Instead of actually packing, I have found some great packing lists, and I am compiling one of my own - stuff to buy here, what books to bring, what to purchase upon arrival, etc.
Here are two good websites:
http://upl.codeq.info/
This one you plug in the length of your trip, if you are preparing all your food, if you are backpacking or using a suitcase, etc.
http://www.travellerspoint.com/packing-list.cfm
This one had some suggestions that had not crossed my mind.
Of course, both are geared towards shorter term travel, but they are still helpful - I tend to overpack in some areas, and underpack in others... I need all the organizational help I can get.
T-12 days!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
home (for now)
I cannot wait til I can post from Switzerland.
I just spent the last week and a half in Minneapolis, spending time with my wonderful boyfriend. It was the nicest trip. I was only supposed to stay for a week, but Dan convinced me to stay a few extra days...and it was worth it. We traveled to Wittenberg, WI to visit his grandparents, and his sister came back to Minneapolis with us. Dan's grandparents live on almost 200 acres (I think), and have gardens, and a Christmas tree farm, and make maple syrup. I ate some amazing food, like homegrown corn & potatoes, steak on the grill, homemade apple sauce from their own apple tree... And I got a pint of maple syrup from the last batch - no sugaring next year. Upon returning to the cities, we showed Laura our Minneapolis; why we love it so much. All we did in the extra time I spent there was move Dan from his campus apartment to a house in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood. It was such a nice "vacation" and the more time I spend with Dan, the more I like him. I think that is a good sign.
Anyway.
Only 17 days before I leave... unbelievable. I almost do not believe I am leaving, but I think I am preparing for it (mentally... do not ask to see my bedroom).
Here are some pictures from Minneapolis & Wittenberg.
cider at Brit's
Dan
the river behind Dan's grandparents house
Dan and Laura
by the sugaring sheds
It really was such a nice time. But I feel a little suspended... I am halfway ready to go. It will come soon enough. This weekend: saying goodbye to the grandparents. Next weekend: wedding, saying goodbye to Minneapolis friends. Following weekend: Switzerland!
I just spent the last week and a half in Minneapolis, spending time with my wonderful boyfriend. It was the nicest trip. I was only supposed to stay for a week, but Dan convinced me to stay a few extra days...and it was worth it. We traveled to Wittenberg, WI to visit his grandparents, and his sister came back to Minneapolis with us. Dan's grandparents live on almost 200 acres (I think), and have gardens, and a Christmas tree farm, and make maple syrup. I ate some amazing food, like homegrown corn & potatoes, steak on the grill, homemade apple sauce from their own apple tree... And I got a pint of maple syrup from the last batch - no sugaring next year. Upon returning to the cities, we showed Laura our Minneapolis; why we love it so much. All we did in the extra time I spent there was move Dan from his campus apartment to a house in the Marcy-Holmes neighborhood. It was such a nice "vacation" and the more time I spend with Dan, the more I like him. I think that is a good sign.
Anyway.
Only 17 days before I leave... unbelievable. I almost do not believe I am leaving, but I think I am preparing for it (mentally... do not ask to see my bedroom).
Here are some pictures from Minneapolis & Wittenberg.
cider at Brit's
Dan
the river behind Dan's grandparents house
Dan and Laura
by the sugaring sheds
It really was such a nice time. But I feel a little suspended... I am halfway ready to go. It will come soon enough. This weekend: saying goodbye to the grandparents. Next weekend: wedding, saying goodbye to Minneapolis friends. Following weekend: Switzerland!
Friday, July 11, 2008
it really is the little things
I was at the movies tonight, and there was a firefly in the theater.
It was so lovely.
It was so lovely.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
America, America.
39 days left.
Cannot believe it. When I started my little countdown widget in my dashboard, it was over a hundred days away. Eeeep!
My last day of work is on Friday. After that, a month of packing, squeezing time in with friends, a little house-sitting, and enjoying America and all its America-ness.
I have a tendency to forget about the present, because I get so excited about what is going to come. Something I constantly recognize, rarely correct. I suppose it is true of a lot of people. So right now, I am trying to soak up every day, and I have a lot I want to do before I go - baseball game and eat a hot dog and cotton candy (go Cubs!), go to the Warren Dunes (next Tuesday - yippee!), visit my grandparents one last time, and spend every second possible with Dan.
Oh! I got a camera! It is a Canon Rebel XT, and I like it a lot. I wish the LCD screen was a little bigger... but whatever, I got an awesome deal on it. Here are some pictures I have taken so far.
I love my grandparents, and the 4th of July. Well, that is it for now.... I will try to post lots on my mini-adventures before my departure. Oh! And one more thing - I will be running the Paris Marathon, April 5, 2009. I am excited, and nervous. Ok, that really is all for now.
