Equipment: Rucksack

Got my rucksack today. The process of selecting one that fit was pretty traumatising due to my weird body built, couldn't find one with snug shoulder pads. They either hurt the nape of my neck, or were too large to for my shoulders.

It took me a pain-staking 1.5 hours to choose this.

Had initially aimed for a 45L one, but none fit. Those by Deuter fit badly, and ended up forking a fortune for a Karrimor, Cougar 65 rucksack.

Most may think that I paid a hefty sum for it, to which I agree to a certain extent. But, comfort and a good-fit is of primary concern to me. Hence, I settled for this.

And since I'm now embarking on a 5 weeker instead of a 10 weeker, I have some funds to spare. So why not?

Total damage: RM700

-LV-

Jungle Drugs

Note to self:

Vaccinations: Check! (Cost: Nil)

Malaria Pills: Check! (Cost: Nil)

Swimming Test: Check!

Allergy Pills: Check! (Cost: Unknown)

Mini First Aid Kit: To do

Medical Report: To do

-LV-

Homeward Bound

Dear all,

Finally got my return ticket booked as well!

Will be back on the 9th September, night flight. Hopefully I'll still be alive after conquering Mt. Kinabalu the day before!!!

Post expedition travel beckons!

Hope I'll survive to tell the tale!

Cost: RM69.50 (one way)

Remaining funds: RM1379.54

-LV-

Flight Tickets

Dear all,

I've just got my tickets to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. FINALLY! After much procastination.

So, I'm off to the jungle camp on the morning of the 28th July 2008 at 9.30am. Anyone interested in sending me off at the LCCT?

Cost: RM69.50 (one way)

Remaining funds: RM1449.04

-LV-

Jungle Gear: Part 1

Did the very first of my jungle/camping gear shopping. Well, I have to get everything prepared by May due to time constraints.

My catch(es) of the day are as follows:

1. Mess tin (RM15.50)

2. Headtorch (RM39.90)

Total cost: RM55.50

-LV-

Air Tickets

CLP ends on the 24th and I've decided to fly off to Sabah on the 27th July.

Had intended to book my outward bound flight last week, but thank God I procastinated. MAS had just announced their "Everyday Low Fares" promotion yesterday, whilst Air Asia will launch their counter-attack soon...

The last check, as of today (6th May 2008) shows the following:

Outward bound flight: 27th July
Inward bound flight: 14th Sept

MAS: RM240
Air Asia: RM221

I shall wait and see how much the flight tickets cost after the launch of Air Asia's Sub Zero promotion as reported in the papers today. *Keeping my fingers crossed*

Always on the lookout for the best bargains, when I'm on limited funds - RM2k for fees, flight, equipment, etc...

-LV-

July 2008

Dear all,

I'm back after a long hiatus!

As most of you might have been aware by now, I initially signed up for the 10 week expedition in Sabah back in September 2007. I did my fundraising activities, managed to raise enough funds to cover the cost of the expedition plus airtickets. Unfortunately, I had to make the decision to pull out a week before expedition began.

Anyway, I got on with life and the time has now come for me to 'enlist' for an expedition. Looked at my schedule and realised that the 5 week one fit in just fine, and so I took it up.

After much procastination, I've finally submitted my application for the 5 week expedition in July 2008; due to commence on 28th July and to end on 1st September.

Hence, I aim to commit the month of May towards preparation for my expedition. I.e. getting the necessary equipment and the booking of flight tickets as the months of June/July will be extremely busy for me.

Thus, although this blog was initially aimed to function as a documentation of my fundraising journey for Autumn 2007, it will now serve another purpose. I.e. to document my preparations for July 2008. Mostly about shopping! For equipment, that is...

____

On the side note, I've also decided to retain the original elements in the blog as follows:

1. Notwithstanding the fact that I will be embarking on the 5 weeker in July 2008, the name of the blog will still remain as "Send LiVyen to the Jungle!" - Raleigh Sabah, Autumn 2007 with the addition of the following words "...now July 2008"

2. Names and logos of previous sponsors will not be removed.

3. The "Make a Donation" button will still remain.

4. The "Funds Raised to Date" header will not be changed, despite the fact that the amount raised is sufficient to cover the airfare, expedition fees plus a substantial bit of my equipment.

5. The links will also remain unchanged.


HOWEVER

I have added a chatbox and a life traffic feed monitor to the blog.

Will keep you guys posted.

-LV-

The Fundraising Projects

Dear all,

Sorry that this update came 7 months late. I was too caught up with things. Hence, this blog was put to rest.

____

Note: The following are exerpts taken from "My Story, My Life".

____

Below are the following fundraising projects I embarked on in my attempt to raise funds for the Autumn 2007 expedition.

Sold cupcakes.... RM5 each..

Cupcakes: The Night Before...

*yeah, rip-off I know! But super cute la! I remember customers asking me whether they are edible!*

NOTE: They were donated courtesy of Shalia. (PS: Do check out her site, she makes the loveliest cuppies ever!) The lovely lady who agreed to make them for me! Sold almost all of them bout 90 I think :) But in all, the 1U event wasn't a success. Another lesson to be learnt! Wanna know more? Gimme a buzz!

Sold old junks... Kudos to ZY for the junk-collecting effort. Double salute for 'going green' by using public transport summore!

Tribute to the man who did it all with public transport! *salute*
(Picture taken during Charlie's FR, January 2008. Picture credits: Jer Rei)

Bet you would never want to go through that again now that you can 'lou lup' the little mousedeer that drinks like a camel already! *winks*
*Thanks! We couldn't have made it by for your efforts. And Vincent's 24/7 help too!* Not forgetting the others who dropped by to support us!

Our stall.... during our FR, September 2007...

(Picture credits: My pariah + ciplak K610i camera)

Life as a 'pasar malam' trader was tough....

(Picture credits: Zhi Yong)

We've learnt how to give press-interviews.... Which was interesting...

Vincent, ZY and I, with Sharmini and The Star (R.A.G.E.) photographer
(Picture credits: ZY's camera, picture taken by Christal)

NOTE: Totally unexpected call for an interview! As all I wanted was for them to publish a short write-up about our fundraising event at 1 Utama. But yeah, enjoyable experience!

(Picture Credits: Zhi Yong)

Oh yes, I sold postcards too! They were the most profitable of all!!! That in fact, made up for about 60% of the funds raised.

A sample of the postcards I sent to my donors. 'Outsourced' from Vincent.

And yes, we sold t-shirts as well! A joint-venture between Vincent, Zhi Yong, Yen Jun, Ee Laine and I.

Anyone interested?? We still have a couple of them left!!! RM5 each!!!!!

Not the most flattering of pics, but it's the best one I have of someone wearing our t-shirts...

-LV-