Winding Down & Packing Woes

I have 2 nights left sleeping in a familiar place.

Preparing to leave has become more surreal as time descends.
I have few more things to pack... some books, some Emergen-C, more sunscreen, pillow, towel... and I am already about 15-16lbs over the Peace Corps weight limit! The questions is...from what I already packed what can I go without for 2 1/2 years... tricky tricky considering almost everything thing that is packed is from the provided packing list and I have hardly had room to add in any personal amenities. Hmm... go over and hope for the best? pay whatever fee will surely be coming to me for exceeding the weight limit. (Side note both of my suitcases weighed 12lbs with nothing in them! I was robbed of 24lbs!)

Besides freaking out about packing I've been realizing a lot my days have been filled with 'lasts.' Last time for over 2 years that I will spend time with my friends, family members...last time eating pizza, ice cream, or morning star fake chicken nuggets, doing my laundry in a machine at my convenience. I will no longer be using a computer, TV daily or taking a hot shower. Simple things like falling asleep on the couch, checking my email or calling up a friend will soon become foreign activities in my new life. I am anxious to see what it will be like to have these things become less familiar. Excluding the friends and family, I am not mourning the loss of these luxuries... but rather feeling a sense of reality creeping in.

As hard as my transition will be I find myself worrying about those I leave behind. If I had room in my suitcase I'd bring all of you!