I’m headed to Bangalore, India for intensive Yoga Teacher Training on Tuesday, October 25, arriving on the 27th, with a one-way ticket and I’m bringing with me just these things.

Everything I own, I carry on my back. If I can’t carry it, it doesn’t come with me (meaning, I give/toss/recycle/sell it). Last time I moved to a different country was when I brought 34 things to Taipei, Taiwan.

I don’t own a U.S. cell phone, a home, or a car. Everything I own (read: borrow from this world) serves a purpose. They can be practical, mental, inspirational. But they have to serve a purpose.

I leave no room for just-in-case scenarios and adamantly believe hoarding is a by-product of having a deficit mentality. We already have way too much but believe we do not have enough. We do have enough. We are enough.

In the end, things hardly matter. They provide us with simple, basic protection (clothing, for instance) for the modern 21st century human and allows us to use them to aid us in our everyday lives (a computer, for example).

The rest of human existence? Experiences.

Manduka eKO SuperLite Travel Yoga Mat, Thyme

When: September 2011
How: At 68″, 24″ wide, 1.5mm thick, this mat packs a solid punch for my practice, anywhere I go. Weight matters when everything you own is on your back, so it weighs less than 2 lbs., offering me great flexibility, durability and mobility. I can roll it or fold it easily, a big plus.

Manduka eQua Lightweight Micro-Fiber Towel, Thyme

When: October 2011
How: This super-absorbent towel fits standard yoga mats at 26.5″x72″. I double this up for a basic towel to use everyday and its quick-drying capabilities allows me to pack it up in a jiffy. It’s also long enough for me to use as a blanket, thin enough for me to wrap it around my neck as a scarf or around my head as a hat.

Who says towels are only used after bathing? Multi-purpose functions are the best for the world traveler.

Books

When: Constant
How: While traveling in Asia this year, I noticed it was quite difficult to get my hands on a good English book. There are some classic books I re-read all the time, like The Catcher in the Rye. Due to my preference of physical books, this is why I carry a mini library with me. I have more books than clothes and am quite alright with this fact.

The practical, rational side of me would lecture the whimsical, stubborn side of me that if I just got the iPad, Kindle or Nook, I can read a thousand books without carrying a single hardcopy. But … I don’t like to listen to the practical Nina sometimes. I tell her to zip it and let me be.

MacBook Pro 13.3″

When: January 2011
How: My very first Apple product after a long overdue relationship with Windows PCs. Absolutely one of the best investments in my writing and technological life.

My thoughts, rambles, crazy words and fun photos deserve a nice place to dwell. I can’t go back to Windows now that I’ve tasted the Apple. Thank you, Steve Jobs.

Incase Laptop Sleeve

When: January 2011
How: I bought this when I got my Mac. Simple, basic.

iPod shuffle, blue, 2GB

When: October 2011
How: A very special person gave me this iPod shuffle filled with music to my taste and geared towards my India adventure. I’ve contemplated buying an iPod this year and have never owned one before, let alone any mp3.

The deep blue color is amazing, one of my favorites.

World Map

When: April 2011
How: I picked up this large world map for $2 when I was in an international bookstore in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam. It’s fun to see all the places I’ve been to, and it’s a good way for me to study up on my geography and capitals.

Camera, Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T99 14.1 megapixels (not pictured)

When: January 2011
How: A friend bought this for me as a Christmas gift as well as a parting gift for the beginning of my extended world travels.

I struggled and pined over having a camera versus not having one. On one hand, I wanted to capture small slices in time, fragments of my life experiences frozen in a split second.

On the other hand, I hate having excess things. A gift apparently solved the dilemma. I’m glad for this in the end.

I’ve captured beautiful moments in time, in gorgeous and frightening places all over the world, and these few photos I end up saving on my Mac serve as inspiration to me.

I’ve also used this camera to film the episodes and behind-the-scenes making for my book Bitch, Please!

Taiwan cell & charger, Nokia

When: February 2011
How: My family friend in Taipei bought this cell phone for me after I realized the phone I brought from the States didn’t jive well with the Taiwan SIM card I had.

I really don’t like using phones and think it to be a nuisance to me rather than an advantage like most people believe it to be. Of course, it’s more difficult to track me down … but have people thought that sometimes I don’t want to be tracked down?

I never use this phone unless I’m in Taiwan. I haven’t owned a cell phone in the States since November 2010.

Earphones, GE

When: Fall 2010
How: These earphones fit comfortably and easily. Doubles as earplugs on rackety Asian bus rides every now and then.

Tokens (Koala puzzle eraser, vintage matchbox, vintage clock face with time stopped forever, Palo santo wooden stick)

When: August-October 2011
How: A sweet friend of mine, Flynn, gave these mini tokens to take with me wherever I’m at in the world. Each one has a very specific, special meaning.

If I ever have an opportunity to meet you, do ask me about it and I can tell you the story behind each token.

