Live from Japan!

In a short 12 days we will be leaving Chicago. Wait a second, let that sink in.

Ok, now we can continue. 12 more days means that packing has officially commenced. But more than packing up our stuff to store, as we’ve been doing for the past few weeks, today we packed the first bag of stuff that will be going with us to Japan. And here it is:

Wow. What a lame photo. Look at my duffle bag. It is filled with my crap. Anyways. . .

Moving to Japan definitely poses a packing challenge of sorts. With the airline restrictions we are allowed two suitcases each (50 lbs), a carry-on (we’re taking our daypacks), and a personal bag (purse and man-purse). Shipping items is an option, but since USPS did away with sea freight, it is really really expensive.

Therefore, I have been trying to think minimalist thoughts. I have tried to really evaluate the importance of each item in my luggage. We have gotten rid of a lot of stuff, as is evidenced by a porch filled with items to be given away and the full dumpster at the back of our house. I also figure that if we forget something, we can always visit a store there and buy it. Our prefecture even has an outlet mall, complete with a wide variety of American stores including a Tommy Hillfiger, Gap, and Crocs outlet.

It has actually been quite frustrating to listen to all the discussions on the JET mailing list that we belong to. Individuals on that list have been talking and discussing the vast quantities of crap that they are bringing with them. Guitars and desktop computers, entire shoe collections and huge wardrobes. People are going to be spending hundreds of dollars to ship their crap over there, only to spend hundreds of dollars in another year or two to ship it back. I’m simply not interested in all that nonsense. I will bring what I need. I will wear the same clothes over and over. I will have to do laundry weekly instead of every two or three weeks like I do here. And I’m okay with that. I’m excited about it actually. I think, in the end, it will help me to really think and reflect on all the junk I’ve been holding on to and carrying around in my life, and whether or not it is really necessary.