Ahead of Schedule

As it was kindly pointed out to me today, I only have two more "wake-ups" in the states before I leave for five whole months.  While as exciting as that sounds, it's also slightly terrifying.... since I hadn't started packing yet!!!!   I am a professional procrastinator though.  (I often think I do my best work when I don't have time to make mistakes.) But today, I packed!

Well, to be truthful, I didn't just pack.  At 5am this morning, my mom woke me up so I could go shopping to et the last few things.  After an hour and a half drive to my local Walmart, I retrieved the essential last items for my trip.  Along with 100% deet to ward off the sand flies who are sure to try to devour  me, a boat load of medicine to keep me healthy and other basic essentials, I picked up some other pretty cool things.

My favorite thing was this.......

Yes, you are correct.  It is a toothbrush, but it's no ordinary toothbrush.  It folds in half and becomes it's own carrying case!!!!!  It's super awesome :) (Walmart- $1.29)

I also got this......

This is a gorillapod.  This fabulous contraption is a tripod that you can also twist and maneuver to grip on to different objects/surfaces to set up cool pictures.  Just set your timer on your camera and wa-la! Self-portraits that show your whole face!  (To those of you who have ever taken pictures with me, you know full faces don't normally appear in them.)

And last of all, I got the ingredients for my last family dinner before I leave.  Since I will be headed to Denver Sunday morning, Saturday (ahh! that's tomorrow!!!) is my last day with my family so we're going to have a special, sit-down-and-enjoy-our-time-together-dinner.  This also means that I get to do some cooking with my mom, which is one of my favorite things to do in the whole world. <3 

Tomorrow is going to be about spending time with the people I love, before I start loving them from the other side of the world.

And that my friends, is why I decided to stop procrastinating and REALLY PACK today, one day ahead of schedule.  Currently, my checked bag weighs 44 pounds and that's with me throwing things such as fruit snacks, a barney towel, a rubber duck,  honey sticks and granola bars in just because I had extra room. (The limit is 50 pounds)  I also packed my carry on and it is five pounds under the limit at 10lbs.  All that is left to pack are my last minute items and my computer in my personal bag and I should be good to go! Cheers!