So much to do, so little time!

Well the month long count down is on! This is what I need to do by June 20th (in no particular order):


- Put together my thesis presentation.


- Present my thesis presentation (hopefully on June 2nd!)


- Give away most of my clothes to charity (especially since my Mom will insist on going shopping with me; In her opinion I lack a sense of style). 


- Figure out what my sister and friends want to keep from my apartment, and sell/give away the rest of my stuff.


- Make sure the Veterinarian knows that my sister will be watching my dog. Also make sure that my sister has the Vets phone number and knows where the animal clinic is located. 


- Make sure to meet with my friends in Miami and hang out before I leave.


- Contact the bank and tell them that I will be traveling overseas for a while. 


- Buy a couple cute dresses, skirts, and shirts for Portugal. Also need new flip flops.


- Help my sister move into her new place.


- Pack my books and find a place to store them (most likely my sister will hold on to them).


- Actually book my flight to Portugal from Boston, and a flight from Miami to Boston.


- Contact all my family and friends in Boston and let them know that I will be heading back there before going overseas. Schedule to meet and catch up. 


- Super duper clean my apartment before the walk-through so I can hopefully get my security deposit back (which probably won't happen since my 2 year old Chocolate Labrador has done quite a number on the carpet).


- Figure out which books to bring and which to buy so I can read on the flights and in Portugal.


- Buy a couple new bathing suits.


- Contact friends in Portugal and let them know when I arrive.


- Get magazines for Mom (she definitely misses 'Good Housekeeping').


- Eat all the Jamaican, Haitian, Mexican, and American food that I can because once I go overseas it won't be as available to me (if at all). 


- Give the University my Mom's address so they can mail me my diploma.


- Make some extra money working for a week at the University Center. 


- Make sure I have enough money to travel with and work out finances for while I am away.


- Continue to look up marine science workshops and conferences so I can contact the people in charge once I get in Portugal and see if I can attend.


- Have a nice tan going before I leave. Also enjoy Florida as much as possible before leaving it.


The reason all this needs to be done in less than a month is because around June 20th I am heading to Boston. Once there I will visit with family and friends, and go to the Portuguese consulate to work on my dual citizenship. By July 10th I plan on being on my way to Portugal - paperwork done, luggage packed, goodbyes and see-you-later's told, and happy face set in place. 


This is my personal checklist. If you want to travel or move overseas I'd recommend beginning to plan about 3 months in advance. Make sure you contact the bank and tell them that you want to travel, where, and when. Find out what the requirements are for the countries that you want to travel to, and contact the consulate. Get all your paperwork in order: passport, visas, etc.


Make sure your school work is completely finished and everything is signed off by the university. The last thing you want to happen is for the University to e-mail you saying that there is something else you need to do. Either have your mail sent to someone you trust, or have someone you trust stop by your home once a week to get your mail while you are gone. 


Get your itinerary in order and make the associated travel plans: hotels, car rentals, train passes, or get someone to pick you up from the airport. Make sure there is someone (family or friend) who knows where you are going, when you are going there, how long you plan on being there, and where you will be staying. 


Anyway, let the adventure begin!