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Sunday, August 26, 2012

The Joys of Packing

Wow. I would like to start off by saying... AHHHHHHHHHHH! I LEAVE TOMORROW!!!!! AHHHHH!!!!! Okay, now that I got that out of my system I can start. ;)
Packing to go the Ukraine was pretty hectic. First, I had to pack up my apartment in Utah to come to Virginia, which is where my family is currently living, just to unpack and start figuring out which clothes I would be bringing to the Ukraine. Thankfully, I was able to come home twice over the summer each time leaving way more clothes then I would take back. In May, I left all my winter clothes and then at the end of July when I came home for my sisters graduation I brought home a ton of clothes and brought very little back to Utah. However, I somehow managed to still have two over weight bags when I left Utah for the last time. Needless to say, I have a lot of clothes and stuff! 

Once I got "home" to Virginia, I unpacked my 2 big, heavy suitcases and started sorting through my clothes. A pile for clothes going back to Utah in January, a pile of clothes for the Ukraine, and a pile of stuff to go in the attic. The stuff that went in the attic was mostly some picture frames or books that I do not to use at this moment in time or in January when I get back out to school. After sorting through the suitcases I sorted through my closet and dressers and my pile of clothes for the Ukraine just kept getting bigger and bigger. I think the main reason it was so big is because I really do not know what I will be able to just buy in the Ukraine and I do/did not want to leave behind anything that I might need. After coming to the realization that I only should bring clothes that are absolutely necessary the narrowing down became easy. I packed all of my winter clothes, except my heavy jackets that take up a lot of space because, I am just going to buy a nice Ukraine coat when I get there that I will probably leave it with my Host Family. :) I also packed nice tops that I can teach in along with nice slacks and jeans that is also professional looking. Even though I will be teaching kids, I still need to look professional. 


The main thing that made packing difficult is the fact that I also had to pack supplies for the school that I will be teaching in. That means even less space in my suitcases for my clothes and shoes. Thankfully, a lot of the supplies that I ended up buying where lightweight, the only exception being construction paper. After shopping for all the supplies and for some clothes that I need, mainly dressy jeans, some shoes, and nice cardigans, the daunting task came to fit everything into 2, 50 pound suitcases, and a carry on. Thankfully someone invented airtight bags. I used those and everything. I suspect that my suitcases are under 50 pounds but I will find out for sure tomorrow in the airport. (I left space in my carry on in case they are a little overweight). 


I had a fun time this week shopping for my gifts to give my host family. I wanted the gifts to represent me in some way. My dad came up with the great idea to give them a nice throw blanket with an American Flag on it. I could not find any but when I was looking on the air force base I found some really cute Air Force bears that I bought for any siblings I may have in my Ukrainian family. For those of you who don't know my Dad is in the Air Force.  :) 


Now that I am officially packed up and ready to go! In which I owe a huge thank you to my mom for helping me this week. THANK YOU MOM!!! YOU'RE THE BEST, I LOVE YOU! I am super super super excited for this experience. I am not really nervous, but I am very anxious just to get there and experience all that the Ukraine and Eastern Europe has to offer. I cannot wait to meet my Host Family and the other girls that I will be working with. 


Oh, I also promise that my posts when I am in the Ukraine will have plenty of stories and will not be so.. oh i packed today, blah blah blah boring. :) 



This is what my schedule looked like this past week... and everyday ended up somehow busier.

This is the ADORABLE Air Force bear! 

3 comments:

  1. I am happy to report that cherish has safely arrived in the Ukraine! There's a 7 hour time difference from the Eastern time zone.
    Cherish, we are so excited for the great adventure you are embarking on. We look forward to hearing about everything. We are so proud of you...you are courageous and valiant...and we are so blessed you are our daughter. We miss you like crazy and love you beyond words! Love, Mom and Dad. Xoxoxoxo

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  2. This is me fulfilling my promise and posting a comment.

    -Ryan

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  3. hahahaha Ryan that totally doesn't count! :P

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