Shopping

I bought:

LUGGAGE! I learned just how tough the luggage handlers are when I traveled to Rwanda last summer.  I tore up one of my suitcases, and the one I borrowed came back held together with zebra print duct tape.  Fortunately, I found these great hot pink suitcases!  They are hard cased and the zipper is in the middle instead of the top (less chance of it breaking!).  Some people's reviews mentioned a terrible odor..... However, the slight smell associated with them was easily diffused with a few dryer sheets locked inside each compartment for a few days.  So far I am greatly impressed with these!  They are a great deal on ebags.com and I even found some bigger discount codes to lower the price even more on retailmenot.com.  Cannot wait to be the first person at the airport terminal baggage claim to notice my luggage on the belt!  Hot pink is pretty hard to miss.

LUGGAGE SCALE!  & COMPRESSION BAGS!  The last two times I've traveled I have had a little problem.... over packing.  I believe most people struggle with this, especially other female travelers out there!  With various different travel restrictions regarding weight and baggage dimensions, both compression bags and hand held scales are the perfect traveling companions!  I can easily weigh my bags before turning them over to the guards, and the bags give me much needed space while packing.  The bags don't need a vacuum; all you do is 'roll' the bag and the air escapes through a one-way valve.  It is great!  And the scale is lightweight, and measures in pounds and kilograms.  I got the compression bags in the pack of three (small, medium, large) so I can easily use my large and medium luggage case and the small one for my carry-on.  Good news is that the discount codes work for these as well!

BAG BUNGEE!  This thing is great!  I'm still working out the kinks, but it is going to be very useful.  You strap it on to the handles of the suitcase, and then strap it around to secure the carry-on.  When I was on my way to Rwanda I had to carry so much luggage that it was simply miserable.  I'll be carrying the same amount (possibly more) to India.  Before I tried to keep my carry-on situated on the large suitcase.  The problem is that it kept falling off!  Luckily, this little gadget secures it on top and makes it much easier.  And luckily for my fashion taste, I was able to score this little number in a black and white zebra print.  And once again, ebags had a great deal on this and the online coupons I found online gave an even bigger discount. 


Not sure what else I need to buy, but hopefully not too much more.... but I do have a wish list!  As I pack up my apartment I've designated one large tub to all things I think I'll take to India, and it includes the things I'll probably need during my month at home before leaving.  I've looked into an e-reader, but still debating.  I'm also looking for a pair of lightweight solar lanterns to take with me.  Unfortunately, the one I took with me to Rwanda miraculously disappeared one day.... I sure hope that little boy I saw eyeing it last summer is currently enjoying it! ha!  I've also been able to sell LOTS of stuff that I don't need online through craigslist and some of facebook's sell groups in my area.  Also, my family has decided to help me have an old-fashioned yard sale after I get home for any items I haven't sold.  CANNOT WAIT for some quality time at home with the family.  My mom has already signed me up to attend a scrapbook convention with her during the first of June.  Hopefully I'll get my full bucket list for this summer together soon!      

Life Changes

"In a chronically leaking boat, energy devoted to changing vessels is more productive than energy devoted to patching leaks."  - Warren Buffet

Fortunately, I've decided to stop fixing leaks and start bailing myself onto another boat.

I've been counting down my life without realizing what I was looking forward to exactly.  The school year has ended, and I am officially a college graduate.  I am moving out of my apartment in less than two weeks.  I leave for India in T-53 days.  And then there was the countdown to law school and the LSAT.  The two things that I have completely dreaded for the past few months is where I am going and how I am getting there.  I came to a major decision today.... I will not be attending law school next fall.  Instead, I will attend graduate school to earn my Master's next fall.  I will still study international human rights, but plan to do so in a different capacity than I previously expected.  Although a big change, I am extremely excited for it.  While looking over courses today I actually smiled.  I smiled!  I am truly excited for what comes after my job in India.... which now means graduate school. 

