What I am Packing this Trip

I weighed my bag and I was a few kilos over the limit, so I am currently typing with one shoulder to the phone with British Airways to ask if pencil crayons are allowed on carry on luggage.

Ah, after half an hour or so they answered and said yes! I am totally good for weight now. Phew. My arm is sore from holding the phone to my ear so long though. Fortunately they didn't answer when I was on the toilet, or when it was flushing :p That could have been awkward.

This round of packing has been more fun than last time, although more challenging. More choices, and more limits. Since I will be looking for work I want to bring stuff that will be good for handing out resumes etc, but I still want to have fun stuff and travel stuff. Plus it's an all-weather deal again... I am trying to remind myself that I could literally bring an empty suitcase and buy a whole new wardrobe there, but I already have so many clothes... do I really need to bring back a ton more? Especially when I am trying to conserve money.

I was hoping that after a year of limited clothing choices my shopping urges would diminish... but I kept looking at shops the whole time wanting to buy things! It never went away, which makes me wonder if liking lots of clothes is just part of who I am... Or that it's something I need to work on for another year.

Either way this is what I have packed so far. Big things I am planning on wearing on the plane. When I have the final cut I will edit accordingly:

• black long jacket
• hounds-tooth jacket
• rain jacket
• scarves
• owl mittens
• fedora
• furry hunter hat
• black v sweater
• purple sweater from Italy
• grey sweater
• Skulls Skates hoodie ( <3 )
• black long sleeve
• white cotton long sleeve (for Egypt) 
• white beaver long sleeve (thanks Jon!)
• green T shirt
• Bassnectar T
• black T
• brown tank
• black fitted sleeveless
• black halter
• checkered sleeveless
• grey business vest
• red dress
• checkered dress
• tutu!
• bee costume!
• green pants
• brown checkered pants
• jeans
• veggie pants
• black business skirt
• blue skirt
• green skirt
• purple skirt
• jean capri
• black cotton loose capri
• scandals
• heels
• boots
• travel shoes
• travel towel
• umbrella
• sleeping bag
• jewellery
• work stuff (massage)
• yarn
• knitting and crochet hooks
• feather crafts
• pencil crayons
• small watercolours
• book and paper stuff (work, legal, and craft)
• UKELELE
• LED hula hoop!
• SLR camera
• small camera
• electronic stuff
• 2 big purse, one small furry one
• small backpack (carry on)
• normal travel backpack (doesn't really fit as carry-on when full :( )
• gifts
• incense (not allowed to burn it at home so maybe I can finally use it)
• phrasebooks

 As you can see, I am having problems letting go of my stuff again. I just spent five weeks at home getting used to all my clothing and toys again... it's hard for me to just leave it all behind again so soon! Thus I am bringing a big load of silly things I love to keep me happy, entertained, and comfortable! I found a BUNCH of old photos that I have been scanning and loading onto my little hard drive too, so I will have lots of home memories like the time Marti, Taylor, Andrew, and I all went to Victoria and had an EPIC adventure!



and messing around the toy store with the girls



or dressing my male friends in my clothing for a show!



Sorry Marti but I had to. Technology is great sometimes :)

What I Packed Last Trip

Ok so I have been packing my house and my suitcase for a few days now... lots done but lots to pack still.

Currently it is looking like this:



Constantly changing my mind about pieces and rearranging, although remembering the hula hoop and travel shoes made rearranging things a lot harder so I think it will be decided by Sunday.

I found an old "checklist" of what I brought last time in my backpack, although I'm sure I'm forgetting things in all of these lists:

• maroon pants
• veggie pants
• hemp long sleeve
• green yoga tank
• striped T shirt
• black zip up hoody
• black & gray sweater
• brown skirt/shirt
• brown dress
• backless "dress" thing
• leather utility belt
• bathing suit
• gray leggings
• green hat
• purple scarf
• socks & underwear
• travel towel
• umbrella
• locks
• toiletries
• electronic stuff (phone, camera, etc)
• paper stuff
• first aid stuff
• raincoat
• fleece elf coat
• yarn

I acquired:

• black T with back showing
• turquoise halter
• green pants
• blue leggings
• feather craft stuff
• yarn
• gray T shirt
• leopard shoes
• socks
• black button up sweater
• purple tank
• long shorts
• yellow dress
• long black dress thing
• boots
• purple sweater

I got rid of (sent home) these along the way:

• black & gray sweater
• black T shirt with back showing (superglue incident not by choice)
• brown dress
• leggings
• purple pants
• umbrella (by accident)
• make-up
• black hemp shirt
• turquoise halter
• self-knit scarf (too bulky)
• leopard shoes
• long shorts
• yellow dress

 Looking at the numbers, I managed to come back with minimally more clothes, plus I had been getting rid of other stuff too other than fabric. It all fit in here...



... which is now covered in way more patches. Soon to be even more covered :)

Less than a week now until I am leaving again :-O

Progress

Well, it's starting. I have just canceled my phone contract, so as of Feb 8th there will be no more phone!

I have two bags full for value village/salvation army, stuff for friends, and way too many boxes of stuff I'm keeping. The house is getting there.

Monday was my birthday... I didn't really feel like doing much, so I packed, ate pizza, and had cake.

On Tuesday I went in for my last tattoo appointment! Once it is healed, I think that will be the time to leave... hopefully (it takes a week to heal)

I picked up my travel cards yesterday in Vancouver, which is where I am now :) I want to go out for a dinner with a bunch of friends, but I have been pretty much constantly nauseous since I've been out here, and it makes me less inclined to eat.

I also purchased my travel insurance through World Nomads a couple days ago. Things are all coming together :D I am getting nervous!

Almost Packed Up

I had my first trial run fitting pretty much everything into the pack today. It didn't fit the first time, but I tried again (different rolling technique) and now there is room to spare in pretty much every pocket!! I am very excited! Here it is packed up (above).

My house packing is coming along slowly, but it will go faster now that I don't have to constantly think about whether or not I should take things with me. I am cutting myself off - if anything I will only bring LESS (except a coat). It's still feeling kinda heavy :s

I am starting to feel on the mend health-wise as well; my nose was not driving me nuts today :)

My next major decision is about the coat. I have a long sleeve shirt and a thin zip hoodie in there so far, but that's not going to be enough. Decisions decisions.

It's also my birthday tomorrow - no idea what I want to do! Probably nothing. I am not feeling prepared enough here to take on anything in Vancouver. Maybe I'll go get a massage.

So much to do!!!!