Homeward bound!

Well, actually, home already.

And let me tell you, I've never noticed how much SHIT I own.

Just PILES of useless THINGS. Notebooks and trinkets and bracelets and things that I don't even KNOW what they are. UGH.

SO I stored a bunch of things in the attic and started organizing things to pack.

I'm so overwhelmed right now. Leaving everyone in Galesburg was absolutely awful. I'm trying not to think about it too much, but it's hard.

I cannot believe I leave the country in TEN DAYS. TEN. OH god, TEN. I CAN'T SPEAK SPANISH. WHAT WAS I THINKING? AHHH.

Okay okay. I think I just need to listen to a mix and lie down for awhile.

Bezerrrrk.

Doin' it, movin' it, RAMPANT CONSUMERISM

Okay. So I've made a somewhat extensive list of things I'll need to buy and do before leaving for Argentina. I leave on August 6. I go home for about a week and a half on July 27 to get organized, breathe, etc.

Things to buy:

• A watch! I don't know why I don't have one of these already
• A present for my host famiy... The guide that our school gave us says this is customary, and might be something representing our hometown... or, also, "things like peanut butter are also well-received." Does this mean I'm doing to a place without peanut butter? We may have a problem here.
• Webcam/microphone for Skype! Also, learn how to use Skype.
• Adapters for South American outlets....actually, I think we have spares of these at home so I probably won't have to buy them
• International Student Identity Card! I just have to pick it up at the University of Chicago
• Ipod battery? Hmmm... my iPod died awhile ago and I think it needs a new battery, but I'm trying to figure out how to fix it without paying much money...eh. It seems like it'd be a good thing to get working for a 14 hour flight or however long it is...
• Hikin' shoes!
• Good boots
• New toothbrush. Mine is currently disgusting.
• Things like underwear and bras and jeans... I don't have many of these things but I think it'd be better to stock up a bit rather than needing to do constant laundry.
• Toiletries. Shampoo, etc.
• Alarm clock with a looong-lasting battery because host families don't usually like it when their student guests suck up energy
• BIRTH CONTROL! I sometimes hate the health care system... lately it has been VERY difficult -VERY - for me to get my god damned birth control. I'm usually a tolerant person, but with things like medication, prescriptions, etc... ugh.
  

Things to get that aren't necessarily purchases...

• Haircut! Good god, a haircut
• VISA! VISA VISA VISA. Actually, I don't need this for Argentina, but will for Spain, so I need to drop off the processing stuff on July 30. I have an appointment with the consulate that day... which makes me feel rather nifty.
• PRINT MY FUCKING TICKET CONFIRMATION
• Maybe try to find some kind of purse that incorporates a zipper... all this thievery talk has got me more cautious than usual
• CURRENCY!
• Copies of ALL IMPORTANT THINGS... passport, social security card, ID, license... etc.

I might try to get a new camera but that might be too much money. Mine is alright, but I've noticed the photo quality is kinda shit and the battery doesn't last long. I could definitely live without a new one, but it'd be nice. We'll see what the money situation looks like once I get my final paycheck and am actually buying all my shit.

I should also practice my Spanish. Also, they use the "vos" form there... so, that's somethin!

And so we begin.

Greetings!

This is a blog. I have never blogged for many people to read before, but I figure if I'm going off to explore the vast culture of South America and then Spain, perhaps it would be a nice idea to clue people in on the trouble I get into and the wonderful things I might see.

I don't leave for a few weeks, but this shall exist as a place for me to organize my thoughts, sanity, lists of what I need to get, etc. It will probably also diverge into my general thoughts as of late, on things from Galesburg to summer to feminism, since I spend lots of time before falling asleep reading blogs like Female Impersonator or Feministing.

Once I am in foreign countries, this blog will likely be infinitely more fascinating.

I intend this blog to be read by anyone who is interested, but I assume it'll end up being mostly people I know. For those of you who don't know me, though, here's some information:

1. My name is Annie.
2. I am 20 years old and attending the wonderful Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois.
3. I study Creative Writing and Spanish and am also an editor of the school newspaper, The Knox Student.
4. I am living this summer in Galesburg, Illinois, trying to make a little money for when I go abroad. Learning that money is problematic in more ways than one. As this is the first time really living on my own, I think that's what I should be learning. Wouldn't change it.

Oh, for those who don't know- I will be spending one term in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and one in Barcelona, Spain.

Adios for now, amigos!
-Annie