Vintage, army-green canvas backpack

When: July 2011
How: I love this bag for its look and feel. It definitely has that traveler/sojourner’s aura to it. Being that it’s also made in India, it’s going back home from whence it came. This backpack is simple, has pockets and clasps. It’s all I need to fit everything I own into it.

This is the bag I live out of. The one before it was a cheap imitation orange North Face backpack, which I gave to my younger brother.

Green canvas messenger bag

When: January 2011
How: I love this simple bag. I use it as a day pack and I put everything and anything into it for my day’s needs.

It’s been completely soaked in Bangkok during the Songkran festival, sun-drenched on mountains in Laos and Vietnam, dust-blown on the killing fields in Cambodia. It’ll continue to travel with me wherever I go, until it can travel no more.

Journals, pen, marker

When: Constant
How: Once I finish a notebook and pen, I recycle it, then purchase another one. The brand I’ve been using for the past few years is Moleskine (black, hard cover, squared or ruled notebook). I’m also enjoying Fabriano, an Italian-made brand.

As for pens, I like the Pilot G-2 0.7 black gel ink for its smoothness on the paper. When I write, it feels like smooth silk. Ecstasy.

The black Sharpie is for writing and drawing on my body, something I enjoy doing when I’m inspired by something or someone.

People will ask what I do with my old journals and notebooks.

This is what I do:

1. Glance over the entire notebook while simultaneously mentally absorbing the great content and ignoring the not-so-great content.
2. Recycle it.

It’s pretty simple, really.

Polaroid photo

When: 1999
How: My grandfather used to have this old clock on his desk and inside this old clock was this small cut-out Polaroid photo of when I was a baby with my parents. After he passed away, the clock had already stopped working, so I took the picture out and it’s been with me ever since. This is the only hard photo I have (everything else is digital) and carry with me everywhere I go in the world.

When I feel I miss my parents, I take this photo out, sit wherever I’m at and allow myself to cry.

Passports & IDs, Cash, U.S. Army wallet

When: Constant (August 2011: U.S. Army wallet)
How: The wallet was given to me as a gift for my 27th birthday. I actually use it to store my tokens in, as well as special matches I pick up along the way. I have a bit of an obsession with awesome matches and matchboxes. I light the matches just to see the fire.

My U.S. passport will expire in a few years. That, or the pages will run out as I only have two blank pages left.

My Taiwan passport I obtained in December 2010. I mainly use the U.S. passport for travels and the Taiwan passport for entering/departing Taiwan (ROC).

Envelopes

When: May 2011
How: I picked up these brown recyclable envelopes from the Ruby Mart in Yangon, Myanmar for 400 kyat. I was hand-writing letters to some family and friends and needed envelopes. I like that they are brown. It makes me feel they’re a part of the Earth.

Medical things (Cold medicine, Bandages, Antibiotic ointment, Tiger balm, Athletic tape)

When: Constant
How: I still have some cheap Vietnamese cold medicine when I got sick in Sapa, Vietnam this spring. I needed bandages when I found myself getting cut while hanging off the side of the filled-to-150%-capacity buses in Vietnam.

Tiger balm, how I love thee. It’s saved me from rampant mosquito bites, unpleasant rashes, and random nasties. Super versatile, and I don’t care if it makes me smell like an old Chinese lady.

I used to use athletic tape a lot during my elite Karate training for my busted up feet and bloody scratches on my body. Athletic tape is multi-functional, durable, and I can use it to tape things too, not just to tape my body back together, though that’s always a plus.

Basic human hygiene and girl things

When: Constant
How: This is pretty self-explanatory. That Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue you see there? Absolute favorite perfume in the whole world; been using it for years now.

Blistex lip balm

When: Constant
How: I started using this exact kind of Blistex lip balm when I was a teen and I’ve tried all sorts but always come back to this little blue tub. I can’t not use some kind of chapstick or lip balm. My lips would protest. One can say I’m fairly addicted to it.

Sunglasses, brown, Fossil

When: Winter 2009
How: I bought this at at a Fossil store for around $18. It has fallen off of me so many times I’m surprised it hasn’t cracked in half, though it is scratched up quite a bit. It’s been all over the world with me, but I don’t necessarily wear sunglasses all the time.

Eyeglasses, black, Gucci

When: May 2011
How: I finally got new eyeglasses after 10 years of having the same pair of outdated Guess glasses. This new pair is Gucci, and I must admit, I splurged a little.

In Taiwan, it’s so much cheaper and I was able to bargain the price down as well. I like this new pair. I look like a librarian super hero in them, but a sassy one at that.

Black earrings

When: February 2011
How: These are from Taipei. I prefer black earrings rather than silver or white gold, though the piercing on my upper right ear is silver sterling, as insisted upon by the piercer/tattoo artist in Bangkok where I had it pierced. I make do.

Cap, Wooden Ships

When: 2010
How: I feel like a ninja when I wear this black cap.

Scarf

When: October 2011
How: I borrowed this super rad scarf when going out to see Trentemøller’s show in Chicago. I loved it so much I asked Flynn if I can have it. She said yes. And now it’s around my neck.

