it's done. i've paid for my non-refundable ticket with an open return date. it's off to vancouver i go. i'm not sure if it qualifies as moving, since i'm only packing for two months of clothes, books, notebooks, cleaning products and vitamins (yes i am aware these things are available at the gap and london drugs). two months all to myself to discover and think.

so far packing has proceeded smoothly. the most difficult part has been trying to decide how many pairs of shoes to bring. that's always an art for women on the go. has anyone written a book about how shoes shape and define one's personality and philosophy on life? (this has been tried and true; a man's shoes reveal a lot about him. you can do a whole character analysis based on examination of a guy's shoe cabinet alone). i've decided to ax anything toe-deforming, ie. anything pretty and posh. but still, it looks like this:

1) sneakers
2) runners
3) city short boots
4) long boots (bought them in italy for an obscene amount of euros. still trying to get my money's worth)
5) casual heels
6) flip flops (i'm not sure why. but if i were going on self-discovery trip in bali instead, this would be all i bring)

this is starting to sound like a good book idea. at least a decent size article. "shoes on the road: a girl's soleful journey through life." where can i find a job coming up with book titles???