Less than a week... freaking out andddd GO!

I can't believe time has gone by so quickly... it's surreal. Last weekend I went up to central PA to have a final hoorah with all of my college friends, and naturally the freaking blizzard of the century decides to make its way to the NorthEast and ruin all fun things. BUT that didn't stop anyone we were all able to reunite and it felt so right!

I am still recovering from the weekend but as I am doing so it is giving me time to look back and take some time for myself in these final days.

I have had the chance to speak with a number of RPCV's and they have nearly put my mind at ease as to what to expect during training. I have been told they are going to try to intimidate the crap out of us... they WANT us scared so they can know whether or not we really want to be spending two years of our life in constant discomfort (with overwhelming rewards... obvi) so now I know and can keep it calm and collected rather than crying like a little girl. AND I also feel better about the fact that I never actually finished my TESOL certification since we will get fully prepped during training.

I am however feeling the effects of intense stress and anxiety so I am trying to manage as best I can one thing that helped absolutely was this video I found in Oprah magazine (don't you dare judge me) that is apparently the MOST relaxing composition/video on earth and since Oprah is pretty much an expert on all things I tried it out and it worked!! Get your zen on... (I know I sound like an absolute loca.. no me digas no me importa)

 



 

 

For any of you who were invited to Teach English in Panama this girl's blog is supa helpful for packing lists and the like:

Happy Dressing 



Alright one more link:
Muchas Gracias Grupo Setenta
Group 70 in Panama currently put together this thread of a series of questions (things they wish they brought, things they wish they didn't, town size, school size, etc.)

Since I don't particularly want to spend the remainder of this post talking about how crazy I feel right now and how insecure this anticipation is making me I will instead just give you my own routine packing update.

So I was able to fit EVERYTHING into my Deuter 65 Aircontact Pro and a Duffel Bag [with wheels] and I still have room to fit extra stuff if needed... which I will probably fill before I even take off.
**Vacuum seal/air seal bags are your best friend USE THEM

This is a rough list since I don't want to bore you with the mundane details of my packingness:

Things

• 65L Deuter Air Contact Pro Backpack (perfect for those with stupidly small torsos such as myself)
• Day Backpack
• Duffel Bag
• My Baby (Martin LXM 3/4 size guitar + hardshell case)
• Thermarest sleeping pad
• Warm weather sleeping bag (only $35 bucks!!)
• Ipod, Ipad and related gadgets including fancy solar wireless keyboard and USB adapter for iPad
• Two cameras (one fancy one that was a gift from the lovely Anjali that I will use solely as a means of entertainment/hobby in my village so it doesn't get destroyed on the dangerous excursions I will obviously partake in) and a travel size digital one
• Kindle (ESSENTIAL you can share books, and movies and music and things from PC office hardrive)
• Head lamp
• XL Quick Dry towels
• Sunglasses
• Bandanas
• Pics from home
• Watch/small clock

Shoes

• Chacos
• Birkenstocks
• TOMS (a couple pairs, TE volunteers MUST wear closed toe shoes unless they want to wear heels... hell to the NO)
• Running shoes/indoor soccer turf sneaks
• Hiking boots (just covering all my bases...not sure if I'll need to hike around in my placement but I WILL USE THEM MOM) better to be prepared after all
• Flippy floppys
• Kinda formal flats

Clothing (Warning this might seem excessive... longhair don't care)

• Maxi Skirts (a couple)
• Knee length skirts (ditto)
• Shorts (a handful)
• Jeans (3)
• Raincoat
• Cardigans (2)
• Button up Blouses (meh? a bunch)
• Tshirts/tanks (an assortment)
• Dresses (3) all work appropriate
• Sleeping wear (more tshirts [not work approps] and gym shorts [double as running shorts])
• Black socks (they never get dirty)
• Really cute granny panties (a lot)
• flowy light weight pants (2)
• Accessories (vests and things that make me ME)*

Toiletries for DAYS

• Bring enough of everything for at least 3 months since you won't have time to go shopping
• 2/1 shampoo/conditioner that will double as body wash
• toothpaste, doedorant blah blah bring what makes you comfortable
• Make up and anything else that will make you feel like YOU (Panamanian teachers in the city dress to the nines [whatever that means] so I want to look up to par)
• Dry Shampoo, I would STRONGLY recommend purchasing for the days you might not have access to water for a shower (Suave brand lasts the longest and smells fresh, but if you don't care about that nonsense then props for you longhairdontcare)

*It is imperative that you pack things you will actually want to wear, just because you are moving to a new country out in the middle of kabumf&#$ nowhere does not mean you should then resort to wearing mom jeans and becoming GI Jane, you will be going through enough tumult and stress no need to change your identity too

I am almost 100% positive I am forgetting things but I will realize that shortly.... like when I'm on the plane

Chao lokos