I love big bags and I carry them well, too. Petite as I am, it would be easy to get overwhelmed by big bags but I make sure I wear the bag and not let the bag wear me. No question who's the big cheese, here.

Everytime I ask friends to pass me my bag, they never fail to ask what's inside the bag. Moreso, when they carry it.

I do literally carry the weight on my shoulders. I don't need dumbbells, I've handbags to tone my arms.

Listed below are the bare minimums. I've been known to expertly cram a few more things inside my bag. No bowling balls, though.

Wallet
It's the miniature loot bag. It carries the required cash, credit cards, bills, IDs, discount cards and receipts that attest to the consumerist life we lead nowadays.

cell phones and smartphones
Because I've been conscripted into the modern way of thinking that these gadgets ensure my connectedness. A connectedness defined mainly by gadget makers, technology, telecoms pundits and their associated ad agencies.

vanity kit
My name is Victoria. Need I say more?

Seriously, this is more of a security blanket than actually being purposeful since I am not one who bothers to put-on nor retouch her face. And yet, I pack one in case I need to commune with fellow females in trooping to the ladies toilet "to powder our noses".

book
I always take one with me to keep me preoccupied either during downtime or when I just need to break the monotony of whatever it is I am doing (yes, even at work). Eversince I can remember, I've had my nose in a book and I don't intend to stop this lovely habit of mine.

ipod
I need music (in my life) constantly. Can't imagine a world without music and words. Feeds my soul. Hence, I need my portable music player to hear songs I wish to listen to. It's also a good prop when my anti-social behavior decides to strike.

notebook & pen
To jot down things. In this day & age of electronic gadgetry, I still rely on the trusty pen and notebook to store information, my musings, to do list, addresses, doodles and what not.

keys & access cards
I need keys to gain access to my home & my office.

a spare bag/tote or 2
I carried along a folded extra bag/tote way before it became fashionable and politically-environmentally correct to do so. I remember the days when shop assistants would stare at me as I'd unfold the tote(s) and instruct them to place my purchases inside the bag(s). For the past 2 years the stares have been replaced with "thank yous (for caring about our environment)".

These also came in handy when I needed to bring home paperwork.

The inveterate shopper that I am always puts to good use these extra bags.

a pair of sunglasses
My future's so bright, I've got to wear shades.

(Digression: I seriously almost studied nuclear science.)