Cannot believe it. When I started my little countdown widget in my dashboard, it was over a hundred days away. Eeeep!
My last day of work is on Friday. After that, a month of packing, squeezing time in with friends, a little house-sitting, and enjoying America and all its America-ness.
I have a tendency to forget about the present, because I get so excited about what is going to come. Something I constantly recognize, rarely correct. I suppose it is true of a lot of people. So right now, I am trying to soak up every day, and I have a lot I want to do before I go - baseball game and eat a hot dog and cotton candy (go Cubs!), go to the Warren Dunes (next Tuesday - yippee!), visit my grandparents one last time, and spend every second possible with Dan.
Oh! I got a camera! It is a Canon Rebel XT, and I like it a lot. I wish the LCD screen was a little bigger... but whatever, I got an awesome deal on it. Here are some pictures I have taken so far.
I love my grandparents, and the 4th of July. Well, that is it for now.... I will try to post lots on my mini-adventures before my departure. Oh! And one more thing - I will be running the Paris Marathon, April 5, 2009. I am excited, and nervous. Ok, that really is all for now.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
4th of July
I am just trying to write more. Until I get there, I really have nothing else to say but "I'm so excited" or "I'm so nervous" or "I'm going to miss Dan a lot".
SO
I am going to write about other stuff.
Let me tell you about the 4th of July. It really is one of my favorite holidays, and simply because of memories/and what I've missed by spending summers in Minneapolis.
We go to Carlyle, IL, a little town about an hour east of St. Louis, where my grandparents live (and great aunts/uncles/2nd cousins etc). It's an adorable little town. It's right on Carlyle Lake, the biggest man-made lake in the state (fact). When we (my cousins and I) were little, we loved going down there, because Grandpa and Grandma had a pontoon boat, cousin Mark had a speed boat, and Grandpa taught us how to canoe, fish, play golf, washers, horseshoes, and just let us be kids. We did occasionally think it was boring, because there were no video stores, or McDonald's, just a Wal-Mart (all of the above is there now! yea!)
Fast-forward a few years. Grandparents no longer have pontoon, but we do lots of golfing. But it is still the best. Uncle Dave makes awesome margaritas (he is from TX), we eat fried chicken, cousin Lisa's pretzel dip, and sit out on the patio til all hours of the night, with sparklers and lots of laughter.
It is so Americana; it is what you would expect 4th of July to be in small town. Everyone wears red, white, and blue, and decorates with bunting. I love it. I am so excited this year, because my brother's wife will be with us, and Dan will be there too! Not all my cousins can come, which is sad, but it will still be wonderful.
Here are some photos, courtesy of my cuz, Frank.
I love my family.
ALSO
I found something amazing. Space Travel Bags, courtesy of The Container Store. Awesome. Compact everything so much. Yea packing solutions!
SO
I am going to write about other stuff.
Let me tell you about the 4th of July. It really is one of my favorite holidays, and simply because of memories/and what I've missed by spending summers in Minneapolis.
We go to Carlyle, IL, a little town about an hour east of St. Louis, where my grandparents live (and great aunts/uncles/2nd cousins etc). It's an adorable little town. It's right on Carlyle Lake, the biggest man-made lake in the state (fact). When we (my cousins and I) were little, we loved going down there, because Grandpa and Grandma had a pontoon boat, cousin Mark had a speed boat, and Grandpa taught us how to canoe, fish, play golf, washers, horseshoes, and just let us be kids. We did occasionally think it was boring, because there were no video stores, or McDonald's, just a Wal-Mart (all of the above is there now! yea!)
Fast-forward a few years. Grandparents no longer have pontoon, but we do lots of golfing. But it is still the best. Uncle Dave makes awesome margaritas (he is from TX), we eat fried chicken, cousin Lisa's pretzel dip, and sit out on the patio til all hours of the night, with sparklers and lots of laughter.
It is so Americana; it is what you would expect 4th of July to be in small town. Everyone wears red, white, and blue, and decorates with bunting. I love it. I am so excited this year, because my brother's wife will be with us, and Dan will be there too! Not all my cousins can come, which is sad, but it will still be wonderful.
Here are some photos, courtesy of my cuz, Frank.
I love my family.ALSO
I found something amazing. Space Travel Bags, courtesy of The Container Store. Awesome. Compact everything so much. Yea packing solutions!
Friday, June 13, 2008
Home Alone.
I am alone for the weekend, and I am so happy. I actually really like living with my parents, but it is so nice to be alone.
They left me a little money for food, so I wandered over the the grocery store tonight. I was not in the mood for anything particular, so I grabbed a basket and started to mosey around. While I was wandering the massive, carpeted aisles, it hit me - 2 months from now, I will not have this luxury. From my research and time in Europe, grocery stores are small. And they are not open 24 hours a day. I remember ice cream runs in my college days at 3 in morning, procrastinating in the middle of massive projects and papers. Probably not going to happen next year. Which really, is good. I do need to be better at planning, and remembering the world doesn't revolve around my schedule. Maybe the Swiss groceries will help.
