At this point, I can count the hours to my flight without sounding ridiculous. 34 hours to go, and my suitcases are sitting open on my floor, staring at me with some kind of great expectation. There is stuff sitting in them, but I am nowhere near the point of looking at them and thinking “Oh wow, I can survive in a foreign country for a year!”
Lets have a look at what I have considered my essentials, after a year and a half in Japan influencing me:
My Entire DVD collection
I took my entire DVD collection (It’s really not that big) and have put them all in one giant CD book. Honestly, there was no greater day than the ones when the post would come with something from my mom. She would always stop by the movie rental place, picking up the previously viewed DVDs for me to watch. It didn’t cost much for her, and to me, it was a wonderful connection to back home. Plus, being someone who fancies themselves a writer, particularly of the script variety, I LOVE listening to people speak. To be honest, music in excess irritates me. I love singing, but I couldn’t listen to it non stop. I lost count of the number times I put “That Thing You Do!” in my DVD player while I simply played on the computer, or worked in the kitchen. There was something comforting in casual conversation. Plus, Steve Zahn is amazing.
Clothes!
I am trying REALLY HARD to be practical here. I have to pack for four complete seasons, in one suitcase. THIS IS REALLY HARD. Fingers crossed I can do it. The most important thing for me to remember is to pack my winter jacket, because buying clothes is not an option when there, unless I order from Old Navy (woo being a plus size girl with size 10 feet and a D cup! Asian clothes will never work on me. Ever.)
Computer Stuff
Surprise of surprises, I can say without a matter of doubt that my entire life depends on my computer. Want to get a hold of me? Email or Skype. I write all the time, I love checking my email, and just like to play about on Photoshop and stuff. All my music and movies are on my external hard drive, and I back it up as often as I can to disk. So there is no surprise that the laptop, DVD burner, and external hard drive will be flying with me, to Korea. In my carry on luggage. Because god help the plane people if they drop my hard drive and mess it up.
Non-Perishable Food Items That I Will NEVER FIND IN ASIA
Japan taught me something: the concept of “Just Add Water” doesn’t exist. So things like juice crystals, jello, pudding, and other delicious things that can go in your cupboard forever and never go bad are severely lacking in Asia. So I’ve made a point of grabbing a few weeks worth of koolaid. I should be okay.
…Other than that, it’s all stuff where I’m going “Oh that’s cute, I can’t leave that, etc etc” aka, all the useless crap I just LIKE and don’t feel like LEAVING. My goal is to not bring so much of that stuff with me. I’ve already got WAY too much clothing and stuff.
See, I’m already trying my best to get rid of the crap that I’m likely to go ‘…but it’s that THING. It serves no practical purpose but I HAVE to take it with me! ;_;’ Packing is haaaaaard. Especially when packing for a year somewhere where you have no idea what you’ll have access to.
I like the fact DVDs are nice and easy and you can just put them in a travel case and go. Books on the other hand? Ugh. I struggle deciding what books to pack.
Good luck with it all! You may be procrastinating, but at least you’ve thought about what you need!
There are so many sites where you can order cheap books online, you’d be better off just re-buying them, and then giving them to friends when you leave. Or get an e-book reader! 8D
Ah I never would have thought of a CD case for DVDs! If I ever got a job overseas I was afraid I’d have to leave all my movies behind.
If I had the money I’d invest in a nook/Kindle >.> the thought of re-buying books I own seems stupid but then again…
It was a genius idea that I got from someone else some time ago, I forget. When I moved back from Japan, my fandom DVDs took up most of my carry on luggage, which was annoying. Packing your whole DVD collection can get quite heavy, but I considered it a worthy cause.
hahaha your external laptop and cd burner mini rant reminded me of my sister. Hahaha She packed all 4 of her externals on her carry on, and since she made a desktop for herself she left it at home, so that when she came back to get her car she would drive it down herself, meaning the people on the plane wouldnt be able to break it. xD
*sigh* Ive been worrying about clothes. Your not the only one with big(and i mean bigger than a b cup).. erm.. Friends? hahaa xD Not only do i have to worry about that but im pretty tall so im a bit nervous about pants as well.
hehe overall this post made me laugh. This types of blogs about what to back and what not to pack are my favorites xD