i really need to post more often

moodmellow

Guess I'm just falling out of the almost-daily posting habit.

Times are busy! I've just been working towards getting ready to go overseas, and it's proving to be more work than I thought it would be! Last Friday, my mom and I went shopping to buy clothes that were both respectful of the culture and appropriate for the climate. I pretty much need to buy a whole new wardrobe to take with me. Only a few of the items I already own fit within these categories. I have a dress code, too, but it's really pretty relaxed - mostly it just tells me how to buy clothes that are appropriate for the the culture and climate. Which means, as my mom says, "long, loose, and lots".

So I got (I think) five skirts, four or five tops, and three or four pairs of capri pants. Oh, and two pairs of flip-flops. I think that's just about everything. I still need a new pair of jeans (maybe two pair, we'll see), and I already own a couple of pairs of khakis. And I should buy a couple of pairs of bermuda-style shorts. Oh yea, and I already have two tops and three wrap-around skirts that I can take. Plus, I will get one or two pairs of river sandals (just to satisfy my mom!)

Keep in mind, of course, that all my luggage is a bit limited. For one thing, the weight limits of the airlines have gone down. I will only be able to take two pieces of luggage, maximum 50 lbs each, and 2 carry-ons. For another thing, since I will be living on a ship, I will not have a ton of storage space.

On Friday, we also took a few more hamster supplies to the animal shelter. I don't know if I can do that very often. It was just heartbreaking... the dogs jumping up, wanting attention. And the cats, reaching out of their cages, pawing me, just begging to be played with. Poor, poor animals.

For most of the day Saturday, I ripped lots of my music to my hard drive. I still plan on taking some of my CDs with me, but I also have lots of compilation-type CDs that only have one or two good songs on them. So I'm trying to sort out my music so that I only take the most necessary stuff.

This week, I have an appointment on Monday to get some of my immunizations. Probably HIB, and a polio booster, and maybe BCG. We also need to call the Health Department and see if they have any meningitis vaccines left. Later in the week, I have an appointment with my dentist to get my teeth cleaned. Then next week, I have an appointment with a Travel and Immunization Clinic for more shots. :) Meningitis, if I can't get it at the Health Department, yellow fever, cholera, rabies, and maybe flu and pnemonia. I *might* be able to get the flu/pnemonia shots somewhere else (for less money!)

Whoever knew it would be such a challenge to move overseas? But that's ok. I'm very excited about going and it's all worthwhile. Right now I'm just hanging on for the ride. I'll try to update again soon!