there's something very strange about shipping your luggage ahead of time via a postal carrier. since i lost my luggage a couple years ago on southwest i've always been a little aprehensive about checking luggage. i'd have to say that worrying about my luggage showing up on the arrivals carousel is almost as nerve-wracking as flying itself.

so, after pondering the process for awhile, i decided this was the option. not only was i packing in a tiny suitcase to begin with, but i had to figure out what to pack two weeks in advance for weather that's 2000 miles east of my normal 65 degree southern california "winter." challenge indeed.