Toiletries, Etc

Last Thursday I looked up the Financial Aid staff directory and called the Director's line, explaining my situation to him. He was very concerned and redirected me to another administrator within the office who oversees the financial aid of persons studying abroad. He was quite understandably defensive of his department and it took a deal of explaining and re-explaining before he noticed that many of the numbers on my account were incorrect. However, he told me that he would personally finish up my financial aid. I was then sent back to the Director's line so that he could make sure I had been satisfied. I checked my account a while later that day and was alarmed to see that while the numbers had been changed, they were nothing like what we had discussed they ought to be. I called him again and he pulled up my account and the memos attached to it. Apparently, the financial aid advisor with whom I had been having so much trouble went into my account after the administrator and changed the numbers around again! The administrator apologized and put the numbers back to right--on his screen. I checked that account again today (Sunday) and they are still not correct. I was told that ISIS sometimes messes up the numbers when they aren't split equally between the two semesters but that the correct amounts still exist in the financial aid department's system. I don't know about you, but after this rollercoaster I'd prefer to see the numbers for myself. So, I'll probably call about it tomorrow.
Dad and I go to Chicago on Tuesday! I have everything I need for my visa but Dad and I agree that I ought to make about 6 copies of everything. Overkill, perhaps, but I'd rather be prepared than have to get out of line at the consulate's for a stupid extra copy of something.
I've started considering toiletries and appliances for my trip. I figure I'll purchase an iron, desk lamp, and alarm clock over there. I bid on and won a dual voltage hair dryer on ebay as well as a Mary Kay make-up mirror that runs on batteries. In looking up dual voltage curler sets, I came across a product that looked exactly like one I already had. And indeed, after locating the set, I turned it over to find the voltage switch! So, I need adaptors for the hairdyer and curlers, which RadioShack carries for around $3 each. I've also located a very nice adaptor/surge protector for my laptop on Magellan's travel website which I have yet to purchase for $50.
I wrote to my last Italian professor about what sort of Italian toiletry brands she might recommend and mentioned my plan to send make-up, deodorant, and some cleansers over so as not to irritate my skin. She told me that most American things can be found there in a farmacia or in a perfumeria and that I can always ask for a recommendation from the clerk. She also suggested I send her a list of the products I use so that she'll better be able to advise me, which I plan to do right now. I think I'll also inquire as to price comparisons.