I’ve always loved lists. To Do Lists, grocery lists, and shopping lists clutter my desk and planner. As much as I previously loved lists though, my opinion has drastically changed as I have been preparing for China. No list can compare to the China To Do List I’ve had for the summer. Seriously, I think at one point it was longer than Santa’s naughty or nice list.
Luckily, with the help of my darling sisters, we have crossed things off the list – one by one. Applying for my Chinese Visa – check! …. Creating my newsletter - check! …. Spending quality time with family and friends – check! One key component is not checked off the China To Do List however --- packing. (yes, just saying that dreaded word makes my heart race!)
Let’s just say that p-a-c-k-ing for two years has brought about more challenges than I ever could have imagined! My friends can attest, I am the world’s WORST over packer. In my past life, I would pack two suitcases for a weekend trip. Perhaps it is because I don’t like making pressure-filled decisions about what to wear, or maybe it is because I would always rather be “safe than sorry” when deciding what shoes to bring. Regardless, every time I pack, a dark cloud seems to take over my life…. Yes, this may be a bit dramatic. But people, I really dislike packing!
Interestingly enough, my China packing is not difficult in terms of what clothes to take. A few shirts, jeans, a pair of khakis, etc are all I will really need. And as far as shoes, I have limited myself to 5 pair (tennis shoes, hiking boots, hiking sandals, loafers, and a pair of black pumps for good measure). My China experience is about downsizing and helping others that are less fortunate, not about being fashionable.
The problem with packing is that I want to take every holiday decoration I can find! I want to take my Christmas nativity scene, my favorite fake Halloween jack-o-lantern, and my Easter basket. Not to mention how badly I want to bring all of my Christmas ornaments and Mizzou decorations! And as much as I want it to, my Christmas tree will NOT fit in to my suitcase. (See picture).
As you can imagine, the next few weeks are sure to be interesting as I finalize my China To Do List and continue to pack. Hopefully, I will be able to discern what I will really need in China, and I will be able to part from all of my decorations. If not, I am excited to receive your care packages containing everything that won’t fit in my two 50-lb suitcases! Wish me luck as I finish packing!
