How to fit 5 months in one suitcase

So, this is clearly not a how-to guide. Because they're generally written by people who have an idea with what they want to bring/ what they need to bring/ what they're planning on doing over the next 5 months. But I needed a catchy title that would really hook you in on this action. And look! You're still reading!

I think today I finished everything I needed to to prep for Dublin. I contacted my bank (after they froze my account yesterday for paying my housing bill), and found a 3rd or 4th representative who told me that since Ireland was in the UK, I have automatic access without withdrawal fees... Maybe it's just an East TN thing, I don't know. But my Irish friends have reprimanded me multiple times for DARING TO THINK IRELAND BELONGS TO THE UK. So, I use it as a learning moment to teach these people that Northern Ireland, and Ireland are in fact separate.

Paperwork is all done. Boarding pass printed out. Bus pass to UCD is purchased. I think I managed to get everything. I have no clue who the other 5 people in my flat are going to be. And I'm fairly certain I won't be finding out until I'm knocking at their door. As a good ambassador of TN, I'm trying to narrow down things to bring that would seem pretty stereotypical southeast. After eliminating a few objects on the basis of practicality (an elvis costume, moonshine, and a football team), I think I might just stick with some country music on the computer. Maybe a book about Oak Ridge's atomic past. We'll see. In talking to a friend recently, we discussed the parts of TN we always bring up in conversation to show our state pride.

1. Basil Marceaux's nomination video 
2. The Scopes Monkey Trial
3. They Hung an Elephant here- This is actually a town I ended up at on the AT. I'd fully believe it.

....I think I'm just going to tell people I'm from NC. Much much safer.

I also failed to learn how to cook while home, so that's going to be a trial by fire scenario when I arrive in Dublin. H'oh boy. If I weigh 90 pounds the next time you see me, you know why.

T-minus 97 hours until take-off!