Packing List

My packing list is so long! (keep in mind I will be away for 2 years!)

haha... There is an 80 lb weight limit... here goes:

This picture is only partial, but most everything...

Cosmetics:
2 Shampoo and 2 Cream Rinse
1 Bar soap
Toothbrush and Toothpaste (Tom’s)
4 deodorant bars (Dove)
Tampons (Ob cause they are small)
Q-Tips
Dental Floss (1 Glide)
Hair ties and Barrettes
Venus Razor and blades
2 Unscented lotions
1 unscented suntan lotion -** I did not need to bring because PC provides!**
Chap stick (1 Burt’s bees stick, 1 can)
Tweezers
Nail Clippers
Brush/Comb
Face moisturizer (Neutrogena)
Mascara
Hair cutting scissors **Don't need because I never cut my hair**

Clothing:
Belt **Never use because I always wear skirts**
Raingear and hat **Never use my rain pants, rain coat is good though**
Pajama’s
Baseball cap
Hoodie
Zip-up long sleeve
Gardening gloves *haha, I don't use because I don't garden**
2 Skirts **Wished I had brought at least 2 more**
2 Gauchos **only need 1 pair**
2 Pants (Northface and Bongo)

2 T-Shirts
1 Sports shorts
4 Button up tops **I brought too many button tops**

2 tank tops **Don't wear**
Underware
2 Bras
2 Sports bras
12 pair of Socks **** DEFINITELY DON'T NEED!! only need like 5 pair**
1 Slip *I wore in the beginning, but now I never wear one**
1 Lounge pants (yoga brown capris)
1 Bathing suit
Shoes:
Crocs
Flip flops
Sneakers
Tevas and Keens
Rain boots *I don't wear these*
Dress Shoes
Jewelry

Electronics:
Digital Camera with 2 Memory cards
$5 Radio * I love my radio*
Watch
Headlamp *I use my headlamp every night!*
IPod
Cd Player
Batteries 12 AA and 8 AAA
Solar Charger (for batteries, IPod, Phone)
International Cell Phone (and paperwork, SIM cards)
Lap top (with paperwork)
Plug adapter
Flash Drive
Wireless Network Card
Head Phones
Speakers
Travel Alarm
Calculator
Flashlight

Other:
Medications
Solar shower * I don't use this*
Sleeping Bag * I didn't bring, but wished I had brought*
Vitamins
Books (The Glass Castle, Secret Life of Bees, Suduko)
Sheets
2 Towels
Scissors
3 Washcloths
Swiss Army knife *Don't use*
Can opener
Veggie peeler
Knife for cooking
Measuring cups and spoons
1 pot, 1 frying pan
Tupper ware
Baggies
Umbrella *Don't use*
Calendar
Sewing Kit
Journals
Pens and Pencils
Carolyn’s gold frog
Stapler with staples
Small Mirror
Water Bottle
Sunglasses
Moneybelt and Money necklace
Bug Spray *PC provides*
Fork and Knife set
2 Backpacks
Seeds
2 packs of Granola Bars
Spices
Gifts for host family -*wished I had bought them better gifts, like knife for cooking, who knows*
Pictures *one of the best things I brought*
Stationary with envelopes
Cash
Visa Card (credit card and debit card)
Combination Lock
Duct Tape *Don't use*
Push pins *hardly*
Dictionary *why did I bring this, who knows...*
Address Book
U.S. Stamps * no need for these *
Deck of Cards
Tea
Hot sauce

Forms:
6 color passport photos and 4 black and white (for Visa)

10 Passport Photos
Immunization forms
Photo Id
Peace Corps forms

Bad dream

I just woke up from having a bad dream. I hate those, and it makes me wonder what I'm gonna do when I am by myself in Uganda. The concern: I woke up almost 15 minutes ago in my "safe, cozy" home, I can still not shake off this dream... what will I do when I'm gone?
I have actually already thought about this before... the days will be fine, it's the nights that I'm worried about. Night time, there's too much time for thinking...

Just a few...

Some reasons why I decided to join the Peace Corps:
It all started last January of 2006. I was about to enter my last semester at VCU and I was getting all these ideas in my head about what I wanted to do after I graduated in May. Most of the discussions I had with others and my own crazy thoughts running through my head had to do with travel. Randomly a friend of my mother's mentioned the Peace Corps to her, my mom then mentioned it to me, I looked it up online, called my mom that night and told her I was going to apply. When I first started applying, it was almost just to do it and it sounded cool... I wasn't even really sure if this was actually something I wanted to do, or even could do. I knew it was something that sounded fun, but the idea of leaving my friends and family for 2 years was not cool. Somehow the process began and did not stop until I got my invitation about a month ago, and now here I am leaving in March. All along, I was just applying without really really thinking. I mean... I had thought about it, and it was a hard and long process, but it was almost like I was going through the motions just to get it done. I know you are probably thinking, umm 2 years living in a third world country, and you are going through this without really thinking about it... well it is actually sort of true and sort of not. There are days when I am so excited I could leave that afternoon, but there are also nights that I am restless thinking about actually leaving. So I guess it's all just part of the process... or atleast my personal process of joining the Peace Corps.
Okay, and then of course there is the part about helping others. I have actually not done a lot of volunteering in my life... a few times, but not nearly enough, so this is my big chance to really help mankind. haha.. it sounds sort of funny, "me, helping mankind", but I really feel that going to Africa to help with the HIV/AIDS pandemic and educating the people of Uganda will help so much, because it is one of the biggest most tragic problem facing the world today (not including global warming and all the other things I probably don't even know about).
Uganda actually ranks among the countries most affected by HIV/AIDS pandemic, but it also has the success of reducing infection rates, which I will be so proud to be a part of.
There is so much I am excited to learn about the world, new cultures, and myself... So, I guess these are just a few of the reasons I decided to join the Peace Corps..emphasis on "just a few"...

Blog

I am still not sure what to name this blog, so any ideas would be helpful. I just wanted to let you know that I am starting this blog so that I can stay in touch with my friends and family while I am away in Uganda, and share some of the experiences I will have with all you you who are reading my blogs.
Today, is actually exactly 2 months away from the day I leave for staging, and then I'm off.
That would be, January 3, 2007, and my leave date is March 3, 2007. (I know you all needed the clarity) hehe.
Crazy how time flies... just like this blog. I think I'm done with my initial blog (which I have never done before), but now I have.
P.S. Let's just talk about the word blog.. haha. it's funny. "I just ate a hot dog and now I am going to blog all over you!"
Weird word.