Packing list of fame

You would never think that squeezing your life into an 80 pound weight restriction would be difficult. Well, allow me, three bags and nearly a bottle of wine to argue the contrary (there's no Trader Joe's in Africa, so shut it. I'm an angel from here on out).

So Peace Corps allows you to check exactly 80lbs of luggage, with a 50lbs max for one bag. I have spent the entire day, literally, playing tetris with mounds of clothing, small electronics, kitchenware and the little luxuries that I want to bring with me. I've laughed at myself a few times throughout the day, and was compelled to share parts of my list.

I have begrudgingly forfeit my face wash, some choice clothing, half of my bugspray, my favorite spices (blasphemy to my culinary father, sorry pops), numerous lotions, the one book I was dead set on bringing but which apparently weighs the equivalent of three other books and a pair of shoes, my new Disney World Tinkerbell mug (SAD!), half of my toothpaste, and my hair dryer (sorry Cape Verde, you have a hot mess coming your way) for the following essentials:

• A framed photo from Zurich, an old-school photo-booth print from LA, a small turtle from Grand Cayman and my Christmas ornament named Hootie.
  
• Ten goodbye cards and an incredible letter from a friend's co-worker who is also a RPCV from Senegal. Totally worth it.
• A very random decoration from India that I bought with a friend currently serving with Peace Corps in Ecuador.
• A framed card from my sister, paired with a framed photo of me as a baby with my hippie parents while I was being baptized in a lake. My mom with huge glasses and braids, my dad donning a flannel shirt before that was all modern day hipster. Best photo ever taken.
• Two journals: one was my Xmas present this past year, from my mom. The other was from Clint and Katie, who have no idea how much love I'm going to pour into it.
• One bottle of sunscreen from Reveal so that my Dr friend doesn't write me scathing emails about how I'm ruining my skin. It's self-tanning, I still win. Also a two year supply of chapstick because crazy people work there.
• The Chipmunk Adventure. I kid you not. I would leave a kidney behind to bring this movie with me.

• On a sad note, the thing that was at the tippy top of my list that I was unable to buy (don't sell your car until errands are done) is this beauty:

(This is a fantastic birthday present idea, second only to Annie's white shell cheddar mac 'n cheese)