minimalist living-life from a suitcase

Generally, I'm the kind of person who cleans and organizes everything. There is very little in my life/surroundings that doesn't have a specific place or purpose.
For the most part, I subscribe to the belief that a cluttered environment means a cluttered mind and I make a conscious effort to frequently reevaluate what I need and what I could give away. Living with as little clutter as possible helps me to think more clearly.

But when it comes to packing for a trip, a long distance, four month long trip for example, those urges to clean and be minimal come into conflict with my urge to be as prepared as possible. Weighing the necessity of each thing I pack makes me truly think about what is required for a full life. The answer is: not much. Beyond the basics, it is best to leave room for experiences to flesh out the space around me.

Bottom line: living with less allows you to live more fully.

besitos
-j

strong foundation

It's starting to get really real. In 11 days, I'll be on a plane headed to Buenos Aires. Mild terror and second guessing have officially set in.

But apart from the normal nervousness and double-triple-checking, I am ready to take the leap. There will be moments and even whole days that are pretty crumby because navigating an entirely new place has it's challenges but I know that I have a whole bunch of people who are excited for me, who are wishing me well and who can't wait for me to have this adventure.

It's a very reassuring feeling to know you've got people in your corner, even if it's a whole continent away.

besitos
-j

the rosy glow of impending nostalgia

I've been at home for almost two months. Away from the rush of classes but also away from my friends and my city. I've been back to visit several times which has definitely helped and now I feel like I've said my temporary goodbye to Ann Arbor.

But now, with the days beginning to tick down seemingly louder and faster than before, I find myself looking around my house, the photos and furniture beginning to take on a a rosy glow, fuzzy around the edges. I call this the glow of impending nostalgia. It happens every time before I go away for a long time, the mundane and familiar objects, places, and people in my everyday life adopt a heightened significance.

I've started to look at my recommended packing list and it's really starting to hit me.
Argentina is coming.

besitos
-j

victory

The insurance company finally agreed that it made sense to give me a 4 month supply of my medication seeing as I'll be gone. Only took them a week to see that. They're brilliant.

besitos
-j

Yellow Fever, Typhoid, Malaria-Oh My

Yesterday I went to a travel clinic to get my immunizations for the rare diseases I will most likely never encounter. After waiting for twenty minutes and spending $250, I received shots for yellow fever and typhoid. Delicious. I also received anti-malarial pills and Cipro, an antibiotic for traveler's diarrhea. Having intimately experienced this during my time in Spain, I consider the $10 for the Cipro arguably the best money spent all day.

The next item on Argentina day was to haggle with my insurance over a vacation override to get a 3 month supply of a medication I take for ADD. Life would be easier if I didn't have to deal with this part of the...wait, what was I saying? In all seriousness, I'm very fortunate to have good insurance, or rather, that my mother does and it will all work out soon enough.

Surprise of the day was my dad buying me a new camera. Seeing as my existing camera was purchased in 2004, has seen the countries of France, Italy, Greece, Canada and Spain, been dropped off ledges and down stairs, and has a charger which was left behind somewhere in northern Spain...it was time for an upgrade. However, I had planned on spending the money to technologically advance my camera and was genuinely surprised when my dad said he'd take care of it. The most my parents ever pay for is dinner when we go out to eat so this was great.

Now I sit playing with my new camera, promising I won't ever drop it off high places onto hard surfaces, knowing I'm probably lying. I have my suggested packing list printed off.

Maybe considering packing would be good....

besitos
-j

y mis padres son...

I just found out who my host familia is. They are in their sixties, my host mother is a literatura teacher, they are Buddhists and have a dog. Yes, I briefly thought of the scene in Anchorman..

I am going to live with two Argentinian Buddhists. This makes me so excited. Not because I am Buddhist myself but because I am currently imagining what it is like to be, I assume, a practicing Buddhist in Argentina-a country of Catholic tradition where many have a laid-back, non-Mass attending way of faith.

I am thrilled they have a dog, hopefully I will miss mine less.

These detalles are making el hecho de mi viaje a Argentina muy real.

Getting travel vaccinations later today-Yellow Fever, Typhoid and Malaria here I come. Please don't kill me.

besitos
-j

deuces A2

This weekend I went to Ann Arbor to celebrate a good friend's 21st birthday. I knew that this was going to be my last time in Ann Arbor for five months, kind of heavy shit. It's a city I love and identify with far more than with my actual hometown.
Between the car ride to Ann Arbor, house-shaking birthday party, somewhat surreal journey to Livonia and Fleetwood Diner for a farewell meal of Hippie Hash, it was a near perfect good bye to not only my friends but the city as well. Maybe it was the fact that it was a birthday, a celebration of life and accomplishments and all that goodness, but the atmosphere throughout was of optimism, exuberance and seriously good vibes.

This morning, sitting in Fleetwood with a cup of coffee and a steaming plate of hash, I felt incredibly fortunate to be where I was and headed where I am headed. I hope that my second family in Ann Arbor, particularly my FOKUS fam, know how grateful I am for them.


The experiences I have had in Ann Arbor have helped to shape who I am and I'm going to miss this city something crazy but after this weekend I feel ready to jump into this new Argentinian adventure

besitos
-j