This time I'm determined to travel (relatively) light. I'm only allowed 20 kgs of checked-in baggage. Trust me, that's not much. My bags are always, and I mean always over the limit. Naturally I thought packing would be a challenge but I compiled all my things and sorted them out one by one. I knew I had to leave the majority of my things behind. At first I was all, "Ohhh noo!! I can't leave my babies behind!!!" (yes, I refer to my clothes, shoes, handbags, jewellery, accessories and make up as my babies) But my packing's 90% done. I did it! Yay!
While packing I had to go through my jewellery and select the pieces I wanted to leave behind because there was no way I could bring back the entire content of my jewellery box and not exceed the baggage limit. As I was doing so I realised how sentimental I am. I had never considered myself as a sentimental person but with every piece of trinket I could remember the people who had gifted them to me, whom I was with when I wore them and how I felt at the time. They brought back so many memories. Good memories. My past is a significant part of who I am and I find it hard letting go of everything that reminds me of it.
Fashion means so much more to me than pretty clothes, flattering high heels and looking glamourous. It's in my blood, my history and my future. Fashion is not a just a way for me to adorn myself but also to express my identity, values and beliefs. When I wear one of my Mum's vintage dresses and kebayas I am showing my admiration for a woman and mother who is kind, compassionate, intelligent and hard working. When I wear the first ever pearl necklace I ever owned I remember the person who gave to me as a gift and how happy I felt that someone had thought of me while they were away. When I wear a certain gold ring I remember how overjoyed I felt when I received my first hard-earned paycheck and could buy the things I wanted without having to justify it to anyone. It's like a rush of memories come to fill me up with emotions every time I pick up a piece of clothing, jewellery or fashion accessory. To me the value of the things I own don't lie in the actual cost of the items but in the memories and feelings I associate them with.
With that I'd like to officially proclaim to the world that I am a sappy, sentimental person who prefers to run away from people or face the world with a big smile when she's actually really trying to hide the sadness she feels and that one persistent little tear that's trying to make its way out.
Au revoir Malaysia. Until we meet again, my love.