7 days!!

I can't believe that I will be leaving home in exactly a week.  This is so surreal!  I have 7 days in New York...then I'm gone for 2 years.  I'm still, however, pushing my emotions aside in an effort to continue with my preparations.

I've started putting stuff aside and today I (finally) got my suitcases (a beautiful pink 3-piece luggage set)!  Now to fill them up.  Today I also tried to find a good gift for my host family.  Buying gifts for a host family is so hard for me to do!  I always over-think the process to the point of stress.  Right now I'm thinking of buying something that's both representative of New York and useful.  In my search, I got a few ideas, but I think an ideal gift would be something like

or a set that includes decorative plates, bowls, salt and pepper shakers, etc.  Clearly I'm thinking too hard, right?  I just don't want to bring something that would be seen as inconsiderate.    I'm still working that out, and will have it before the end of the 7 days.

Next thought of today had to do with my hair for the next 2 years.  I know I have those times when I just can't bother to deal with my hair.  But I know I won't be able to do that as a teacher.  So today I gave some time to the thought of buying a wig for those times.  The problem is that I've never worn a wig or a weave and don't know the first thing about purchasing one (in terms of quality and a 'look' that would fit me).  It would be super convenient to have one that I can pull on for those days when Zelda (my hair...yes she has a name) is just not having any of my foolishness.  But do I get curly or straight?  Lace front or regular? human hair or artificial?  What color?  Do I want something that is the same length as my hair or do I want something funky?  I have so many questions in this department.  And the questions don't even end at the wig.  How many products do I bring? And which ones?  Bless my soul with all these questions that decided to come for my last week!!

In further news though,  Tomorrow I will be getting my beloved long underwear (yaay for warmth...because Jesus knows I'm gonna need them).  After that, there is nothing left to do but start packing!  And that's when I'll know it's real.  Please keep me in your thoughts, guys, as I push through this last week!!