Here I go!

So last Saturday I was planning on trying to get everything packed. My dad came back to MD on Wednesday and I spent my last couple nights with him so I needed to pretty much have everything ready by then. Without really organizing all of my things I wanted to just do a quick trial pack. I really just wanted to see if all the stuff I had set aside would fit and if it would make the weight limit. And it did, even with a few pounds to spare! But then after wheeling the large, stuffed duffel bag around the house a little bit I realized how heavy it still was and how I'd have to be wheeling that around Paris and carrying it up and down many stairs. So I decided to go with a big suitcase instead. I cut down on a few things, and packed everything up in that on Wednesday. It is still under weight limit at about 48 lbs (I get up to 51 lbs), and wheeling that around already feels nicer. I think it has to do with the way the weight is distributed in the suitcase, because the duffel bag literally felt like I was wheeling around a dead body.

Basically the way I have everything packed is like this:

In my big suitcase (thank you, James) I have all my clothes and just about all of my shoes. This includes sweaters, tank tops, t-shirts, dressy tops, dresses, jeans, shorts, underwear, socks, tights, leggings, hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, a jar of peanut butter, and two packs of ramen noodles. I realize that I probably won't need half of the stuff, but it's comforting to have.

Next I have a large backpack. In there I have a couple pairs of shoes, a sweatshirt and sweatpants (gotta have comfy clothes), a winter coat, make-up, toiletries (of the appropriate size of course), electronic stuff (chargers, converters etc.), belts, a French/English dictionary, make-up, jewelry, a teddy bear (also for comfort), and some other random stuff.

Finally I have my smaller backpack, equipped with a laptop, a kindle, books I had bought as teaching aids, an empty water bottle (I plan on filling it up after going through security), a brush, a purse with my passport and wallet in it, gum, and snacks.

I have about 15 pounds that I'll use to get lunch while I am in London waiting to change planes, and then I have about 120 euros for when I get to France. I wish I had more (kinda forgot about getting it from the bank until it was too late), but there should be an ATM at the airport, or that should last me until I get to Saumur where there are definitely ATMs. I didn't end up buying my train ticket from Paris to Saumur ahead of time, because I didn't know which train I'd be able to make. Although it would have saved me some $$$, I feel less pressured this way.

My last week at home has been lovely. I saw my friends last weekend, had lunch with my grandparents on Tuesday, and spent some quality time with my parents the rest of the time. Not to mention eating crabs my last night in Maryland, I mean what could be better than that?

While I am super excited when I think about where I'm going and what I'll be doing, it makes me sad to think about everything and everyone I'll be leaving. I know I am going to miss home a lot, but I also know that time is going to fly, so I plan on enjoying every day.

So as I wear my heaviest boots, comfortable leggings, a t-shirt, and a sweatshirt (yes I am already roasting), my journey begins.

Here I go!