Absurd packing list and waiting for the plane back to Ecuador

Hello from Panama!

Ok, well, I'm not THAT thrilled to be here. The Panama airport hasn't been too kind to me. While I wait in travelers' limbo, I decided to share a list of the massive pile of stuff I'm moving from the U.S. to Ecuador. Way, way more stuff than I planned or wanted to carry back. But I guess it all just added up. And oh is it random. These are all the things I wished I had brought with me the first time around!

Books: Geology Terms in English and Spanish; Russian; Indonesian; Minus 148; How to Crochet; The Anatomy of Fascism; Alive; Looking for Alaska; Fire Mountains of the West; Frozen Earth; Alaska: Saga of a Bold Land; GRE Premier; Mountaineers

Candles + candle wicks + oil scents
Games: Bunch of Sudoku books; pack of cards; puzzles
Cards for sending
Alaska 2012 calendar
Pile of yarn
Spices: paprika; tumeric; coriander; chipotle; New Mexican chile (noooo I forgot this!!)
Nutritional yeast
Clif bars (for giving to guides)
Vegan marshmallows
Chai tea
Cat treats and toys; rabbit treats
Preserve toothbrushes
Painting supplies (roller, refills, color swatches, tape, trim brush)
Mounting putty
Earplugs
External DVD/CD player
Gaiters (already had)
Tent stakes (already had)
Carabiners + ATC (already had)
Climbing boots (already had)
Flat water bottle
Ice ax leash (already had)
Gloves (already had)
Pile of photo prints
Helmet (already had)
Harness (already had)
Peanut butter
Black olives
Candy (candy corn; Smarties; misc)
Rainproof/windproof lightweight jacket
Prayer flags
Pile of DVDs
Compact digital camera + batteries + cards
Glacier glasses

And here's Day 3 of my 365 project! This about it for on-time photos.

Flying over the gulf from Chicago to Panama

So blue...so pretty

The world is just awesome.

Shoppingphobe hates shopping.

Tautological statements aside...

I spent the day digging through clothes at the local mall to find business casual tops. I found: nothing. I'm not packed, nor is everything I'm packing in one spot. And I have five days left. Oddly though, this is normal for me. Things don't happen until it's last minute, REALLY last minute. I'm just not in the mood yet, and I'm not panicked enough to get it all done.

I really wish I'd just get on it though.

What's left to do? Just about everything.

COUNTDOWN: 8 days to departure

Mom, dad, and I had lunch with my aunt (dad's sister) at a place called Cafe Roma in Elgin where I got my favorite sandwich of all time - a caprese. Except whatever's inside a caprese sandwich will always end up outside on the first bite. Aside from the insideout sandwich, it was so great seeing my aunt!

On the way home, I asked to be dropped off at the bank (four blocks from my house) so I could put a note on my account and debit card about where I'm going to be living. The bank teller asked where in Ecuador I'll be, and I mentioned our training city. And then my mind was blown - her daughter served in Ecuador in the Peace Corps. I keep wondering how these strange coincidences keep happening to me. She might be wondering the same thing?


Yesterday, three very large white tailed deer hung out in the backyard for most of the day. They slept under the pine tree overnight to escape the snow, so they weren't more than 30-40 feet away most of the time

And my remaining 'to-do' list for your own amusement:

-Return library materials
-Half.com/eBay accounts on vacation (so no one buys things while I'm gone)
-Reduce car insurance on January 31 (no driving in a few days, sad!)
-Loan deferment paperwork (mostly done)
-Get Skype working at home, get camera for home computer (working on 1/2 computers)
-Type out list of passwords (mostly done)
-Create photo 'factory' to make my business easier on parents (this is going to be a pain)
-Designate power of attorney (pretty much done)
-Create USB of backup programs, drivers, etc. (not started...)
-Clean up laptop, desktop, hard drives (half started on both computers)
-Clean car, oil change, detail (Wednesday...? Friday?)
-Print out pictures to show and give (haven't picked them out yet)
-Clean lap top hardware (keyboard and screen = ick)
-Get PC set with Sallie Mae loan disbursement (??? called a few times and still no help)
-Launder sleeping bag and down coat
-Get Firefly DVDs and book to Laurie to Chuck
-Check and reply to geocaching answers
-Put South America caches in GPS
-Clean hiking boots
-Make a list of Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Venezuela geocaches
-Update iPod
-Finish Denali stuff (to wrap up internship in Alaska) & mail them package
-Clean room
-Buy remaining things (mainly a duffel bag and vegan marshmallows)
-Probably a billion more things to do that I just haven't thought of writing down.

Financial woes alleviated; Mayor gives me his best!

COUNTDOWN: 11 days

Another letter in the mail today, this time from the Village of Cary. I couldn't really guess what it was about, so I was happily surprised to see it was a letter from Mayor Tom Kierna wishing me well. Thanks Mayor Kierna!

My preparations for Ecuador are at a standstill. Again, time is flying. Another week's gone by, and soon I'll have just one week left to get everything done. I still haven't done a test pack, and I still have a couple more things to buy - but I ran out of money. And before the last four days, I was reviewing Spanish almost all day, every day.

So yesterday, Cafe Firefly hosted their first-ever open mic night and I had to go. I carted along my piles of Spanish books to study, and even manage to slog through some pages while some very talented people played up front. I think I managed to stuff 40 verbs in my head before I had to give up for the day. The least useful of them all: 'surgir,' or 'to surge.' It probably does have a lot more uses than I give it credit for. Like how a lahar surges. Electricity surges. People surge with anger.

