Friday creeps closer

It seems hard to believe that by the end of the week I'll be on my way. I'm tired of waiting! My anxiousness is subsiding (for now). It's really helped chating with some of the other volunteers in my group. I feel so much more confident. All I have to do now is pack... My list (more or less complete):

Clothing
short sleeve button up shirts
long sleeve button up shirts
ties
micro fiber undershirts
tee shirts
khaki pants
jeans
shorts
athletic shorts
wool socks
sock liners
cotton socks
underwear
long underwear
Cotton sweater
Fleece jacket
Fleece vest
Raincoat
fleece gloves
Rechargeable batteries
Shortwave radio
electrical adaptors
Converter
Sleeping bag w/liner
Pillow
Goretex hiking boots
Sneakers
Toiletries

Misc
Deck of cards
Uno
Journal
Assorted pens
Peanut butter
Tabasco
Spices
Photo album of friends and family
Crayons
Stickers (for kids)
Index cards
Sharpies
Various books (not "A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich". That would be too much).

Talk about depressing

I just finished completing my living will with my parents. Wow. That was a downer. I had to go through the procedures I wanted or did not want to go through while being "Jimmy Shivo". I made that list really short. Though unpleasant it may be to thing about and actually write down, it had to be done. I've almost finished with my life insurance as well. That should be finished tomorrow.
I also found out I will be able to catch up with my former boss at Amnesty International during staging in Philadelphia. I'm really looking forward to that.

The pieces are coming together...

...slowly, but surely.

I've been scouring the Internet and talking RPCVs for packing lists and other ideas. I think I've more or less gotten everything I'm going to take with me. My goal is to get everything into my backpack. I know it's a loafy goal, but God bless compression sacks. With their help I think I can get it done. My "To Do List" is getting much shorter. I need to get insurance on my valuables (lap top, camera, etc), give my parents power of attorney, tie up other lose ends and get last minute gear. Three weeks left and I'm starting to feel the pressure.

I had a dental cleaning today. My dentist told me to come back in to get a filling as a "preventative" measure as he's seen Eastern European dentistry. I'm looking forward to getting that taken care of. I have no idea when my next check up will be.

My Bulgarian is coming along slowly. I can't say anything important. I can, however, sound words out.