Stick to the Schedule

Here's how things will hopefully look:
August 10: Visit consulate in Chicago for visa
September 1: Move back to Chicago and spend some time with "the fam"
September 9: Leave from OHare
September 10: Arrive in Paris and take the train for Strasbourg
September 17/18: Leave Strasbourg and arrive in Toulouse
September 19-22: Stay at the "young workers" hostel in Tarbes while apartment shopping
September 23-26: Munich for Oktoberfest
September 27-30: Get settled into apartment in Tarbes
October 1: First day in the elementary school(s)!!!!!

I will be doing a lot of travel to/from Germany, Spain, England, and Italy to visit sights, sounds, and friends. I intend to buy a 12-25 card which, for 50 euro, will save me 40% on all my French railway purchases for an entire year. I also intend to get a Eurail pass for my more expensive trips: for $350.00 I can travel for 6 days in 3 countries... meaning that a trip which would normally cost about $110, will only run me about $60.
I am getting in contact with a few really nice girls who will also be living in the surrounding areas of Toulouse, one of whom will be in Toulouse proper (I will be spending weekends with her for fun in the city!), and another of whom will be in Tarbes (for the second time around, meaning she'll be able to coach me when I get a bit lost).
Its all very exciting!
I still have a few hurdles to bypass however: visa and job paperwork, saving and penny-pinching to make all I need for start-up costs, and packing a year into two suitcases! Oh! What to do with all my teaching and authentic materials!?!?