Packing

I don't know how many of you remember the last month before I left for Hungary, but in case you missed it, it was filled with things like:
Goodwill trips, Freecycle giveaways, Craigslist sales, trips of stuff to my parents' house, and the slow process of weeding out stuff that I needed and stuff I didn't need... and packing into boxes for storage and suitcases for the year.

Well, friends, I am happy to announce that the process has begun again.
This last week, I set my boots outside, office supplies and some other random things down by the trash cans. Basically, it's acceptable here to put things you don't want by the trash. Anyone in the building picks through it (Kristy and I even went dumpster diving when someone was getting rid of a bunch of vintage clothing in May!). Then, when the trash is pulled out to the street, it's pulled too and the night routes (homeless or really poor people) pick through it before the trucks dispose of it. There aren't any Goodwills here and I just haven't the time and energy to go to the shelters and explain that there are some donations. It's easier to just put it out and let someone pick it up.
Also, I set down there a bunch of money that I've picked up throughout the year. Polish zlotys and British pounds (idk how I got these actually) that don't add up to any grand amount, but the change places don't accept coins... so, what am I going to do with them. With any luck, by the time I would ever go back to those places, they will be on the Euro or, to be honest, I probably won't go back to Poland... and it's silly to transport money. So, maybe somebody in the building is going to one of these places and could use it. Both of my roommates even got 10 Euro cents because Germany and Italy are both on the Euro (€).

I have also started packing. My GIANT suitcase is almost full. Throw in a few more clothes and it'll be ready to weigh. I'm hoping that the group from Ohio is bringing some suitcases that they won't want to take back and I'll be able to gank one of them to get the rest of my stuff home. I'm still faced with the issue about the saxophone, but I decided that I'm just going to wait and see.



What does this mean? Well it means that I'm starting to also pack myself. Starting to figure out my life when I get back (where to live, where to work, school?, other commitments?). Starting to think about presentations at churches. Starting to figure out where the next path leads. Slowly but surely, I'm starting to transition back to my home. Not transitioning back to my "old life" because that would defeat the purpose of the entire year, but back to a place that will always be HOME home. Plus, so much has changed, I don't think life CAN go back to the way it was.
Anyway, in the midst of all this, I'm realizing that I still have a month HERE. I am still expected to work and there's the group from Ohio and the day camp at the church. It's been a little crazy planning these things, so it'll be nice once they start... but I also know that once the day camp starts, I will have NO time to myself. NONE. But I'm totally looking forward to it :)



PS - Seminar/retreat until the 27th (I'll be back on Sunday afternoon)