Holy crap, it’s already December and Christmas is around 2 weeks away. I decided to buy Christmas gifts for myself.
I asked my Twitter followers if Amazon ships to Kota Kinabalu, and I get my reply immediately. Twitter works, really
This year I’ve spent close to RM1,000 on books and following gadgets: iMac, Dell laptop, iPod Touch and Blackberry 9700. I sold everything at Australia before moving back and re-purchase all the essentials. These gadgets will last at least 2-3 years.
My budget is tight, so there has to be solid reasons for purchasing these items.
Self-help books
The 4-Hour Body: An Uncommon Guide to Rapid Fat-Loss, Incredible Sex, and Becoming Superhuman
The same author who wrote “4 Hour Work Week”, Tim Ferries, is publishing another book that’s going to shake the world (again). His previous book is about how he transformed earning $8k per year to $80k per month by working 4 hour per week. No, this is not a book about teaching you how to earn $80k, but rather applying unconventional ways to achieve more and liberate your time. I like how Tim uses himself as case studies.
I’ve read 4 Hour Workweek twice (first edition and updated edition), and I was truly amazed.
In this new book, “The 4 Hour Body“, Tim has done several experiments on himself — e.g. How to sleep 2 hours a day, how to stop breathing for 5 minutes, how to perform better sex. Definitely another eye-opening book that I must own, though I can skip the “how to perform better sex” chapter cause I’m already too good at it… hahahaha.
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Vagabonding is about taking time off from your normal life—from six weeks to four months to two years—to discover and experience the world on your own terms.
Vagabonding: An Uncommon Guide to the Art of Long-Term World Travel
The book gives the necessary information on:
• financing your travel time
• determining your destination
• adjusting to life on the road
• working and volunteering overseas
• handling travel adversity
• re-assimilating back into ordinary life
I am planning on doing some short-term travel on my own in 2011. This is a book that I must read.
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The underlying message of Chris Guillebeau’s book, based on his popular blog, is that “You don’t have to live your life the way other people expect you to.” I’ve been following Chris for a year now, in my heart, he is another “god”. Whatever he says, I listen.
The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World
Travel Gears
As my travel frequent has increased lately (expecting more travels in 2011), I am learning how to pack light. These are the essential items that I find incredibly useful.

This MSR Packtowl Personal towel absorbs 10 times its’ own weight and it is super absorbent. You can dry this tower by twisting it and it’ll dry in an hour.
According to many of backpackers and light travelers, this towel is damnnnnnnnnnn useful. Towel usually takes up most of my luggage so I foresee this as a good investment.
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I always had trouble looking for places to hang my wet towels while travel. Rick Steves Clothesline
definitely comes handy, it’s super light and elastic. Especially useful if I were to do my laundry in my room (I’ll teach you guys later, then you have to call me sifu)
You can use it to suicide if you want too, yes it is that durable.
Disclaimer: I don’t held any responsibility upon your death.
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Why I need this Aloklok ziplock bag? Besides protecting my passport and phone/camera from getting wet, I can also fill this ziplock bag with air as a pillow.
Also, this ziplock bag can bring into 200ft underwater (you’ll never know when tsunami strikes right?)
If I put my mobile in this ziplock bag, maybe I can talk on phone while swimming, who knows?
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Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soap is very famous among light travelers and backpackers. This item is so godly, you can use it to brush teeth, shampoo, body wash, wash your cloth, total 18 uses. Best of all, it’s 100% organic.
Product features:
- All Natural Organic Certified Ingredients; Bio-Degradable;Packaged In 100% Post Consumer Recycled Bottles; No Animal Testing And Cruelty Free
- Top Selling Natural Soap In The USA
- Cleans Body; Floors; Bathrooms; Counters; Walls; Dishes; Pets; Fruits & Vegetables; Great For Shaving
- Mild And Gentle For Babys; Sensitive Skin; Chemically Sensitive People
- Great For Camping; Backpacking; Traveling
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Exofficio Men’s – Give n Go Boxer Underwear
“17 Countries. 6 Weeks. And One Pair of Underwear”
That’s the official tag line for this underwear. I prefer at least 3 la of course. A product that’s highly recommended by light travelers too. These underwear dries in hours and it’s very comfortable.
I will do a full video review of this product while wearing it — if you want to, I promise you to look incredibly sexy.
UPDATE: My items from Amazon.com have arrived.
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So these are the items I bought (and going to buy) in Christmas 2010. Have you bought anything for yourself?