Bag-packing!

Oh! Summer is here, and we're about to see the end of it when the dark clouds that loomed over New Caledonia and north of Australia arrive Auckland from next week as forecast by the weather-guys at MetService.

Traveling is one of everybody's hobbies. I mean, who in their right mind will despise travelling and sight-seeing?! Personally, travels associate themselves with holiday--at least to me anyway. It doesn't matter if once I reached my destination, works are going to eat me alive.

I think the most juicy bit about traveling is the preparation for the journey itself. Packing your luggage and back-packs, that is. I think it's one of the most stressful stages of traveling. The top one is of course when you've not a dime in your pocket. Selecting clothes that are appropriate for the weathers, weight and space. Bundles of socks and undergarments. A mini first-aid kit (really it's just a combination of Iburofen and band-aids supplies). A damn good walking shoes. A torchlight. A toothbrush. A sunblock. And... A nice dress. Just in case a nice gentleman ask you out for dinner at a not-so-fancy restaurant.

So there, the essentials list out for me. Emphasis on the toothbrush, and I always force myself make a good, big notepad with 'TOOTHBRUSH?' written on it by my room door. I've about a dozen or so of used toothbrush that I accidentally collected as souvenirs from my travels, so there! Make it a point to pack a toothbrush!

I'm elated--in fact I've planned in my head my luggage contents for my trip to California. Soon! Of course, I'm there on work. But above all my mind already works its wonder on hiking around Yosemite Grand National Park--after the conferences of course. One of my favorite nature's photographers, Ansel Adam took a defining moment at one particular spot there--and I'm determine to walk a few days (if needed) to breath in the spectacles of Half Dome.

Here's the taste of Yosemite that I can't wait to go to (courtesy from Ansel Adam webpage photos).

A new year, a new you!

Wishlist:

To self.
1) A change of heart. A heart that is a bit wiser, a bit kinder, a litte braver too.
2) A change of habit. Take a deep breath before I say anything. Don't charge in. Don't rush through it.
3) Keep my mouth shut. Talk only when necessary. Argue only with facts.
4) Forget my past. Everything. Including my achievements. And start anew, from scratch, every day.

To friends.
1) Remind them that I think of them every now and then.
2) Let them know that my hand is in theirs. They can reach out for me regardless of their shortcomings and flaws and perfections too.
3) Apologize to them when I've said something out of place. No buts, no laters.

To home (where the heart is, NZ)
1) Our children and the weaks (including animals) are protected from abuse. Physically. Emotionally. Mentally.
2) Greener. Say no to plastic bags. Cycle, walk, hike, bus around. Recycle.

To home (where I pledged my loyalty, Malaysia)
1) Transparency. Ideally, in all areas. But if it proved to be too much of a hard job to accomplish, then the economy.
2) Greener. Say no to plastic bags. Cycle, walk, hike, bus around. Recycle.
3) Go an extra mile effort in dumping thrashes responsibly. Rivers, seas and forests are not the designated bins.
4) Release emotional baggage. Concede that the other party can also do and say the right things. Result orientated governance, not pure rhetorics.

Comments: Will again missed voting for the next GE @ M'sia. Make a difference. Vote to be heard.