Things you Don't Need

Hey all So I figured most people start reading these looking for omg whats it going to be like, and what to pack. So this is post on stuff that you don't really need, and things that are nice to have, and things that you can buy down here.
UPDATE: This is from 2011, so I never had to deal with bunk beds, 3 people in one room etc. So take this all with a grain of salt because of space etc.
Things you Don't Realy Need
1. Desk Lamp
      I've only ever used mine when I don't want to have to get up and turn off the light after getting in bed.
2. A ton of shoes
      Nice shoes( heels and flats) boots  flip flops and sneakers. thats all you need really.
3. Clothes
     This is iffy one. I brought a lot of clothes because I'll be here for 7 months.  The summer has been really hot so I ended up buying shorts and capris and really thin tshirts. I live these now, mostly. And Pjs. My jeans I will probably end up wearing more in Winter. But If you can have someone mail these things down for cheap, or if you have family coming to visit I would advise doing that instead. Maybe bring one pair for going out to eat, where the AC will be cranked up.
4. Hair Product
   Honestly its so hot, and humid that your hair will never look nice really. You sweat alot, and the even anti frizz stuff never works. If you dont have extra space leave it.
5. Lunchbox
  This I would wait on. My work location has a fridge,so I just bring my lunch in a plastic bag.That being said some locations don't.Also there is the Caf. so you can get by a couple days till you figure out if you need one.

Nice to Have

1. Plastic Drawers Organizer thigns
   I really wish I had bought this right away. Everything from all the junk you have, to clothes (as my roomie does) They work great as a nightstand or at the end  of the bed too.
2. Bed Risers
   If you want to put pretty much anything under your bed like a milk crate, you need these.
3. Brita Filters
  The water down here is disgusting. bottle water is the best but also expensive and wasteful
4. Extra  Phone Cords
    CP housing, and pretty much any place you work will have terrible reception. This kills your battery. An extra charger( or external battery pack) will work great if your job has a place to plug it into
5. Pillows
    I brought 3 pillows down and ended up buying an extra because the bed is against a wall and it hurts like crazy when you jam your knee into it. Also grab an egg crate mattress pad. I have a cheap one and it works great so far, although it moves around alot.

Things to Buy Down Here


1. Curtains and Rods
  Read carefully. Buy a shower hanger rod that just presses against the walls. This will allow you to put it in your window and hang a curtain without PM going nuts. Also buy a blackout curtain. Every single room has lights that shine in at all hours of the night and day. Also extra Rods are useful to hang Bras, extra clothes etc to dry
2. Bath Mats
   These are good for both the bath and to cover the unpleasant carpet.
3. Laundry Hamper
     Laundry facilities are pretty far away and your clothes will easily become both too heavy and too wrinkled if you use a bag. Get one that Rolls, or has a back pack strap.
4. Over the Door Hooks
  PM doesn't get you put anything sticky on the walls (like command hooks) so over the door hooks are great for robes, bags, hoodies, and towels. The towel rack in the bathroom is only big enough for one towel to dry on.


Okay there is some stuff. As I think of more I'll either add to this or make a new post.

Packing List!

 In honor of the fact that I am down to just 40 days. I decided that I would go ahead and post the packing list I've complied. I've taken a lot of stuff from various lists I've encountered, as well as add my own stuff(hence the weird amount of detail in some stuff). Right now its about seven pages long, and bound to be longer when I add some more personal details to it. As for stuff I'm bringing, own, and planning to buy there*, this list is lacking a really those details. My Packing tips and reasons post (To come later) will be supper detailed on what I'm bringing, owning, and buying. I figured this would be good for anyone that is looking for stuff to copy and past onto their own packing list. (Also the formatting sucks here...)

Bedroom
For the Bed
Bedding (TWIN)
Comforter
Sheets
Pillow Cases
2 normal, 1 body
Extra Blanket
Fan
Desk Lamp
Pictures
tacky stuff
Clothing
Pants
Jeans
Business pants
capris
Skirts
1 nice, 1 cute
Shirts
At least 3 ‘nice’
Vest
PJs
Hoddie
Disney hoodie
junkie hoodie
Cardigan
Shoes
converse, flip flops, slippers
boots -brown and black
Beach stuff
swim suit, beach towel.
HANGERS
White Board Calendar + markers
garbage can+liners
Full Length Mirror
Laundry
Laundry basket
laundry bag (OWN)
Soap*
Wash Helpers
color grabber sheets
Kitchen
Masking Tape/Post-its+Shapries
Trash Bags*
Paper Towels/Napkins*
Cloth towels/ scrubbies*
Swiffer (OWN)


Cleaning Supples *
Febreeze
Lysol
Toilet bowl cleaner
Windex
Dish Soap
Electronics
Laptop
Power cord
Cover
USBs
Printer&cables
Digital Camera
Power cord
travel power cord
extra batteries 2
memory cards
SD card reader
Extension cord/Surge protector
Cell Phone
Charger
iPod
charger
case
covers
Alarm Clock
GPS
Charger, holder, case

Misc.
Leisure
Book~
DVDs
Firefly
Beauty and the Beast
Star Trek
Tissues
Envelopes/Stamps (OWN)
Stationary (OWN)
Rubber bands/staples/paper clips/pencils/pens/pencil sharpener/post-it notes/push pins/hole punch
TAPE
scotch, duct, electrical, masking
Notebook
Post-its
BAG
Carry-all Bag
Purse
1Nice and 1small
Mini-tool set
Flash Light (OWN)
Few extra dishes
plates, silverware, cups,
Water bottles
Combination Lock
First Aid Kit (Own)
Neosporin(Triple Antibiotic)
Band-aids
Cough Drops
Sun-burn cream
MEDS
Tylenol
Ibuprofen
allergy
Sun Tan Lotion
Misc Cont.
Sunglasses (2 pair)
Travel Mug
Paperwork
Driver’s License
SS Card
Insurance (proof of me!)
Car
registration
Health
Boarding Paperwork

Bathroom
Shower curtain (roommate check!)
Floor mat (RC!)
Shower caddy
Shampoo/Conditioner/Soap, Hair stuff
Cosmetic Bag + makeup
Towels
Face
Bath
Wash Clothes
Toothbrush, etc
Deodorant
Razors
Perfume
Lotion
Medicine
Hair Brush
ties, pins, clips, headbands
Straightener/Dryer/Curler
Robe
Out of Bath robe
Lounging robe
Female things
Nail brush


Packing Prep

So I think I have finalized my packing list. So far its double column on 4 pages. -.- I am holding onto the hope that the four pages are mostly my own OCD in listing everything under every category and everything that goes with it.  Since I have a bunch of stuff to buy as well as stuff I own I figured I would make two posts. One with just the list, another with suggestions for things and tips on packing.