Packing. AAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

You always know it's coming. As much as you look forward to a holiday, it's always lurking at the back of your mind...and as the Big Date approaches, it begins looming over your shoulder, waiting to pounce....and this year, a full fortnight before we fly, it began.....

"Bex, have you packed *insert completely pointless object here*?"

This phrase literally haunts my nightmares.

Just to be clear, my mum and I get on really well -- generally speaking, I'm of the belief that she's the best mum in the world. But there are exceptions to every rule. And, in my house, packing is one of them - one of the only things that will inevitably result in a blazing row between myself and my mum. And I don't think I'm generally being unreasonable about this; but see for yourself. This is a genuine conversation/argument my mother and I had earlier: -

My mum: Bex, have you packed your black shoes?
Me: No, I'm wearing those on the plane. I've packed my trainers.
My mum: Well, you can't do that.
Me:...because...?
My mum: Well they're far too big. They won't fit in the case.
Me *through gritted teeth*: They're already in the case.
My mum: *pause* Well they won't fit after you've packed you're 74 zillion t-shirts and thousands of unnecessary pairs of pants. And have you considered packing a gas mask? You know, just in case the world explodes whilst we're away...

Okay, so maybe I edited the ending slightly, but you get the gist. And it wasn't helped that when I got home from school today I was in a foul mood, owing to the long list of things that needed doing tonight. However, I was barely five minutes into task #1: finish English Language coursework, when the past week's worth of post arrived (this being due to the snow and a bloody lazy postman). At first this worsened my mood (there were two book rejections with my name on them smirking up at me from a pile of birthday cards for my brother), though when I discovered that the two CDs I'd ordered from DFTBA had arrived, my whole day perked up considerably. That was a pointless little anecdote, but it's the soundtrack to which I'm writing this, so I thought I'd add it. :)

Anyway. Packing. It is the devil incarnate. Though actually, I think I'm more or less done now - I fended off the miniature sewing kit and two-metre length of string (I'm not kidding), and have a bag that is pleasantly three-quarters-filled with books, toiletries and clothes. And it has all been packed under strict instruction, within plenty of time, and with only about six arguments. Possibly a new record.

And though I am UNBELIEVABLY excited about tomorrow, it has also just occurred to me that next summer I'm going to have to pack up my entire bedroom to go to university. FML.