First, a bit of news...we just found out this afternoon that we both ranked "Intermediate High" on our final Mandinka language tests. We only needed to reach "Intermediate Mid" before swearing in, so we're quite pleased to have cleared that final hurdle. It's hard to believe that swear-in is in just a couple days. Training really has flown by!
I've been meaning to post our packing list for a while now, since volunteers' packing lists were so helpful to us as we were preparing for our departure. Here goes:
| ITEM | QUANTITY |
| Medical/Toiletries |
|
| Ginger chews
| 2.5 bags |
| Immodium | 1 bottle |
| Fibersure (pre-biotic) | 1 bottle |
| Allegra | 2 bottles |
| DivaCup | 2 |
| Emergen-C | 2 1/2 boxes |
| Hand sanitizer | 1 large, 3 small bottles |
| Baby wipes | 2 travel containers |
| Q-tips | 1 travel box |
| Ibuprofen | 1 bottle |
| Tylenol | 1 bottle |
| Lotion (Eucerin) | 1 bottle |
| Chapstick | 5 |
| TP | 1 roll |
| Travel packs of kleenex | 4 small packets |
| Ear plugs (multiple) | 4 sets |
| Deoderant | 6 |
| F'breeze | 2 travel bottles |
| Sunglasses | 4 pairs
|
| OFF/DEET
| 2 bottles |
| Anti-itch cream | 2 tubes |
| Polysporin | 1 tube |
| Sunblock | 3 tubes |
| Zit cream | 1 tube |
| Moleskin | 2 packs |
| Blister pads | 3 |
| Dr Bronner's Soap | 1 large bottle |
| Toothbrushes | 8 |
| Retainers | 2 |
| Toothpaste | 2 big tubes, 2 travel size |
| Mouthwash | 1 bottle |
| Floss | a few |
| Tweezers | 1 |
| Nail clippers | 1 |
| Razors and extra blades | 2 razors, 7 packs |
| Small travel toiletry bottles | 3 |
| Shaving comb and mirror | 1 and 1 |
| Beard/hair trimmer | 1 |
| Food/Cooking |
|
| Drink mix powder | 1 container |
| CliffBars and Protein Bars | a bunch |
| Spices | a bunch |
| Salt and pepper grinders | 2 |
| Scrub brush | 1 |
| Can Opener | 1 |
| Silverware | 4 forks, 4 spoons, 4 knives |
| Knives | 2 |
| Cutting board | 1 |
| Diamond stone | 1 |
| Measuring cup/spoons | 1/2 cup, tsp, tb |
| Vegetable Peeler | 1 |
| Plastic spatula | 1 |
| Lighters | 4
|
| Sturdy tupperware | 4
|
| Ziploc bags and trash bags | a bunch |
| Outdoor Gear |
|
| Work gloves | 2 pairs |
| Bungee Cords | 2 |
| REI Bug Hut 2 | 1 |
| Rain fly | 1 |
| Tent footprint | 1 |
| Headlamps | 2 |
| LED flashlights/lanterns | 3 |
| Carabiners | 5 |
| Duct tape | 1 roll |
| Electrical tape | 1 roll |
| Patch kit | 1 |
| Super glue | 1 |
| Nylon cord | 100 feet |
| Sleeping pads and stuff sacks | 2 and 2 |
| Sleeping bags and stuff sacks | 2 and 2 |
| Cocoon Coolmax Travel Sheets | 2 |
| Water bottles | 5 |
| Large water bladder (10 L) | 1 |
| MSR Miniworks and extra filter | 1 and 1 |
| Katadyn Camp and extra filter | 1 and 1 |
| Iodine | 2 bottles |
| Camp towel | 2 |
| Exactoblade | 1 |
| Leathermen w/ cases | 2 |
| Pocket knife | 2 |
| Packs/bags | 6 |
| Compression sacks | 4 |
| Raincoats | 2 |
| Softshell | 2 (1 each)
|
| Clothes/Shoes |
|
| Running/light hiking shoes | 2 pairs (1 each) |
| Chaco/Keen Sandals | 4 pairs (2 each) |
| Socks | 4 pairs |
| Travel underwear | 11 pairs (6 Jacob, 5 Sarah) |
| Real Bra | 1 (S only) |
