Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Yellow Fever vaccine

Just found out today that I have 10 days to get a Yellow Fever vaccine.  :( I'm told it hurts a lot, and I'm not looking forward to another unexpected and expensive shot.

Earlier today, I sold my truck (Goodbye Chuck the Truck!), so I am stranded at my apartment in Lexington.  Kellie picked me up at the Courthouse and drove me around to run errands.  (Thanks again!) I'm catching up with roommate and procrastinating cleaning out my closet and cutting down the number of clothes I'm planning to take to South Africa. 

Yesterday I made reservations to go to Washington DC for Staging (orientation) on July 6th with everyone else who is going to SA with me.  Then we'll all fly out together on July 7th to spend the next 26 months in South Africa! :)

Last weekend I had a yard sale at Kellie&Josh's house and was happy to sell almost everything I'd hoped to.  I got pretty sunburnt, and my face especially hurt, but it didn't last too long.  My face peeled quickly and now my arms are all flaky and peeling.

Sorry this was all backwards chronological, but that just goes to show you the hectic state of mind I'm in these last few weeks in America.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

June means that I'm leaving next month

And I'm seriously thinking about what to pack, and how to downsize everything I own.  Josh and Kellie have graciously loaned me their garage for the past two weeks and their yard this weekend so I can have a yard sale.  I've made at least 3 trips with my truck full of stuff to sell so far, and I figure I have 2 more.  I really don't want to carry anything back with me after Saturday, I'm crossing my fingers and pricing things low so I can sell it all!

I'm trying to decide what luggage to carry, I have a camping backpack that I'm considering bringing, but it is kinda big and would be easy to overpack.  I really really want to buy a smaller backpack, one rated for like 35-40 liters, but if I don't NEED it, then it's just a waste of money.  Maybe I'll do a practice packing session next week and decide once and for all if I need another backpack. 

As far as getting everything else ready, I have a packing list and a pile in the corner of my closet of things to go.  Bill gave me a great Swiss Army knife (the Explorer) as a going-away present that's already got a place of honor in my luggage. 

But before I go I definitely want to visit my sister in her new crib, take my nieces out shopping for a day and spend lots of time with friends and family.  I'm trying to figure out how to copy movies onto my computer and eagerly awaiting my Kindle in the mail.  Still, there's lots to do!