I'm Like a Boy Scout

I like to be prepared.

This becomes problematic when I travel.

There was only one time in my life I felt that I actually packed appropriately for a trip. Wait, I take that back, I wasn't adequately packed for that trip. When I went to New Orleans for the marathon, I made sure to have my essentials (everything I'd be using for the marathon), and everything else was secondary. Only I didn't expect it to be so cold, and well, I went cold. The only reason I packed so light was because my last trip before NOLA was a 14 backpacking trip to Europe, and I experienced having to carry everything you ever needed on your back. Okay, so I have a big backpack, even bigger than some guys bring. Okay, I was only there two weeks, not two months. Okay, I didn't have it fully packed, but I did load it up with things I never really used (at least I used all my footwear). But at least I was prepared and I didn't need any additional bags for take-homes, even when I brought home a giant can of Weißwurst (oh, ich liebe meine deutsche Buchstabierer), and even though the lady who hand checked my bag took it out and made fun of me auf Deutsch with her co-workers and I understood (and retorted, auf Deutsch).

Anyway, I really don't look forward to packing for this trip to Hawaii. In fact, I dread it. My mom bought and gave me a new piece of luggage for me to use for the trip, and she told me she got it because it was small enough that you can carry it in. And I thought...um. We're going to be on a boat for a week. This may become more "involved."

I do have the advantage that this trip is in Hawaii, which means warmer weather and clothes with less yardage. I dug up all three pairs of shorts and am bringing my capris and have to select my skirts. All swimwear is coming with me. I'm going to find all the sarongs I have from my hobo collection. I'll bring maybe one pair of jeans, a bunch of tank tops, some shirts, a light jacket, and just for good measure, even though this is "freestyle cruising," I have a feeling my mom may want us to go to a formal dinner, so I'll bring the nice dress she bought me and shoes to match. Other shoes would be my slippers, a pair of good sneakers, and my running shoes. I might as well keep up with this regime I'm trying to maintain, especially since I'm going to be living on this boat that will feed me all day without my having to fork over money. With the running shoes come running clothes; three changes should be good to have without having to wash for the week, and they don't take up much space, but they will take up space.

Since I am bringing a formal, I should bring some makeup. Makeup aside, I should make sure I have the proper toiletries with me, such as sunblock, lotion, deodorant, razor, etc. maybe the whole Caboodle (spell check doesn't have okay, but Caboodle's a green light? Really, what?).

And then there's documentation. I can take my camera with its sorry excuse for a battery, it's better than nothing. It can last for most of a day, I just have to be film camera frugal with it to make sure I don't overdo it. I'd want to take film shots too, but would that mean I should take the LC-A? How about the SLR? I'd LOOOOOVE to take the Seagull with me, but that's a tad bulky, but how about the Fisheye?!?! There would be great shots to be had with that one...and how to decide? I can't take them all...though I did promise myself a 3 camera limit for each trip, as excessive that actually sounds...maybe the SLR, Fisheye and uh...?

And there's communication. Cell phones work in Hawaii! Maybe not while traveling, but it's definitely a take with me (especially since I want to try meeting up with Joy after the cruise). I'll take the Sansa with me, because that would be handy. But what if I want to change my playlist with my ever changing mood? How about all the pictures I take? How about keeping track of my running progress and my general blogging the whole experience?!? And then I find out the boat has free WiFi in certain places for FREE! Does it mean laptop is coming? OH YES, and the sister agrees! If there's WiFi, I can take the DS and...

Okay! Maybe not the DS! Unless I had Animal Crossing and Joy and I wanted to be friends...

WAIT! I'm only going for a week! But man, do you know how comfortable and fun it is to be going from place to place without having to pack? It's like the opposite of backpacking! It's the best thing in the world! OH MAN! Maybe I should use my backpack!

My sister thinks it's funny I'm already thinking about what to pack for this trip (my mom is too, apparently), even though it's two weeks away. I have to mentally prepare, that's all. It's not like I'm going to pack any of that stuff anytime soon; as that would probably happen the night before, much to my dad's dismay I'm sure...