Today, my parents wanted to do something with me - the realization that we have little time remaining is setting in with all of us. They suggested we go for a hike to find some geocaches, so we drove off to a conservation area near Woodstock. I had the info for four caches, but after the first one, the dog (Gizmo, see below) was too cold and tired to continue on. It was a much shorter hike than I was hoping for, but at least it was something.



For dinner, I convinced them to go to Lou Malnati's - yes, I'm a vegan... usually... but I AM trying to eat cheese now and then to keep up those digestive enzymes. And Chicago deepdish is pretty good. Laurie stopped by just in time to go with us, so we had a good time apparently annoying the table next to us. My parents presented me with a card and a deposit slip for a chunk of money from my dad's yearly bonus. I couldn't even really refuse it because it was already in my bank account. It's amazing, though, how that money alleviated so many of my problems. 80% of my worries were money-related. I had trouble getting to sleep at night the past month wondering how things would work out before I left. It's like they pressed a 'reset' button.

I guess it's time for VLOG 5, starring our fiesty dachshund-chihuahua who shares his namesake with a gremlin. Supposedly unrelated. I'm a little bizarred out that Peace Corps Journals caught my YouTube upload before it was even posted here, though.

Heeey it's snowing. Again.

COUNTDOWN: 16 days

It would be more fun if I didn't have to drive back in it.

Oh wait, it's lake effect snow now. HORRAY.

Laurie and I spent a good part of today driving around in the stuff, and we thought it was over so we escaped to Cafe Firefly. I filmed a lot of it, including a bit of Laurie trying to drive her motorcycle in 4" of fresh powder. Obviously (I hope) it was just a joke. Hilarity does ensue. It also starts with a delightful folk French tune.

The snow is now just heavy flurries, but the roads are totally coated. I'd like to say that thankfully I have a Jeep, but that doesn't necessary mean much.

I made another 'Peace Corps purchase' yesterday - three bras. Something tells me that's not enough, but seriously, $66. For three. Ridiculous. I'm quickly running out of money and it sort of scares me. Once the snow clears up, I'll be visiting the local resale warehouse for some 'new' shirts.

Packing list

Last updated: 1/11/2011
* denotes something I still need to get.

ELECTRONICS: ridiculous, I know. I blame photography.

-Nikon camera
-lenses
-Nikon camera cards
-Nikon camera batteries (3)
-card reader
-Nikon camera battery charger
-GPSr
-rechargeable AA batteries + dock
-iPod
-speakers
-headphones
-iPod charging cord
-laptop
-laptop cord
-surge protector
-Exilim camera
-Exilim camera batteries (5)
-SD cards*(1/2)
-Exilim camera battery charger
-external hard drive + cord
-thumb drive
-alarm clock
-1 AAA battery*
-short ethernet cord
-SW radio?*

OFFICE:

-U.S. stamps
-pens
-pencils
-paper
-envelopes
-journals (2-3)
-daily planner
-calendar

BATH: mostly extra things I already have and would rather not buy again.

-tea tree oil
-nail clippers
-medicinal wax*
-lip balm*
-soap bars
-super dry towel
-toothbrush
-razor
-razor blades (3)
-elastic hairbands
-earrings
-tweezers
-sunblock*
-makeup*
-pads
-hair straightener

CRAFTS:

-sewing needles and thread
-knitting needles
-crochet needles

OUTDOORS: horray for being an outdoorswoman!

-large Osprey pack
-large bag #2*
-REI daypack
-water purification tablets
-sunglasses
-sleeping bag
-sleeping pad
-tent+poles
-cotton insert
-warm hat
-cool hat
-nalgene/metal bottles (2?)
-gloves
-neck warmer
-overnight pack
-day pack
-hiking boots
-xtratufs
-Chaco sandals
-sneakers
-crampons (if possible)
-ice ax (if possible)
-headlamp
-4 lithium AA batteries
-pocket knife
-camelbak reservoir (?)
-slacklining kit (if possible)

CLOTHING: still have to get a lot.

-long underwear
-black mtn. hardwear pants
-khaki mtn. hardwear pants
-mud mtn. hardwear pants
-pants
-short sleeved shirts
-long sleeved shirts
-business casual outfit
-business outfit
-dress?
-socks
-underwear
-bras*
-bathing suit
-bandana
-waterproof jacket (*?)
-heavy coat
-skirt

MISC:

-pictures*
-Rocky
-Bananagrams
-watch*
-luggage locks*

FOOD:

-recipe book
-tumeric*
-cumin
-chile pepper*
-paprika*
-ginger*
-garlic*
-garam masala
-coriander*
-curry*
-nutritional yeast
-matcha tea
-loose tea (sencha, white chocolate chai)
-PB?*

BOOKS:

-Environmental Geology
-Living Off The Grid
-Viva Travel Guides Ecuador: Climbing and Hiking Guide
-Ecuador & Galapagos Insight Guide
-Big Red Book of Spanish Verbs
-Field Guide to Geology
-Medicine for Mountaineering
-Spanish Phrasebook
-Spanish dictionary (?)
-Spanish Among Amigos Phrasebook

PEACE CORPS:

-Staging information
-Backup copies of documents
-Loan deferment forms
-Immunization record