When you move to the other side of the planet dont forget your chocolate

Aunt Cindy told me, "when you move to Poland take a bag of treats with you for when you get homesick." I thought she was a food addict for saying that. Then I moved to Poland and realized that she was an experienced ex-pat. Bless her. are Food items that are commonly used in my baking/meal preparation are not necessarily available in all countries on earth. Some of these: vanilla lawrys season salt cream of tarter brown sugar chocolate chips italian seasons ranch dressing taco mix celantro make up and haircare items are not necessarily as good a quality or available in Poland. take make up from the states. shampoo and conditioner hairspray certain hair accessories are not easily accessable in Poland and it is NOT a good idea to bring them because the plugs do not easily transfer. I took my hairdryer, chi, curl irons, etc and found that they don't really work there even with expensive amplifiers and outlet converters. Just package them up and leave them home. Just plan on finding what is available when you get there. Plan on spending the money for new. Plug outlets are not the same in Poland as they are in the U.S. They are even different in England than they are in Poland and the U.S. And in Korea, they are different still. Just because you have an outlet converter it dosnt mean that you can plug in your mechanism without possible and frequent problems. We blew up a many things by not checking the amps... or even checking the amps and it still blew up. Computers seem to be universal but be certain to ALWAYS check the amps. Better yet, just buy new with the correct plugs whey you get there. vitamins: All vitamins are not universal. You can not find all vitamins in Poland and typically when you can find them they aren't as potenet anyway. Take vitamins with you from the U.S. List of essentials to take: multi vit vit C Vit D (especially for the lack of winter light in northern skies) medications to take for the same reasons: advil, ibuprofen, tylenol, asprin. whatever. cold medications antibiotic ointment caugh expectorant allergy medications Moving is stressful by nature. Moving with children is stressful plus difficult times 4 trillion. There are things that will make it easier. Many of them have to do with creating a "home like" environment within your very own 4 walls in an expedited manner. Sounds crazy... but don't forget these things: family pictures (grandparents, cousins, family, and even friends) church like pictures and sayings (temple, first presidency, Jesus) This is a good start. It is essential to quickly make house a home. Don't miss or skip a single: family home evening church (be there the very 1st Sunday of the move) scripture study family prayer in the first month of move ENROLL: find music teachers find schools find sports leagues invite families with kids age to dinner find somebody with great hair at church and get a cosmotologist referral! SCHOOL is a big deal! Get info about school before moving! certain immunizations are good to have prior to moving to other countries. Mission president can usually tell you which ones to get.