Packing and Other Nonesense

Seven days to go and my bags are packed! Well, mostly packed. There are a few things left around my room that are going to be stuffed in the night before I leave. Even my carry on bag is mostly packed and since I did promise it, here it is:

Kirsten's Handy Guide To Packing

Step One: RESEARCH

I checked the average weather temperatures for my area through the times of year I will be there. It was actually interesting to find out that it's rare for Chichester to dip much below zero. Still, based on the advice of other travel blogs I packed a large number of sweaters. Damp cold seeps into the bones more than lower temperatures of the dry cold we get here.

Step Two: YOUR LIST AND YOU

Make your list! Honestly, this one should be done a week before you even get out your suitcase because you WILL forget things you need on the first go. I was lucky and picked up a pad of Knock Knock packing lists called "Pack This!" from Chapters so I had everything done for me. I crossed out all the items I didn't need first (pagers, mobile phone and charger etc) then added the amounts of the things I did need next to the item in question. I used a highlighter to cross out the items as I packed them. A different colour highlighter was used to differentiate between Luggage, Carry On, and Purse packing. It kept me organized and mostly on track, even if it does seem a bit OCD.

Step Three: SHOVE IT IN THERE

This part is by far the hardest. No matter what, you will over estimate the size of your suitcase. I am only bringing one suitcase which is an expandable duffle bag on wheels so I had to be smart about space. The great thing about this bag is it allowed me to get a bit more creative with packing than a hard case would allow. The easiest way to pack my stuff was simple: bulky items like shoes go in first, everything else gets squished in around the bulky items.

To keep track of what still needed to be packed, I made piles of stuff on my bed. Sweaters, Pants, Formal, Dresses, Exercise, T-shirts, Underthings.  If you can see it laying about you know you forgot to pack it.

My lovely piles of stuff.

This was most of the stuff I was able to pack in the end. I had to get pretty cut throat about items because I just didn't have the room. Several things I had originally deemed "must come with me" ended up back in my wardrobe. Some items that I cut from my list: a pair of shoes, two pairs of pants, a pair of shorts, six shirts, many pairs of socks, two hoodies, one cardigan. I just didn't have the space and all of those things are really replaceable. I can buy an extra hoodie if I need one or another pair of shoes, so there's no need to tear my hair out trying to make it all fit. 

Other things that you might want to consider leaving behind:

1. Hair dryers and straighteners. Honestly just buy them in your host country. Voltage and plugs are different where you're going and they're just not worth the space in your case.
2. Winter jackets. These buggers are HUGE and take up a lot of space! Buy what works for the weather where you're going. Gore-Tex ski jackets are amazing in Canada but useless in places like England where, I've been informed, layering and wool are king. 
3. Hair products, shampoos, body washes, lotions etc. Just buy them there. Don't risk them bursting in your suitcase and covering your stuff in goo. Travel sizes are all you need until you get to the grocery store and stock up. Plus, buying products you can't find at home is half the fun! 

At the end of all things, my luggage is a bit over the weight limit at 51.8lb and I will have to pay an overage fee at check in. I knew that was a possibility so I'm okay with it. If you're not okay with paying the extra money, weigh your suitcase multiple times throughout the process so you're aware and make those ruthless cuts! Function over fashion, five staple pieces can make 20 outfits if you know what you're doing.

Oh and one last point, I am a terrible clothing smoosher so I used my mother's exceptional skills to help me. I wouldn't have been able to get nearly as many things in my case without her help! Don't be afraid to ask someone to sit on your bag while you close it people!

23 Days and Counting

So my VISA came! I was told that it would take fifteen business days to process but it actually only took about six! Hurrah for small miracles, but as far as I can tell some others going to the UK are still waiting for their VISA. I guess my forms just got in at a good time. In any case, the last major headache is done and I am now on a countdown to leaving! In case you are wondering, yes, I am panicking somewhat.

My last day of work is on tomorrow, which is both exciting and upsetting. I love my job and I will miss it terribly. Well...maybe not the Christmas season. That always sucks if you work a retail job.

Right now I am mostly portioning out my time in my last remaining days at home. I am going to start trial packing my suitcase this weekend as well as making sure all my documents are in order and copies of the documents are in a file for my parents. I also need to send copies to TRU so they have them on file as well.

Other things that I need to get done: Stockpile contacts and prescriptions as I can't get them over in the UK. Doctors and Optometrists don't have the authority to write prescriptions that will be filled in other countries unfortunately. You may be asking, why now? You say you have 23 days before you leave, surely you can leave that a bit longer. Well my friends that thinking will get you into all sorts of trouble. Stockpiling of this kind can certain pharmacies/optical centers up to two weeks to fill your order. I was lucky because my pharmacy just got a shipment in with good expiry dates so they gave me the lot I needed, but had they needed to order more in it could have taken a week.

Seriously people, get this stuff together way before you think you need to. That way if you run into snags you have time to correct them.  This whole experience is stressful enough without adding to it by being lazy.

Next time on the blog: Packing! I'm going to actually upload photos of the whole ordeal so you can laugh at me.