Ohhhh, goodies!

Well, I'm beginning to feel like I have a pretty good handle on purchasing things for Malawi.  Most fun and ridiculous purchase so far is a huge hard suitcase.  Figured this option would be best to protect my goodies I will bring as well as eventually serving as a piece of furniture for my future home.  I had the choice of pink, gold, some ridiculous color that only has a name when pared with colors like "macaroni and cheese," and silver.  I opted for the silver one, of course (sorry for those of you who wanted to see me lug a big pink Pepto Bismol suitcase through Africa), with a brand name Jeep (I've never heard of it besides the brand of a car).  Kind of fun I can put on my pack list "Jeep - Check."  Mom wanted to test it out by standing on it...told her "you break it, you buy it!" and decided instead to keep her money.

Amongst some of the obvious things like shirts, pants, socks, makeup, and underwear (mom always told me to bring extra pairs!) I'll write a brief list of some of the top notch things I'm investing in or finding around the house:

Camera/travel tripod
Solar charger
Leatherman
Lamp (hand crank)
Head lamp
Rain suit
Sleeping Bag
Hammock
Bungee cords
Short wave radio (not sure yet?)
Tent
Flashlight
Sleeping pad
Water bottles
Eye drops (for potential eye infection)
Vitamins
Hiking boots
Mirror
Sunglasses
Sewing Kit
Writing paper
Journals
Calendar
Computer (still debating this one...)
Spices
Seeds
Pressure cooker
Cutting board
Constellation book
Dictionary
Field guide
GRE study material

Of course more miscellaneous stuff, but I wont bore you with things like umbrella, bed sheets, and cold medicine.  I sure hope I can fit it all!  Still needing to buy some comfort foods I know I will enjoy, like a jar of peanut butter and another one of Nutella.

It is quite a challenge to figure out what is most important to bring and what things I will be able to pick up once I arrive there.  Some of what can be so nerve wrecking are the unknowns, and the things that no one can answer for me until I experience Malawi.  Simply through this process of applying for the Peace Corps I am learning about patience, how to organize and prepare myself for the unknowns, how to decide things for myself regardless of others opinions, and (maybe most important) to trust my instincts.  Seeing as I've learned this much so far, I can only imagine what awaits me in Malawi.

At any rate, 26 days left in Denver and I'm doing my best to make the most of them, see all the friends and family I possibly can, eat all the yummy foods I know I wont get in Africa, enjoy warm showers and running water at my disposal, speak English with anyone who is willing, and enjoying the snow.  Sushi, ice cream, movie theaters, here I come!