Pressure Packing

So I'm sure you must be wondering why I'm posting my very first post (is that what it's called?) at such an absurd hour. Well you see, I'm what you call a "pressure packer." I honestly cannot pack for any trip, no matter how long or short, until the night before when I am so stressed out and pressed for time that I have to get it done within a few hours. Otherwise, I'm pretty sure I would end up spending days on end putting together outfits, packing, unpacking, weighing, re-packing, etc. until I drove myself crazy. Basically, I put it off until the last possible minute because I hate it so much. If I had money, which I don't but wish I did, I have no doubt in my mind that I would pay someone to do this horrendous job for me.

Anyway, this is probably the hardest packing job I've ever done in my life. I have to fit my entire life into two 44 lb. suitcases, one 18 lb. carry-on, and a purse. As of right now, I have pretty much all of my clothes packed; unfortunately, they take up the majority of my 2 suitcases and one cannot live on clothes alone. I still have my shoes, toiletries, sheets, towels, a backpack, nursing equipment, and various other random items to stuff in them. PLUS I have to "save room" for souvenirs when I return. Oh and I just remembered that I have to make room to bring gifts for the host family I'll be staying with. Ahhh! I took some pictures to give you a visual of the pain and anguish that I'm going through in this packing process. Feel free to start praying now!

P.S. I leave for APU tomorrow for 2 weeks of intensive community health clinical and lecture, which goes from August 9-23. Then we go straight into our pre-departure orientation with the rest of the students from August 25-27 and are off for South Africa August 28. I will try to post sometime between now and then, but my schedule is going to be a little crazy so we'll see how it goes! Goodnight!!