Packing Completed!!!

After packing, repacking, acquiring more things, removing some, repeat a couple of times... it's FINISHED!!!

So a question I've gotten from a fair number of people "How do you go about packing for 2 years?" It's actually fairly easy in the capacity that there are suggested packing lists the Peace Corps provides specific for each country (compiled from Returned Peace Corps Volunteers). I took the list decided what applied to me and then went about figuring what I had and what I needed to acquire (acquired a fair bit... but think that process was bound to happen regardless as many of my clothes are worn out and developing holes).

The packing requirements to follow:
2 checked pieces of luggage- bringing my small and large backpacking bags
combined dimensions not to exceed 107" - measures in at 104" just made it!
total weight not exceeding 80 pounds - just weighed in at 71.5 pounds

Here's a before picture of all my potential things...

And what is all that on my bed you might ask? Here's my list:

Education materials: 
- 2 maps of the World
- Travel size dictionary
(Wanted to bring a chalkboard but it got nixed because despite what you think doesn't fit the best in a backpacking bag...)

Clothing: 
- Raincoat
- Fleece windproof jacket
- 4 long sleeves
- down vest
- 4 t-shirts
- 10 pairs of outdoor underwear
- spandex shorts
- 2 pairs of leggings (one 3/4, one full length)
- 10 pairs of wool socks (mostly lightweight running variety)
- bathing suit
- 10 bras (sports and regular)
- 2 tank top sports bras
- 4 tank tops
- fleece pants
- light weight louning pants
- 5 pairs of shorts
- 3 pairs of pants
Dress Clothes: (for wearing in the schools)
- 5 button up shirts
- 4 skirts
- 1 nice dress for special occasions

Shoes: 
- 2 pairs of chacos (green striped ones and black ones)
- Nice sandal (patagonia strapy ones)
- Running Shoes
- Hiking boots (wearing on plane)

Toiletries: 
4 toothpastes
4 toothbrushes
2 floss
Razor and extra blades
Q-tips
Hair ties
Solid shampoo and conditioner
Solid face wash
Soap 
4 deodorants
2 pairs of glasses
Contacts
Chapstick
Cosmetics
Jewelry (couple of necklaces, change of earrings)
Nail Polish

Other Camping Goods: 
- Spices
- NOLS cookbook
- Ice plastic bags (ones we use for Outdoor Adventure trips)
- 1 box of shot blocks (for low electrolyte time)
- Headlamp (+old headlamp with broken attachment point for spare parts)
- Sleeping pad (ridgerest)
- 2 nalgenes
- Camelbak
- Bivy sack
- Hammock
- Bandannas and buff
- UV light and solar charger case
- Camping stove
- Benchmade knife
- Rain covers for packs
- 2 dry bags
- Duct tape
- 2 lock and seal containers
- Titanium cookset
- Compass
- Flint stick, lighter, and matches
- 2 small wildmed books
- Where There is No Doctor book
- SAMS splint
- potentially some meds?

Miscellaneous:
- Ipod (luxury item)
- Mini speakers
- Sunglasses and case
- Camera
- Extra camera batteries and memory card
- Solar panel 
- Travel alarm clock
- Money belt
- Journal (and two waterproof journals)
- 2 books: Art and the Zen of Motorcycle Maintenance and On the Road
- Small sewing kit
- Pictures of family, friends, favorite places
- 2 Belts
- Book of U.S. stamps (to send letters with people returning to the states)
- Netbook laptop

Recreational: 
- Light up Frisbee (friend making ploy in my village)
- Soccer ball and pump  
- Cards

K.. when write it all out - seems like a lot... but hey it all fits into the packs and fits the requirements. Check it out!

The next two years of my life - possession wise - you're looking at it :) Life simplification.