Hoodie, grey, BDG

When: January 2011
How: I like this hoodie for its simplicity and the type of string they use for the hood. I can’t count the number of times I’ve used this hoodie as a blanket, pillow, scarf, hat, napkin, everything. It’s been all over the world with me and has gone through very treacherous conditions.

Hoodie, black, American Apparel

When: July 2011
How: I saw this hoodie a while back but didn’t need one until now. I like black and the hoodie is incredibly soft and warm, as I get cold easily (which is why I love hot places — yay for India!). It fits me well.

Track jacket, Kyodan

When: September 2011
How: This was my mom’s. I liked it so much she gave it to me.

T-shirt, grey, Gap

When: July 2011
How: At the time I bought this shirt, I only had one (and it was incredibly dirty), so I figured it was time to get one more. This v-neck shirt is soft and the color suits me.

T-shirt, grey, FCKH8

When: January 2011
How: A friend gave me this shirt right before I left Chicago for my travels as a token of good times together. I love the way this shirt feels and it’s quite soft.

I typically don’t like regular T-shirts because the collar feels so stifling around my neck. That’s why I cut it up.

This is the same shirt that’s in the picture for this post.

T-shirt, blue, Impossible

When: October 2011
How: Joel gave me this shirt when he launched his Impossible HQ. It’s printed with American Apparel T-shirt material, so it’s nice and soft, kind of like a bunny.

I do impossible things in this shirt.

Tank top, grey, BDG

When: January 2011
How: I wore this tank everywhere and everyday for 3 months straight in Southeast Asia. The fabric is worn out so much that I can see right through the tank. But it still works for now.

Tank tops, black and white

When: Sometime during undergraduate university
How: The black tank was free with any Victoria’s Secret Pink perfume purchase. It actually says “Very Sexy” in pink studded glitter stones but I never wear it the way it’s supposed to be worn. I don’t like the pink words on it so I always wear the tank inside out. Simple, sleek and black. My signature style.

The white one is a cheap Fruit of the Loom tank.

Shorts

When: May 2011
How: Bought at Shilin Night Market in Taipei, I haven’t owned a proper pair of shorts for years. I like it because it does the job, looks good on me and it wasn’t expensive. Sometimes, that’s all it takes.

Khakis

When: Sometime during undergraduate university
How: I almost donated this pair of pants because my legs are pressed right up on it due to physical activity (lots and lots of Yoga). But they actually fit me well and are super soft material, which I like. I also have no other long pair of pants, which isn’t too wise in colder temperatures.

Capris, black, Adidas

When: Fall 2010
How: This is the most comfortable and versatile casual capris I’ve ever owned. It’s by far my favorite pair of pants. I wear it for Yoga, walking around, running, sleeping, pretty much anytime, anywhere. It’s been everywhere with me and is my default pair of pants.

Sweats, grey

When: Sometime during undergraduate university
How: I lounge around in these sweats. They’re comfortable, slim-fitting and warm.

Socks, black

When: Unknown
How: I hate socks and I hate wearing shoes actually. So these black socks (just one pair) only get used whenever I wear closed-toe shoes, which is not often at all.

Vibram FiveFingers, black

When: Spring 2010
How: I wore this pair of classic Vibrams at all the summer races in Chicago, as well as whenever I run. People stare sometimes, but most are just curious as to how it affects my running and feet.

Answer: it’s a fabulous workout. You won’t know until you try it for yourself. Read Born to Run by Christopher McDougall before purchasing Vibrams. It’ll change your views on barefoot running and footwear completely.

Sneakers, b&w, Converse All-Stars

When: July 2011
How: When I bought these all-stars, I only had flip flops and Vibrams with me. All close-toed shoes I had previously owned were dispersed all across the world due to 1) wearing down, 2) it didn’t fit me well any longer, or 3) I didn’t like/need it. These sneakers work, fits well, and naturally, I like black. Win!

Flip flops, brown, Bata

When: April 2011
How: After 5 years, my old pair of flip flops fell apart on the streets of downtown Bangkok, leaving me barefoot for 4 hours as I walked around on the scorching hot black cement looking for a decent new pair.

When I purchase flip flops, I wear them until they literally fall apart. So I didn’t just settle for any bright colored zebra pair they were selling in the markets. Oh no. I want to really enjoy them, because I wear flip flops 95% of the entire time out of the year.

If not barefoot, I will most likely die while wearing a pair of flip flops; that’s how much I love them.

Underwear, Victoria’s Secret

When: Unknown
How: I lean more towards cooler colors in anything I wear or own, though for some reason, I have a bright pink pair in this mix. Go figure.

Bras

When: 2008
How: Victoria’s Secret bras are amazing for its longevity and style. This is the only brand I wear and enjoy consistently. I literally wore the same bra every single day for 6 months in a row and it still didn’t break.

The Adidas sports bra is awesome. I wore it all throughout my Karate training and now, for my Yoga practice. I’m unafraid to walk around the room in just that. In fact, that’s exactly what I do.