Right now I'm waiting for my lasagna to finish baking (very practical, about 4 meals out of one pan) and munching on my most favorite food in the whole world, sugar snap pea pods.
I have not even thought about packing or buying my camera or anything. I really need to get on the ball. Please, if you see me, or talk to me, please remind me to continue paring down my belongings. Thanks.
They left me a little money for food, so I wandered over the the grocery store tonight. I was not in the mood for anything particular, so I grabbed a basket and started to mosey around. While I was wandering the massive, carpeted aisles, it hit me - 2 months from now, I will not have this luxury. From my research and time in Europe, grocery stores are small. And they are not open 24 hours a day. I remember ice cream runs in my college days at 3 in morning, procrastinating in the middle of massive projects and papers. Probably not going to happen next year. Which really, is good. I do need to be better at planning, and remembering the world doesn't revolve around my schedule. Maybe the Swiss groceries will help.
Right now I'm waiting for my lasagna to finish baking (very practical, about 4 meals out of one pan) and munching on my most favorite food in the whole world, sugar snap pea pods.
I have not even thought about packing or buying my camera or anything. I really need to get on the ball. Please, if you see me, or talk to me, please remind me to continue paring down my belongings. Thanks.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Minneapolis, how I love thee
I just had the nicest Memorial weekend in my favorite city (in America), Minneapolis. I love Minneapolis (and its twin, Saint Paul) very very much. Something about it just gets in your blood...
Anyway, Sunday was a perfect Minneapolis day. I spent the night at my friend Ashley's apartment, and we slept in. She made pannekoeken for breakfast, and then I headed over to Dan's. After lazing around for a while, we headed to the Birchwood Cafe and I had a perfect lunch of a smoked turkey salad sandwich with watercress, roasted corn, red peppers, black beans, and microgreens in a lime cilantro dressing, and Dan had a black bean burger (I did not pay any attention to his burger, I was enraptured with my sandwich). I think it is my favorite place to eat in the cities. Everything is so fresh, local, organic, and just plain yummy. Last time I was there, they had a turkey burger with strawberries, red onion, honey aioli, bibb lettuce, and a big hunk of melty brie. mmmmmm.
I digress. After that we went to Sebastian Joe's in Linden Hills for ice cream. We walked near Lake Harriet and wandered into a little garden shop, where I made good friends with a little old lady, and watched the sky get very very dark in the Northeast, shortly before the tornadoes came.
The only way it could have been better would have been a trip to Kopplin's Coffee and a movie at the Riverview Theater but tornadoes were touching down and we decided to go back to Dan's nice sturdy apartment building. While we stood outside (Dan lives across the street from The Band Box) watching the storms come in, I ran into my good friend Rachel. She is one of my favorite people. We ended a night with a trip to Uptown and yelled at a taxi driver for being stupid. It was a great, Minneapolis day.
Minneapolis, I will think of you often while I am in Switzerland, and I cannot wait to be a resident of you again, someday.
en fin
Anyway, Sunday was a perfect Minneapolis day. I spent the night at my friend Ashley's apartment, and we slept in. She made pannekoeken for breakfast, and then I headed over to Dan's. After lazing around for a while, we headed to the Birchwood Cafe and I had a perfect lunch of a smoked turkey salad sandwich with watercress, roasted corn, red peppers, black beans, and microgreens in a lime cilantro dressing, and Dan had a black bean burger (I did not pay any attention to his burger, I was enraptured with my sandwich). I think it is my favorite place to eat in the cities. Everything is so fresh, local, organic, and just plain yummy. Last time I was there, they had a turkey burger with strawberries, red onion, honey aioli, bibb lettuce, and a big hunk of melty brie. mmmmmm.
I digress. After that we went to Sebastian Joe's in Linden Hills for ice cream. We walked near Lake Harriet and wandered into a little garden shop, where I made good friends with a little old lady, and watched the sky get very very dark in the Northeast, shortly before the tornadoes came.
The only way it could have been better would have been a trip to Kopplin's Coffee and a movie at the Riverview Theater but tornadoes were touching down and we decided to go back to Dan's nice sturdy apartment building. While we stood outside (Dan lives across the street from The Band Box) watching the storms come in, I ran into my good friend Rachel. She is one of my favorite people. We ended a night with a trip to Uptown and yelled at a taxi driver for being stupid. It was a great, Minneapolis day.
