The Joys and Stress of Packing

  -->

This past week has been rather bittersweet since it has been filled with fare-thee-wells and endless amounts of packing. Why you ask? Because tomorrow is the day I finally leave to become a camp counselor.

I am so excited about my future prospects that I can barely hold it in. With each article of clothing --or needed item-- I pack, I feel as though I am one step closer to my newest endeavor. And with this great adventure who knows what else will come?

The anticipation, I will admit, is making me a bit nervous. During this past week I had a dream that I woke up on the day I was leaving five hours late and everything that I needed to take in the laundry hamper. When I awoke sweat dripped from my brow and I immediately got up and frantically began to pack, smelling each piece of clothing so that I could assure myself it was clean.

As of this moment all of my clothes have been packed and laundered (halleluiah) and all of my toiletries, bedding, and shoes are neatly stowed away into their intended bags. Even my guitar, ukulele, and white board are ready to go. All I have left to pack into my car is me.

I must say, that through all of this packing I have slowly come to realize I have no idea what I actually need for this job, Will thirty pieces of clothing be enough? Or is that too much? I don’t want to look like a pack-mule nor do I want to be named the bag lady. Then I ask myself, why do I care so much?

I know that pre-journey jitters are normal and that almost everyone goes through them, but if my goal is to become a writer for adventure novels shouldn’t I know how to pack accordingly? After all, it’s not like Wendy was like, “Hey Peter, so what’s the weather like in Neverland? Should I bring a coat? Maybe an extra pair of socks?”

Do any of you guys have any packing tips? Whether they’re for real life or stories? Or, better yet, do any of you know where I can get Mary Poppins carpetbag?

-->

HKx

Brandon Lee took the pictures above in December of 2011. The brief case, along with everything I am wearing, is from all four of my grandparents’ closets.

Three Steps Closer

Dear Reader,

Ecstatic, delighted, over the moon. These are only a few adjectives that describe how I feel right now. But in order to tell you why I must start at the beginning.

About two month ago my friend Eric told me he was applying for a job as a youth counselor for summer art camp. Nervously I asked if he wouldn't mind if I applied for it as well to which he said, "It would be such a party if we both got it." So with his consent I quickly filled out an application and sent it off in hopes of getting the job. The picture above is of me sending off my application. Don't you just love my dad's over sized plaid, flannel shirt?

Then about three weeks back I had my over-the-phone interview with one of the ladies in charge. After the interview was over I felt pretty good. The outcome of my summer job status was looking bright. I mean it went really well. It was easy, I made her laugh, and she seemed to really like me. But after Eric had his interview on Wednesday all of my confidence left.

At that very moment it dawned on me that the lady who had interviewed me could have been really friendly and made everyone feel like they were a shoe in. From that moment onward all of my confidence was gone and for the past few days I went through life one minute at a time. I began to doubt myself in everything I was working towards. But then today happened and everything changed.

At exactly 2:28pm I missed the call that held the important information about my future job situation. Listening to the voicemail nervously I heard the words, "congratulations you--" and before I could hear the rest I called her back practically screaming. I don't think anything I said from that point onward made any sense but I believe she got the jist.

I am so excited for this summer I don't think any of you can truly comprehend what I am going through right now. But if you do then I am happy for you. Because that means you are having this same happiness in your life as well!

HKx