Six Things to Stock Up On Before Moving to the Middle East

The thing about moving overseas is: You never really know what you'll miss until you get over there. This time around, I've wised up. I'm bringing:

1. Neutrogena's benzoyl peroxide face cleanser/mask (or whatever): Because you will probably not find your exact product--the one that took you six years to find and fall in love with--over there. If you need benzoyl peroxide the way boy bands need teenaged girl fans, you better bring a few tubes with you.

2. All-natural peanut butter: In Saudi, people prefer processed products (I can envision that phrase slapped on a billboard downtown--probably with a picture of a turbaned man happily pumping hydrogenated vegetable oils into Skippy jars.) One of our suitcases currently holds about 8 pounds of the natural stuff. That's right: I've devoted 8 percent of our weight allowance to mashed peanuts.

3. Condoms: Let's just say: If you want condoms in the Middle East, you will need a prescription. And then you will only receive six at a time. And those six will be banana-flavored.

4. Deodorant: Because it is dang expensive there, leading me to believe most people still rely primarily on cologne, not Secret. I refuse to "go local" in this regard.

5. Journals: Yes, of course you can buy them over there, but they open (dur) from right to left. For some reason, I find my creative processes hindered if I feel backward before I begin.

6. Women's workout clothing: Finding breathable women's pants and a good sports bra in the Middle East is, in my experience, about as easy as finding pork in Saudi Arabia. You have three options: Wear jeans, buy men's workout clothes, or bring a bunch with you. I've done two out of three.