I know.... crazy, right?  My parents thought so too.  But then we were able to talk, and discuss how much better this would be for me and my future.  I still want to go to law school later in the future, but not now.  I want to work with international organizations focusing on advocacy and development.  Law school could provide a path to this, but I know that grad school will provide a clearer and better prepared future.  It was a tough decision and one that I have mulled over for some time.  I kept it pretty much to myself, never allowing the idea to cross too far into my thoughts.  I thought of how silly it would be to throw away all of the plans I had made and to ignore the years of LSAT study, but I know none of it was in vain.  My plans post-study are the same; it is just that my path to getting to that point has changed.

I'm so thankful for all of the support I've gotten from my family, and especially my friends who are in/going to/graduated from grad school who have given me so much great advice.  I'm still getting things together, but I've looked at some great schools and deciding on GRE test dates.  Luckily for me, if I decide to not take it before I leave I can take it in Hyderabad.  Fortunately, the GRE is a year-round test with a computer format and a quick turnaround time so I have plenty of flexibility.  Best news yet?  More time before I leave to spend with my family and friends, as well as prepare for my year in India.

Enough for now.... I'm headed to bed.  Early morning of baking and rummage sales in the morning!      

        

Officially a University Graduate!

It's finally done.  Goodbye senioritis... I'm not longer a SENIOR!  My time at Southeast Missouri State has been long and eventful; I have had some of the best and worst times here.  I have gained a lot of knowledge, but I am happy to be moving on to bigger things.  I will miss my friends and of course Andy & Toby, but as they all keep reminding me, the best is yet to come. 

A few of the graduating Tri Delts

The graduation ceremony was long, but I truly enjoyed it.  I loved spending the day smiling and posing for pictures with my friends and family.  I was blessed to have a lot of the people I care about at the ceremonies.  My parents, grandparents, Uncle Bill & Aunt Susie, Uncle Bobby, Andrew, and my brother & future sister-in-law. My brother, Joey, and sister-in-law, Le, had problems with their plane and ended up driving and staying up most of the night just to get to the ceremony!  Although they missed the Honors breakfast and part of the Honors Convocation, I don't care.... I practically ran over to them after convocation when I saw them waiting in the back.  They traveled in from Boston; my brother is attending Harvard Medical School so this was a big trip back to see me graduate at his undergraduate Alma Mater.  On Sunday more family came by to eat and have ice cream and cake.  It was a nice couple days, but very exhausting.  On Monday I turned in my last assignment and gave my last presentation.  After turning in my textbooks I felt an amazing weight lifted from my shoulders.

“For fast acting relief, try slowing down” -Lily Tomlin

If only slowing down were an option right now!  I am currently taking a much needed 15 minute break to write this blog post.  I have been up since 7am and at the library since 8am.  I have begun the never-ending (until June 11) intense LSAT prep and have already tired of its repetitiveness.  I will be here until 9pm this evening (barring a few more breaks for dinner and to walk the dog).  I have not been without a job since before I was 16, and this is a brand new experience for me.  However, I would go back to working long weeks if I would never have to look at LSAT prep again!  Unfortunately, I know better than to assume that is possible.  After a few days of this I'm sure I'll get used to these boring days, and eventually the library staff will come to recognize me.  Alas, the never-ending work of a future law student.....

My little station at the Library

On an even more depressing note, all of this LSAT prep is taking up time that I wish I could devote to dreaming about my upcoming trip to India!  It is also keeping me from packing up my apartment, spending time by the pool and with my dog, enjoying my last months of being in America during the summer, spending time with family, friends, and Andy, etc.  I cannot wait until next month!  As my very wise grandmother keeps reminding me, it will go by very quickly.  Because of this, I must spend my time wisely and efficiently, even when being lazy in the sun.  Since I love to plan everything I have a feeling I'll be packing that month with quite a few adventures and quickly marking off fun bucket list items.  I've been looking into a small vacation to the Smokies; but I don't have the time to find anything now because of studying.  Perhaps I'll just plan a fun vacation in the Outer Banks or on Gasparilla Island when I get back in May 2013. 

I guess I should stop daydreaming about all the things I would like to do and get back to studying.  Fun!  Just about 7 more hours and I'll be done for the day.... marvelous.  

    

 

The Year is Winding Down.....

T-8 days until Graduation!
T-38 days until the LSAT test!
T-68 days until I leave for India!