| Sports Bras | 5 (S only) |
| Sleeping Bras | 2 (Sarah only) |
| Handkerchiefs | 5 |
| Bathing suit | 3 (1 Jacob, 1 bikini and 1 one-piece for Sarah) |
| Pashminas | 1 (Sarah only) |
| Buff bandanas | 2 |
| Regular bandanas | 5 |
| Hat | 1 |
| Adjustable belt | 1 (Jacob only) |
| Work Pants | 3 pairs (Jacob only) |
| Anthropologist Pants | 2 (one each) |
| Sarah work shirts | 1 long sleeve, 1 1/2 sleeve button-down, 3 short sleeve, 2 sleeveless |
| Sarah non-work shirts | 1 running tank, 1 long sleeve |
| Sarah western top | 1 |
| Jacob work shirts | 3 long sleeve, 2 short sleeve |
| Jacob non-work shirts | 1 long sleeve |
| Running t-shirts | 4 (2 each) |
| Underarmors | 4 (2 each) |
| Long Skirts | 3 (Sarah only) |
| Jeans | 2 (1 each) |
| Mesh shorts for sleeping/running | 2 (Jacob only) |
| Prana capris for running, etc | 2 (Sarah only) |
| Prana knickers for running, etc | 1 (Sarah only) |
| Gauchos for sleeping | 1 (Sarah only) |
| Entertainment/Electronics |
|
| Scrabble | 1 |
| Pack of cards | 2 |
| Settlers of Catan and extension pack
| 1 and 1 |
| Computer (plus case and silicon keyboard cover and charger) | 1 and 1 and 1 and 1 |
| Computer lock | 1 |
| External harddrive | 1 |
| Rechargeable Batteries (AA and AAA) | 8 AA, 20 AAA |
| Energizer Duo Charger | 2 |
| Surge protector, transformer, power strip | 1 and 1 and 1 |
| Plug converter | 1 |
| Camera, camera case, SD cards | 1 and 1 and 3 |
| Flash drives and SD/USB converters | 1 and 2 |
| Watches | 2 |
| Shuffle, headphones (one extra), running armband for S | 2 and 3 and 1 |
| School/Office Supplies |
|
| Sharpies (Black and Colored), Pens, Crayons | 1 pack mixed color sharpies, 1 pack pens, 1 pack crayons |
| Calculator | 1 |
| Books | 5 |
| Rubber bands | 1 pack |
| Planner | 1 |
| World map | 1 |
| Small sturdy notebooks | 6 |
| Scissors | 1 pair |
| Other |
|
| Clothes pins | 1 pack |
| Pillows and pillow cases | 2 and 4 |
| Travel Sewing Kit | 1 |
| Cash ($600) | $600 |
| Credit/Debit Cards | several |
| Passport photos | 16 each |
| Pictures from home | a bunch |
| Host family gifts/neighborhood kid gifts | a few |
| Nail polish/make-up and fun jewelry | a little |
| Hairbands | 3 packs |
| Fly swatters | 1 |
| Key padlock and keys | 2 and 2 |
| Various PC paperwork | a bunch |
| Luggage tags (CARE) | 4 |
There were a few other items we really wanted to bring but had to leave behind due to the weight/space limit and the lack of warning of our impending departure...many thanks to our parents for quickly sending us following items (among others) in packages: a few more pairs of underwear; a pair of Chaco flip flops for me; a second bottle of pre-biotic; a spare computer charger; a fitted sheet; a bottle of conditioner; and the game Jenga. I'll take this opportunity to send a huge thank you Ellen and Bob and Granddad and Beth as well for sending packages of edible goodies - hugely appreciated!!
I will post again in a couple days with pictures from swear-in. I hope everyone's new year is off to a great start!
No comments:
Post a Comment