Packing Light

So my friend just moved all the way across the country and took all of her belongings in two suitcases and a backpack. She went by plane so each suitcase was under 50 pounds and her books were contained in a backpack or two.

CRAZY!

Deidra did the same thing when she moved from Oregon to Kansas and vice versa. Pared everything down to one or two huge bags and that’s it. Okay, on the way back to Oregon there were several large boxes shipped expensively with heavy books.

I admire this more than I can put into words.

I would never be able to do this. Darn attachment to material possessions. I’ll qualify: I think I could get most everything down to that size if I forsook my furniture and electronics. I just really like my stereo and wouldn’t want to buy another one if the one I have is perfectly good. Same with my mattress. Mattresses are expensive!

But at the same time I think about what I took to Morocco: One huge blue suitcase under 50 pounds and a small duffel. And I was perfectly okay for two months. I survived and didn’t even buy stuff to replace what I’d left behind. Like at all. Granted, I was living with a host family that had a bed for me and lent me a big fluffy towel since I was totally an airhead and that’s the one thing I forgot.

When Doug visited me last month he brought everything he needed in a backpack and a tennis bag. The boy is crazy.

I have been thinking almost obsessively about moving (packing, logistics, money, etc) in anticipation of December when I’m heading on back to the promised land (Kansas)! Thoughts? Best to pack/move light or to cart all your stuff so you don’t have to replace it when you get to your destination?

Morocco Photos

This isn’t news if you kept up with La Route Libre, but… I went to Morocco this summer. Anyway, today I’m entering a few of my pictures in a contest run by the study abroad company I went with, and did some minor photo editing (brightness, contrast, saturation) before sending them in (the form on the website wasn’t working but that’s a different story) so I figured I’d upload them here just for funsies. You’ve seen ’em before but these are the richer versions. I guess you could say I consider these the best photos of the trip? I have other favorites too of course.

Someday I’ll have a nice shiny expensive camera that takes pictures this rich with little to no post-editing :)

Morocco Submission 1 SL
I tried to take a discreet, candid photo and the man looked up as I snapped it.
Morocco Submission 2 SL
Taken at Medersa Ben Yoursef in Marrakech.
Morocco Submission 3 SL
In Morocco, it’s like cats outnumber people. Taken at the Chellah ruins; over 40 cats have free run of the place.

Chili Success!

My #1 goal with this recipe was to use up the leftover green peppers and onion I bought last week for fajitas. (Sidebar: it looks like I totally forgot to put in a picture of the fajitas! They were delicious!)

My #2 goal was to make chili delicious enough for me but mild enough for my oh-so-white parents. I think I struck a happy balance–even my mom approved!

Mmmmmm.....
Mmmmmm.....

Ingredients: tomatoes, green peppers, red onion, kidney beans, corn, garlic, ground beef, chili seasonings. If you want details of any of the meals I make don’t be afraid to ask in the comments section!!

Also, this made enough for like 8 people. So I have a ton leftover. If you live in the Temecula area, call me up and come on over to have a bowl with me :)