You never really realize how much “stuff” you need to survive until you pack for moving into a dorm. When I go on holiday, I generally travel light. I take one modest bag filled with everything I need for week and still have room for the few odd bits that come home as souvenirs. Somehow packing for a few months, a whole year actually, is a different story. All of the essentials end up being a monolithic pile in your entryway.
Surprisingly, it is the bedding that takes up the most room. Between the two pillows, comforter, blankets, sheets, mattress topper and throw, about a ¼ of the car space is consumed. Yup. We would not be taking the Jetta on this trip folks. Thankfully there are appliance stores in Missoula (it is not that small of city you skeptics!), so I will be purchasing a mini fridge and microwave on site. Saves me a few cubic feet.
While packing, nostalgia definitely got the better of me. I would begin to pack my books, and have to remind myself that there is a library at school. I was ready to haul my whole nail varnish collection over (because you never know what color may strike you fancy) and my favorite DVDs (like I can’t stream them). But, assuming I have the time, I can always have these items sent to me from home. (I have this image of the owl post from Harry Potter. All the students who forget something from home would receive it by owl in the first week).
After packaging up my pantry/kitchen supplies, printer and tech, office gear, laundry + waste bins, clothes, toiletries, my “pet” plants (Wallace and Grommet) and a rug, I felt more like I was moving out than going to school. Ahhhhhhhhh. Between my two engineering parents (and highly prospectful engineer brother) they managed to intricately pack everything into our Volvo. It was quite an impressive undertaking. Our car now resembles a space shuttle. Every package has its calculated place, and the comfort of the passengers is sacrificed for efficiency.
I am doomed to sit in a little cave between precariously stacked suit-cases, a pillow and a bulletin board all 9 hours across I-90. It is a true test of claustrophobia. I don’t know how astronauts mentally cope. Thankfully, my frequent pleads for toilet breaks are heeded. :P
Peaking out from my cave of luggage. I spy with my little eye something that is...
Where I wish I was.
My advice to anyone still packing for University (and I know all you UW students still have another month of lounging tsk tsk): start your packing early—nothin’ like trying to pack your life in two days!—and utilize the concept ‘if you haven’t used it in the past 2 weeks, don’t bring it yet’. You can always bring it back with you after Thanksgiving or have it sent snail mail. Really.
Anywho, currently trying to pretend my hiney doesn’t hurt like heck and watching the Idaho countryside(?) pass by. I have a feeling another coffee break is in order. Anyone somewhere remotely more interesting? Eric, if you are reading this, give Mimi some love. I miss my püdy already. J
Cheers, kaite ;]
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