Lists

Right now on our fridge sits a large poster paper detailing all the things that need to be done before we leave. The list grows longer by the day and a part of me worries about finding time to get everything done.

I came across a website online that broke down week to week of what should happen if you are planning an international move. Right now looks something like this:

• Organize, sort, sell, pack or throw out items that you will not be taking overseas.

We had a garage sale last weekend to sell most of our furniture and items we were not using or going to be needing for much longer. The house looks like a hurricane went through it a now we are sorting everything from inside out. It is a long arduous process. We need to have everything organized by June 10 as we have a Goodbye/Grad Party here on the 12.

• Give the house a good thorough cleaning so that when D moves out it isn't as tedious a chore.
  

• Take care of all the necessary paperwork (passports, banking, billing, cellphones, cars, etc.)
  

• Spend as much time with family and friends as possible before leaving. Get those family projects done and clean out room at the parents house.

• Purchase items needed for time away. Get packing materials together.
  

• Observe various teacher teaching to get ideas to bring to Togo.
  

This is a sample of the list. It looks quite short as all of it appears quite vague in reality it is taking up an entire poster board and then some. I love checking things off and will admit that if I do something for Togo that is not on the list I will add it to the list just so I can see another check mark and feel slightly more at ease.

Blogs and Books

Just finished reading a book called Letters from Togo even though it was written back in 1983-1984 reading it brought me back to Africa. I enjoyed the descriptions of life in Lome from the perspectives of an expat university professor from North America. The whole book can be found at this link below. I didn't find out if the author ever returned to Togo after 1991 as she passed away last year.
Letters from Togo

I have been reading quite a bit these days trying to glean as much information as I can on Lome and the rest of Togo. I have also been following a number of bloggers all around Togo. Some are working with missions organizations, others are working for NGO's, a few from the peace corp and several international teachers. I was talking with D about having a blog party once we get to Togo. The party would sort of be a thank you for those people out there who blog about daily life and living that I can read up on before I get there.

Lome, Togo

Here are two maps to help answer the questions where on earth is Togo and what city are you moving to again?

The purple rectangle outline where Togo is located on the African continent. The red star shows you what city we will be residing in during out time in Togo.

And the answer is...

Yes!

We accepted the position in Lome, Togo. I just signed the paperwork on Thursday. Did you know that there is only 104 days before I need to be on the ground in Lome, Togo? That is very soon. Just over 3 months to completely pack up life, get paperwork in order, visit with people, observe other teachers teach, have a garage sale, say goodbye etc. Crazy!

What I don't get done D will be able to finish as he will be staying until the beginning of October to wrap up things with work.

Togo here we come!