Overwhelmed and packing

I've been doing some reflecting this past week on what it was like to come to St. Lucia. Part of this is because I went down south and saw the airport I came into, part is because we're getting ready for our group coming in the end of January, and the other part is because I'm getting ready to take a trip back to the states in 2 months to see my family. If there was one word to describe what I felt that day it's overwhelmed. I had no clue what I was getting into, where I was going, and what the heck I was doing on this small island that I had never heard of until about 6 weeks before this! But I am oh so ever glad that I decided to come. I feel lucky to be on St. Lucia and in the village I'm in. The people are awesome and love PC! They look out for me and make sure I'm ok. I get to take my time and learn the language (I suck at languages, but I really want to learn kweyol so I'm learning phrase by phrase word by word as I need to use it or what to understand what someone else is saying to me).

When I was packing last year to come (which I did the day before I left) I had no clue what to bring, so I looked at blogs to get ideas as went according to the PC packing list as well. There are a lot of things that I wish I brought, some things that I wish I didn't bring, and some things that I'm super glad I brought! (PS this list also serves as my Christmas list for my sisters and parents as the things that I wish I brought I'm either going to be buying at Christmas or getting as presents!!)

I'm so glad I brought an accordian file folder! All those papers that you get a PST (pre-service training) add up. I was glad I brought it to keep things organized going back and forth! I love all the skorts I brought. I have to "dress up" aka buisness casual, every day for work. It's really hot, so the couple pairs of pants I brought usually say in my drawer (though all the guys wear dress pants and polos) and I wear skirts and skorts to try and keep cool. I'm also really glad I brought shirts that can be dressy or casual depending if I put them with shorts or a skirt. A really cool packing tip I read was to pack things in kitchen containers. This was really helpful because those containers are expensive. Before I left, my aunt gave me this "beach bag." I never thought I would use it; however, I use it everyday and it's almost worn out! I even had to sew the handles on to reinforce it. I use it for shopping, the beach, carrying my laptop around, carrying other things around, and going to pick fruit. I'm also super glad for a couple other presents I got. I love my kindle! I also love the baby powder that I was given! So helpful! Oh, and my computer was a necessity! I'm also really glad I brought a present for my host family. My host mom is amazing. I still go and see her whenever I can.

Things I wish I didn't bring: so many socks. I got some new black socks before I left home and haven't even opened the package. The PC packing list said we needed passport pics for local permits and stuff, yeah, that was a waste of my money. I also brought clothes that were a little too big for me. I've lost some more weight while being here, and so they're really too big for me.

So if I could have brought an extra suitcase I probably would have! So here's what I wish I had brought: A football or some type of sports equiptment (an in with the kids as well!), more daily clothes and shorts. I brought plunty of work clothes, but not enough for around in the community or at my home. My buisness suit. There have been at least two times when I would have worn it. Personal hygine products: body wash, shaving cream, ect. These thing are all really expensive. I did get some shaving cream on sale! More shoes and clothes! I can never have enough of these. At least once a week I wish I had another pair of sandles because mine have already worn out (I ordered some tevas and am picking them up at Christmas!).

So as I'm thinking about going back to Ohio for Christmas, I get kind of sad as well. While I miss my family and can't wait to see them, I would love to see a Lucian Christmas and I'm going to miss my island home for two weeks. Maybe next year my family will come and see me :)