as I hope it might be useful to anyone considering/working on moving abroad for awhile: 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Packing for a year: aka Impossibility made Possible

Section 1, Wardrobe:

_ Jeans that I actually wear (which accounts for maybe 20% of the jeans I own, so say 3 pairs)

_ Grown up pants (slacks, khakis, etc. 5 pairs)

_ Shorts with an inseam larger than 1 inch (2 pairs)

_ Classroom appropriate skirts (2) 

_ Things you wouldn't wear in front of mom (aka, going out clothes, just in case--1 "dress", 1 "skirt", 2 "blouses")

_ Blouses that cover my tattoo (7)

_Cardigans (5--blame my college roommate, she got me addicted)

_Other shirts (3) 

_Fancy, work appropriate stuff, just in case (2 dresses)

_Yoga pants (aka, grading clothes) (20.) (just kidding...kind of )

_Jackets, sweatshirts, etc (2...will buy something appropriate for snow once I get there.)

_ Pajamas (3 pair) 

_Underwear (365 pairs) (I hate doing laundry) (actually: 20 pairs. For real.)

_Bras (3 functional, 1 totally not-functional but self-confidence boosting)

_Socks (tons)

_Shoes (1 pair heels, 1 pair tennis shoes, 2 pair flats, 1 pair sandals--this is MAYBE 10% of my shoes, so be proud of me)

_Scarves, belts, fun jewelry, headbands, unnecessary girl stuff, etc. (as needed)

You try fitting this in a 50 lb suitcase. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Well, crap. There's 50 lbs. Now to fit everything else in 1 suitcase and a carry-on...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 2, Toiletries:

_ Year's supply of deodorant (while sources vary on whether this is widely available in Korea or not, I'm not going to chance it. Costco is a beautiful thing)

_Makeup (I wear Bare Escentuals, which lasts awhile...but I'll probably bring 2 of each, just in case. I don't deal well with makeup change.)

_ 1 bottle of each of the following...will find necessary replacements in Korea......hopefully: face wash/scrub, shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, shaving cream, body wash, makeup remover. 

_1 bottle of perfume (to be bought, duty free, in airport) 

_ A year's supply of tampons (see note about deodorant. Definitely not risking this one)
_Loofah (mostly air, packs easily)

_Razor/razor blade refills

_Year's supply of medication (insurance is making this difficult...But I, with chronic acid reflux, am certainly not facing a year of Korean food without my daily Nexium.)

_ Contacts, glasses, contact solution etc. (1-800contacts ships internationally for only 20 dollars, if need be!)

_2 bottles of Aquaphor (if you know me, you know this is a must for me)

_Hand Sanitizer (this is probably one of many universal teacher necessities)

_First Aid Kit

_Various "justincase" over the counters: (tylenol, cold medicine, pepto-bismol, anti-this and that, itch cream, bug spray, sunblock etc)

_Towels and Fitted Sheets

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Section 3, Other Stuff (or, stuff I hopefully can fit in my carry-on)

_Computer

_Camera

_iPod

_American phone until I can get a supercoolprobablynotyetreleasedintheUS Korean phone

_3 favorite books

_Guidebooks

_Various charging cords

_Adapters

_Passport, copy of passport

_Other important documents/copies (diploma, visa, birth certificate, contract, insurance outline, certificates, etc)

_Credit Card, Debit Card, International Insurance Card, International Driver's Licence

_Plane ticket (kind of necessary)

_Photos of home (I plan on setting up a small shrine for when I get depressed. These times may also include sitting in a Starbucks with my eyes shut listening to a recording of English small talk. )

_Calendar (my personal favorite this year: "What Cats Teach Us")

A Necessity

_Jar of Peanut Butter (difficult to find, I'm told)

_Empty notebook (to be filled with deep, profound thoughts)

_Red pen (for grading, of course)

---------------------------------------

Section 4, I wish:

_ My cats

_ My bed

_ A few cases of wine

_ Family, friends, lovers, etc. 

_ Year's supply of my mom's mac n cheese

_ A real teacher (we'd Cyrano de Bergerac it)

_ All of my books

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

So, there you have it. I know I'll have to do some paring down probably...but I still have 6 days, right? No problem. Plenty of time.