Packing

<---- This is how I feel after being about 2.5 hours into packing for Induction and Institute. I have to fit everything that I need (clothes, shoes, toiletries, iron, fan, sheets, towels, etc) into suitcases that can't be over 50 lbs. I know that sounds like a lot of weight, but I think I will be bringing TWO suitcases that are both almost to the weight limit PLUS my backpack and maybe another small carry on bag. I feel like I'm not necessarily a high maintenance kind of girl, but I guess I just have a lot of stuff. Things would be a lot easier if I was a dude. Four pairs of shoes max, 3 pairs of pants, 3 shirts, a couple of ties. Wouldn't that be nice? 

I still have to finish up my pre-institute work tonight. I'm anticipating it taking about 3 hours or so to finish up these last bits. I've done almost all of the reading, but still have a couple of videos to watch and about 5 reflections to write up. What sucks is that I'm pretty sure that there are going to be people that come into this having done close to none of the reading, and they feel fine about it. I don't think I will ever be that person. 

I've also printed off a couple of things that I need for my trip tomorrow. I had to change my flight to leaving around 11:15 a.m. instead of my 2:30 p.m. flight because the 2:30 flight is only showing 2 seats left. I guess that's what you get for trying to fly standby. When I get to the airport, I'm gonna have to take a cab to WashU because there is no way that I'm going to be able to lug all of my bag around on a metro. It'll be a lot more expensive, but maybe someone else who is TFA will be getting in at the same time and will be willing to share a cab with me. It'll be nice to get to know someone else too, besides just saving some moolah. 

Schedule for tomorrow:

• 11:15 a.m. EST - Flight leaves for St. Louis
• 12:10 p.m. CST (new time zone, one hour behind EST) - Land in St. Louis
• 2:00 p.m. - Registration for Induction
• 6:30 p.m. - Welcome Dinner

My last tweet reads: "I leave for St. Louis tomorrow... I can't believe that it's here! Still a little nervous and a lot scared, but I hope it'll be great." I think that's a pretty good picture of how I feel. Undoubtedly, there will be some tears tomorrow. I love North Carolina and the people here, especially my family and close friends. Part of me feels like I'm going off to do TFA all alone, but I know that my loved ones will be supporting me (even if they don't think this is my best decision ever).