It is all getting so close... I can barely believe how fast this time has been.  Today is my last day at my on-campus job in the Dean's Office.  It is bittersweet.  I will miss everyone I work with, but I definitely look forward to a less hectic schedule.  Next week I'll be working double time at my internship, and then next Friday will be my last day.  I'll be very sad to leave my internship as well.  After all, that internship has helped me so much!  Plus, I've met some great people that I know I'll stay in touch with while I'm away.  Then that whole month of studying for the LSAT will be horrible, but hopefully will pay off.  I'm using the Kaplan Online program to help me study.  I sure hope it is working.... I think my dad hopes it is helping as well!  Then..... THE MONTH OF HEAVEN!  Thank goodness I'll have a month with zero responsibilities!  No studying and no work!  My poor family is going to get so tired of me.... Hopefully I don't annoy them too much.

I've decided to make a bucket list of sorts, but it is only going to be filled with things I can do following the LSAT test.  I do have an actual bucket list, but this will be something different!  I will touch more on my real bucket list in another post since a lot of things I would like to do this next year are on it.  For that month off though, I plan to squeeze a lot of things in.  I want to make the most out of my time with family and friends.  I'd love to take a mini weekend vacay, go to Holiday World, visit the St. Louis Zoo, have lots of bbq nights and bonfires (marshmallows!), shop at the HUGE Goodwill store that my friend Alanna told me about, go fishing/learn to fish with Andy, go muddin' with my best friend Kevin (and maybe go explore some old graveyards like we used to back in high school), tan by the pool, go camping, ride bikes, ride four-wheelers and jet-ski with my daddy, scrap and craft with my momma, spend quality time with my grandparents and my twin Sarah and my Godson Taylor, etc. etc. etc.  The list will be infinitely long.

So as I sit here planning everything that is coming next, I realize that I am kind of ignoring what is currently happening.  It is the end of the school year!  I am officially done with 5 classes (finals included), and I only have two more to go.  However, these are the toughest of my classes; I still have lots of papers, quizzes, presentations, etc.  I can see the light at the end of the tunnel though.  Also, this week is currently my sorority's Senior Week and I am very sad to be leaving such a great group of friends.  I actually cried while I was getting together my wills to give out to the younger girls.  Our Senior Letters night was last Monday evening; my parents, grandma, and Andy all wrote a letter for me.  It was very emotional and... I cried.  Tomorrow morning I will officially become an alumni member of Delta Delta Delta.  Sunday is our Senior Chapter meeting and it will be a very long and emotional night I'm sure.  I know it seems like I'm highly emotional with all this crying business, but it really is just the stress of these last two weeks and all the emotions that accompany graduation!  I'm also in the process of selling practically everything.... most of my apartment items have already been sold!  I'm using that money to help me with this trip to India.  All of the things I don't sell before moving will (hopefully) be sold at a yard sale sometime this summer.

And finally.... speaking of money.... Anyone want to help with that?  Just kidding, but seriously....

I'm very lucky that this Fellowship is not only very prestigious and amazing, but it also offers a small stipend.  The problem?  That stipend won't cover everything.  It will cover most all day-to-day expenses, as well as room and board; but international flights, vaccination costs, visa costs, baggage fees, 'extra' travel while in India, any extra projects for the kids I'll be working with.... none of that is included in the stipend.  So like I said, highly blessed, but also in need.  Luckily I've done well selling a lot of the items I won't need while I'm away (most of which I got at great prices to begin with so I didn't lose much, if any, in the resale!).  That money has been put aside for the trip.  Also, I won't be coming home for Christmas; instead I'll be flying home for my brother's wedding.  My parents have offered to help me with some of the expenses related to that excursion which is great.  I'll buy my plane ticket(s) this week so I am sad to say that I'll be dipping into my savings (highly depressing).  Fortunately for me, I have been working numerous jobs over the years and have been an avid saver! Yay!  But I'm still looking into funding opportunities, as well as accepting the help of friends who are interested in helping.  More on funding later though...      

Ok, I guess I should start back on work and studying.  I have successfully procrastinated enough.  Wish me luck!