"Get a grip on yourself." I told myself for the twenty-seventh time as i sit in the office while my mind raced through the things i should remember to pack for the trip.
I began to prepare a checklist for the most mundane stuff:
- Toothbrush / Toothpaste
- Shaver / Razor
- Shampoo / Facial Wash / Shower Foam
- Saline Solution / Lens Case / Glasses
- Clothes: 4-5 T-Shirts / 1 Warm Wear / 1 Shirt (In Case)
- Clothes: 2 pair of Jeans / 1 Shorts (Town Wear) / 1 Shorts (Room Wear)
- Boxers: 4 Pairs (One a day)
- Shoes: 1 Slipper / 1 for Jeans / 1 for Skinnies / 3 Socks
- Caps: 2 Pairs (Colour Code with Outfit)
- Chargers (iPhone, HTC Diamond, Camera)
- Spare Memory Card
Things that absolutely made no difference whether or not they were remembered, but only served to fuel my mounting excitement and anxiety. To more critical items that could jeopardize or annul the entire trip:
- Passport (Note: Expiry Date)
- Online Booking Receipts (Verify Dates!!)
- Online Check-In Slip (Save Check-In Time in Phone with Alarm Set 2 Hours Prior)
- Set Second Alarm In-Case First One Fails
- Double Check Alarm Date and Time
- Check Currency Rate (Verify Tamil Money Changer is not a Cheat)
- Check Weather Forecast (Is There any Typhoon Alert?)
- Call Hotel / Verify Check-In Time & Request Late Check-Out
- Double check Health Report Book to Confirm Self not Suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Wait....... Which Terminal is it Again?!
The last time i felt so excited about anything was the first day of secondary school. You may laugh at this but note that i came from an all BOYS primary school to a boys-GIRLS secondary school. I swear there were times when i felt my heart threatening to climb out of my mouth ever-since my leave was approved, and that's just from counting down the days to departure.
I can almost imagine myself experiencing periodical blackouts while i pack my luggage and the taxi-driver announcing our arrival at the airport only to find me convulsing and foaming at the mouth in his back seat.
This time round though, she won't be meeting me at the airport, which is the worse thing, because that prolongs my anticipation. Thus, i will be known to all the locals that see me that day as "That convulsing foreign kid i met in the train the other day, i think he has Tourette's though so stop laughing". Maybe i should play some Hip-Hop on my iPhone so people will think i'm popping instead of having muscles spasms, maybe some will throw money at me even.
Jokes aside, i am really looking forward to this trip, although my last visit was only last month it actually feels longer. I miss her more now than i was prepared to, and i had prepared myself to miss her a great deal. So if you're staying in HK and you happen to come across an incredibly handsome tourist with Tourette's Syndrome. Be kind. Don't Laugh.