Minneapolis, I will think of you often while I am in Switzerland, and I cannot wait to be a resident of you again, someday.
en fin
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
adventure
Less then three months until I leave! It is starting to feel real... every now and then I get little glimmers of absolute excitement. I was trying to describe it to Dan; feeling like I did the first time I explored Old Town in Stockholm, or saw the Colosseum, or explored the rainforest. Pure, untainted excitement. When I am abroad, I am fearless. Nothing (other than lack of funds) can hinder my adventure. I love it.
Basically, I am excited. And I am blogging because I am sick of cleaning my room and trying to pare down my belongings.
Anyway, I think I am going to make a Target run, because I love Target, and I want to continue to procrastinate.
en fin
Basically, I am excited. And I am blogging because I am sick of cleaning my room and trying to pare down my belongings.
Anyway, I think I am going to make a Target run, because I love Target, and I want to continue to procrastinate.
en fin
Monday, May 12, 2008
prediction
I already know there are some American things I am really going to miss.
So here is the list, in random order:
1. Dan
2. The Simpsons
3. peanut butter
4. America's Next Top Model (seriously)
5. my down comforter
6. green money
7. easily conversing in English
8. Portillo's
9. REAL Coca-cola (european coke is weird. at least I know in advance)
10. TARGET
11. being only a few hours from Dan
12. family get-togethers
13. Minneapolis, in general
14. Dan
15. reading street signs
16. of course, lots of great people
17. Fahrenheit, miles per hour, inches and feet, cups and tablespoons, etc.
18. Dan
19. easily finding books in English
20. American sports
21. sales (Switzerland only has sales 2x a year. :( Seriously. )
22. sitting wherever I want at the movies (yes, there is assigned seating in Switzerland)
23. the election - I have voted every chance I have gotten, I will vote absentee, but you know
24. Dan
25. Dan
en fin
So here is the list, in random order:
1. Dan
2. The Simpsons
3. peanut butter
4. America's Next Top Model (seriously)
5. my down comforter
6. green money
7. easily conversing in English
8. Portillo's
9. REAL Coca-cola (european coke is weird. at least I know in advance)
10. TARGET
11. being only a few hours from Dan
12. family get-togethers
13. Minneapolis, in general
14. Dan
15. reading street signs
16. of course, lots of great people
17. Fahrenheit, miles per hour, inches and feet, cups and tablespoons, etc.
18. Dan
19. easily finding books in English
20. American sports
21. sales (Switzerland only has sales 2x a year. :( Seriously. )
22. sitting wherever I want at the movies (yes, there is assigned seating in Switzerland)
23. the election - I have voted every chance I have gotten, I will vote absentee, but you know
24. Dan
25. Dan
en fin
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
101 days!
Yep, I am leaving in 101 days. Right now it seems so surreal. Some days I cannot fall asleep because my mind is going a mile a minute, trying to decide what to pack, if I should come home for Christmas, how much I am going to miss Dan, etc. For example, what shoes should I bring? This is a very important decision. Do I really need my 4 inch black velvet cut-out wedges? Will I not want them so I can look fabulous while visiting Paris, Milan, etc? What about my 3 inch gold wedges? And do I need two pairs of black knee high boots (completely different, I swear)? You know, important stuff.
I feel a little detached from the whole situation, and I think I can pinpoint it. I really have not been in contact with the family this past week, I think that missing connection has impacted my mood a little... it is difficult to put into words.
Lately I guess I have felt like I have been out of touch with the whole world. Restless. When I talked to Dan about it, he gently said "Cam, you know you feel like that about every 3 months, right?" Yeah, it is true. I just get a little restless. And I want big adventures. But this time... I am actually kind of glad I am feeling like this right now. I am trying to enjoy my small world before my big adventure, and I am so very very aware of my small world right now. I am restless but content, eager to move on, but increasingly nostalgic. Paradigm. Whatever.
Pretty much I feel a lot of things that I cannot fully grasp.
If anyone has packing advice, please send it my way. I am going to ship some things, but I am only allowed one suitcase, at about 48 lbs. Eek.
I feel a little detached from the whole situation, and I think I can pinpoint it. I really have not been in contact with the family this past week, I think that missing connection has impacted my mood a little... it is difficult to put into words.
Lately I guess I have felt like I have been out of touch with the whole world. Restless. When I talked to Dan about it, he gently said "Cam, you know you feel like that about every 3 months, right?" Yeah, it is true. I just get a little restless. And I want big adventures. But this time... I am actually kind of glad I am feeling like this right now. I am trying to enjoy my small world before my big adventure, and I am so very very aware of my small world right now. I am restless but content, eager to move on, but increasingly nostalgic. Paradigm. Whatever.
Pretty much I feel a lot of things that I cannot fully grasp.
If anyone has packing advice, please send it my way. I am going to ship some things, but I am only allowed one suitcase, at about 48 lbs. Eek.
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