The Calm Before the Storm

Packing: verb [trans] = to fill (a suitcase or bag), esp. with clothes and other items needed when away from home... to cram a large number of things (into a container or space).

I have officially packed everything I deem necessary for Denmark. All my necessities have been packed into two checked bags that are both bordering the 70 pound excess weight limit, a 35- pounder carryon (thankfully a rolly one), and a weekender bag that is functioning as my "personal bag" filled with everything that didn't fit in the other bags. I've got a lot of "necessities"and I am known for over-packing aka this is really true to character.

With less than 24 hours left before leaving America, I am starting to get a little panicked. Usually before a big test that I'm really anxious about I experience a great calm before the storm that is the test, and proclaim "I'm over it" and pretend to not worry about how poorly studying is going. Well, I'm definitely "over" how much I've over-packed and I've come to terms with the fees I will need to pay in order to ensure my precious necessities make it to Denmark.. but I am definitely not calm. I know I won't sleep well tonight as my mind will be racing with questions like: will my flight be delayed by the looming snow storm? will I be seated next to someone smelly (or worse, chatty) on the plane or will I be able to stretch out and try to sleep? why haven't I secured a summer internship yet? what will my first meal in Copenhagen be? The list goes on and on and by the time I'm done I'll already be worrying about how I'm going to fit everything back into my suitcases in May. But I have a lot of time until then and thank god my parents are bringing an empty suitcase when they visit so I can send stuff home with them.. for right now I have to put that question into the "let's cross that bridge when we get to it" folder in my mind.

I'm not going to post a picture of me and my bulging luggage bags on here, mostly because I don't know which bag my camera is in, but I can let you all imagine what my suitcases look like. Envision big black/grey suitcases that all look like they're about to rip at the seams.  TSA approved, of course.

This image is definitely drawn to scale.

So that is that. Tomorrow I will wake up and try to eat a very American breakfast and do any last minute errands I need to before handing everything over to Scandinavian Airlines and Newark International Airport and bidding farewell to America!


I will debrief when I have settled in Denmark in a few days!