What We're Packing for China

 {But first, I thought I'd share a mini-tour of what's left in our home. We do have some furniture, still, as you see, only because it's heirloom or borrowed furniture--none of it belongs to us, but we are happily using it for the time being. Our suitcases are mostly packed at this point, so anything left in the house is just what we're living with up until the 22nd when we leave. By the way, I actually love living in a nearly empty house, it looks so clean all the time!}

Here's a relatively complete look at what's coming with us on our move overseas (since you are human like me, I assume you're curious):

Boring, practical clothes and shoes for work (slacks, button-ups, covered toe shoes--I can also wear dresses at work, hurray!)
Clothes and shoes that Rachel is too fond of to let go (i.e. red high heels, Bettie Page dress, etc.)
Clothes and shoes that Angel is too fond of to let go (i.e. basketball shoes, Mephisto shoes, his cardigan, etc.)
Angel's USA, Mexico, and China flags (Only the three most loved. South Korea, Brazil, and the rest of the collection didn't make the cut)
Our wedding clothes (2 reasons: Angel is supposed to have a suit to wear to formal school banquets, so he needed to bring his suit anyways. Plus, we have a tradition of wearing our wedding clothes again every year and I can't skip that in China! And my dress, unlike most wedding dresses, is very non-poofy and doesn't take up much room...it's almost like I was secretly planning on a vagabond's life...)
Chacos (sandals) for both of us
My Doc Martens (I hear it does get slightly chilly in ShenZhen in the winter...and I love my Docs and I've only had them for a year, so I want to keep using them as long as possible)
A miniature pewter nativity scene (first Christmas without any family? I at least wanted one little decoration from home)
2 Laptops
External hard drive
Angel's iPod touch
Camera/Camera battery charger
My haircutting scissors and comb
My jewelry and accessories
Angel's favorite prism
My little swiss army knife
Chinese/English dictionary
A few, very few, books...like 3
Light jackets for both of us
A stock of basic meds we might need (ibuprofen, allergy meds, stomach meds, etc.)
Notarized copies of important papers/ids/etc.
Potato Peeler
Can Opener
A few makeup/facial skincare products
Toms deodorant
Yes To... chapstick
A 31 brand tote someone gave us (we figure, lightweight and great for organizing since we don't expect to have much furniture)
Travel Boggle (to play on the airplane and whenever else we want to play)
My Fabric USA Map  (It's cute and it's made of fabric, it will take up hardly any room I promise)
Silverware (just 2 complete sets)
Angel's pewter cup
My Purse from the Red Buffalo Road
The extra HK dollars that we had from last time we were in the HK airport


And I think that's all that will fit. Actually, it might not all fit in the 2 suitcases, 2 carry ons, and 2 backpacks we're bringing (1 each per person). We are bringing a few little luxuries, as you saw, and both are a little more fond of our clothes and shoes than perhaps we should be. That's the reason I plan on wearing my Doc Martens, jeans, a tank top, a dress, AND my denim jacket on the airplane (in July, as you know). Either I'm trying to make a fashion statement of some sort or else I'm just trying to sneak a little extra clothing along with me. That's okay, I'm always really cold in airports and on airplanes anyways.

Now just ask me in a couple months what I wish we had packed but either forgot or didn't have enough room for...