Oooo!

Happy First Day Of WINTER! Opps....wrong hemisphere. I gotta get in the right mind-set, ya know.

So Happy First Day of Summer.

Forget the Butterflies! I have a dinosaur with wings in my tummy!

First of all, MEXICO WAS AWESOME! My mom, step-dad, and I had an absolute blast in Rocky Point. I was pleasantly surprised in the stunning beauty of the beach and you could even shop without leaving your towel! Thanks Mom and Dave for such an amazing trip. Love you, both!

With 21 days left of Summer ("AHH!!"), I'm really getting into the home stretch for my trip. The good-byes are starting. I hugged my mommy goodbye at a Phoenix airport, trying not to be boo-boo faced. My planner is filled with last ditch efforts to hang out with friends. Surf outings, BBQ beach parties, movie nights, time with family and country line-dancing are being crammed into a few short days. My friends are starting sentences with "Oh, we need to do this before you leave!" or "Oh, you'll be gone before then."

I'm in a slight nesting period. I feel like if I don't do something right the VERY second I think about it, it will slip my mind to be lost. I've already been to Target three times this week. I have a notebook of reminders and to do lists. I'm driving myself bananas! I just wish the huge-o Tyrannosaurus Rex with wings, that lives in my stomach, would go away.

Life in a Suitcase

I'm getting into the home stretch with 5 weeks left until my departure (technically, it's less then a month with my week-long trip to Mexico with my mom and step-dad).
I've started to kinda, sorta pack. Instead of doing the typical "switching closets" (aka winter clothes to spring clothes), I'm throwing everything I want to take to NZ on our spare bed. Now, I repeat, everything I WANT to take....not everything I'm going to need. How do you pack your life into two large suitcases (that need to weigh under 50 lbs.)? So far, just my shoes fill a large suitcase.

My friend, Kristin, is an avid world traveler, including a extended time spent in Europe. She's offered (or did I recruit?) her services as my "official packer-helper". She's already looked at me and offered the tip of "Do you honestly need four pink sweaters?" My thoughts are: YES, because they are all different and special...and I know somewhere during my trip I will think to myself "I wish I had pink sweater #3 for tonight!" But that's sacrifice.

So, my question to you is: Any packing tips? I already have the vacuum seal bags that you squeeze all the air out. I know to wear my heaviest stuff on the plane (sweat pants, uggs, sweatshirt, black ski jacket....it's going to be a warm drive to LAX in July, but at least I'll be toasty in NZ!). I want to know the BEST tips and tricks. For example, my dad's co-worker offered the advice of FedEx-ing my undergarments and speedos ahead of time...it would $ but save alot of space.

So, whatca got?