The art of packing

Everyone's been asking me how much I'm taking with me, so I figured I'd let you in on my packing secrets. I will admit, I didn't come up with my packing list alone. I scanned many a backpacker's list and learned from their experiences. Here goes:

1 large backpack
1 small backpack
1 small purse
1 money belt, water-proof thingy if I go in the water

2 pairs jeans
1 pair black pants
2 long-sleeve shirts
5 short-sleeve shirts
1 tank top
1 sarong
1 pair pajama bottoms
2 pajama tops
1 swimsuit
7 pairs underwear
7 pairs socks
4 bras
1 pair hiking shoes
1 pair flip-flops
1 pair black flats
1 scarf
1 fleece
1 rain jacket
1 hat
1 pair gloves
1 pair sunglasses

1 travel towel, 1 travel washcloth
1 travel sheet
1 pillow case for my dirties
1 first-aid kit, bug spray, toilet paper, water purification tablets (just in case), wetnaps, hand sanitizer
1 bottle Dr. Bronner's (it'll clean anything)
1 Tide pen for stains
medicines -- allergy, malaria, vitamins, sleeping pills, pain pills, antibiotics, etc.
1 small hairbrush, hair rubberbands, clips
1 compact hairdryer
1 bottle shampoo, 2 bottles conditioner
1 razor with refillable blades
1 tube toothpaste, 2 toothbrushes, dental floss
1 bottle face wash, small bottles of hand lotion, chapstick, small case of makeup, tampons, nail file, clippers

1 small water bottle
1 travel alarm clock
1 camera, memory sticks
1 mini-CD burner, mini-CDs
1 BlackBerry
chargers, extra batteries, plug adapters, flash memory stick
1 mp3 player

2 small flashlights, duct tape, earplugs, compass, sewing kit
2 padlocks, 1 bike lock
travel guides (or pages torn out of travel guides), phrasebooks
journal
pens, Sharpies
2 paperbacks
1 neck pillow

and of course:
tickets, passport, insurance card, dinero

Now here's the challenge: fitting it all into my backpack! That's the task for tomorrow. So I'll keep ya posted on how much of it gets to stay in St. Louis.