Packing Up My Life!
Okay. I'm just going to start this by saying that I am a chronic over-packer. As a kid, I once brought a giant backpack, a suitcase (which I borrowed from one of my parents, feeling very officially Adultish), and a duffel bag to a weekend sleepover with a friend. So, how could I possibly prepare to pack everything I could possibly need for a year away from home?
I decided to start the packing process by getting rid of general stuff that I don't need. I cleaned out my closet, my desk, and all the random tubs of things lying around my room. As someone who mainly goes to thrift stores and really loves interesting combinations of clothes, I had a lot of extra novelty pieces that I never have worn, or will ever wear (including a sweater vest with bedazzled sunglasses and stripes slapped on as a quirky design). I realized that in order for me to "make space" for all of the new experiences I would have during my exchange year and college, I had to physically clear out my things.
Three tubs of giveaway items in the garage later, I was finally ready to pack. I filled up the giant purple suitcase that my mom and I picked out, and it was pretty much full after I had packed all of the gifts I would be bringing. After squeezing everything else in, my suitcase was eighty pounds, which was thirty pounds more than what is allowed for checked luggage.
So, we decided to go back to Bon-Ton's going out out business sale (worth a stop!), and we picked up another suitcase. Today, I finished packing everything I'll need. I have it all planned out: what book to bring on the plane (The Fellowship of the Ring); what I need in my carry-on (pajamas! a calendar! pictures!); and how much each checked bag weighs (both are exactly 48.4 pounds). Feeling prepared is definitely my way to stay sane during all the transition.
I leave tomorrow morning, and will travel from Toronto directly to Mumbai. I'm excited, but also super nervous! I think that change doesn't really feel real until it's actually happening, and I think that I won't feel like my exchange year is real until I'm on the plane. I'll write about the travel process, and how everything goes :)
I decided to start the packing process by getting rid of general stuff that I don't need. I cleaned out my closet, my desk, and all the random tubs of things lying around my room. As someone who mainly goes to thrift stores and really loves interesting combinations of clothes, I had a lot of extra novelty pieces that I never have worn, or will ever wear (including a sweater vest with bedazzled sunglasses and stripes slapped on as a quirky design). I realized that in order for me to "make space" for all of the new experiences I would have during my exchange year and college, I had to physically clear out my things.
Three tubs of giveaway items in the garage later, I was finally ready to pack. I filled up the giant purple suitcase that my mom and I picked out, and it was pretty much full after I had packed all of the gifts I would be bringing. After squeezing everything else in, my suitcase was eighty pounds, which was thirty pounds more than what is allowed for checked luggage.
So, we decided to go back to Bon-Ton's going out out business sale (worth a stop!), and we picked up another suitcase. Today, I finished packing everything I'll need. I have it all planned out: what book to bring on the plane (The Fellowship of the Ring); what I need in my carry-on (pajamas! a calendar! pictures!); and how much each checked bag weighs (both are exactly 48.4 pounds). Feeling prepared is definitely my way to stay sane during all the transition.
I leave tomorrow morning, and will travel from Toronto directly to Mumbai. I'm excited, but also super nervous! I think that change doesn't really feel real until it's actually happening, and I think that I won't feel like my exchange year is real until I'm on the plane. I'll write about the travel process, and how everything goes :)
Here are some pics of my Mom helping me pack :)
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