What if.....................?

Dear Diary,

What if - Sephisis

What If?

What If I say I love you?

What will your reaction be?

Will you say you love me back?

Or there’s only friendship,

Between you and me?

What if I say I give you the moon? 

The sky, the stars, 

The earth, Neptune, Jupiter

Venus, Mercury and Mars

What if I give you a galaxy? 

With beautiful wonders, such as you

What if I give you that? 

Will you say you love me too?

What if I say I go to you?

Even if you’re in the other side of the world

I go anywhere, anytime

Even if I’m ninety years-old

I would cross the galaxy again and again

Just to know you love me back

That’s the most pure truth

And for me, huge fact

Maybe you don’t love me

And you just want to be my friend

But we’ll both see

What I’ll be in the end

 
Signed off for now
LOLA

Travel light and easy........

Dear Diary,

The last time I went abroad was in 2002 to Thailand due to work + pleasure purposes.  After that, I tried to refrain myself from going out.  Had a few opportunities offered but I turned them down as I hate to leave my children alone.  However, we did go for short vacation together in Malaysia.  Easier and affordable.  

I remember on my trip to Tokyo ages ago.  I practically packed everything and anything.  The trip was for 2 weeks and I have to endure around 3-4 hours journey from Narita Airport to another state.  With two bags in tow, I was so exhausted by the time I reached there.  And by the time I went home, I still have unused clothes and I had to buy a new luggage bag for the new items that I bought.

pic: google

Hence, over the years I have found ways how to pack light and what items are essential or useful.   Here we go:

Packing

• Pack as light as possible (use light backpack).  Ask yourself "Do I want it or really need it? If you are moving between places, backpacks leave your hands free.
• Pack just a few clothes with only a couple complimentary, solid colors (easy to mix and match). Black and brown are a good idea if you need to be able to dress up and be casual.  Pack only high-tech fabrics, that dry quickly.  Wear comfortable casual shoe and bring along sandal.
• Most toileteries can be found easily in your destination country.  Otherwise, downsize it. Pick up travel-size version of your favourite products whenever you see them, not just when you are getting ready to travel.  If you can't find miniatures, buy small plastic bottles and decant from larger products. 
• Bring sarong or pareo as it works as a towel, a skirt, a makeshift bag, a scarf, a sheet.  
• Bring disposable undergarments. Take baby wipes and lots of Ziploc bags.
• Photocopy your credit cards, passport and any valuable documents you have.  Keep the emergency phone number with you all the time.

Planning the trip

   pic: google

• Do some research of the place you intend to go.  Hotels, maps, sightseeing places, where to eat, etc. Also check their guidance and advice.
• Keep your itinerary as fluid as possible.  Leave room for the serendipitous and when plans don't work out, treat it as an opportunity.
• Be early at least 2 hours before flight time for check in.  This reduces the stress of waiting in a long security line.  Besides, a relaxing drinks while waiting at the departure hall is lovely way to start a vacation.
• Take a good nap so you feel fresh for the trip.
• Bring sufficient amount of foreign currency. Split your cash and financial assets up.  Credit card in one pocket/handbag compartment, some cash in another.  Hide some in your shoes, etc.  Don't bring all your cash/credit cards on you when you go out.  Leave some in a safebox at the hotel.
• Get up early.  So you have ample time to wander around at a more leisurely pace.   
• Make friends with locals.  Smile! Because it might be helpful.

Bon voyage! and Enjoice..........................................

Signed off for now

LOLA

Honey, I lost my passport!

Dear Diary,

We are planning for a short vacation somewhere in Asia.  Hence, there are several things that we need to have such as flight tickets, accommodation arrangement, maps, pocket money to spend and most important is a valid passport.  

So, Ms Clumsy me have forgotten where I kept my passport.  The last trip I went overseas was to Thailand and it was around 8 years ago.  Gosh! can't believe it is so ancient ago.   I searched high and low for that documents either at home or at work.  I even asked my children to check if I accidentally put it at their documents bags.  I practically turned my house upside down, ransacked every drawer and closet but it nowhere to be found.  

So, I called JIM hotline and requested for more information.  The procedures are as below:

• Lodge a police report.
• Fill in an application form IM 42 Pin 1/97 and Questionnaire IM42c
• 2 passport-sized photograph
• Identification card
• Copy of lost passport (if any)
• Other supporting documents

They also said the investigation process would take around 1 months before a  decision can be obtained.  Then, they will decide whether to issue me a new passport OR suspense my application for 2 - 5 years.  WHAT! 1 MONTH to wait for a decision! And there is possibility I have to wait another years before I can go overseas.... 

This couldn't be happening to me! I need it like.... NOW!

After much persuasion and comforting by my other half, we went to Police Headquarters's Special Branch to do the police report.  Since I did the report out of working hours (Friday night), I can only collect the report by the next working day (Monday). I must say that the procedure was a bit tedious but both police officers were quite helpful. They informed me that for passport loss due to misplaced at home and not due to stolen, theft, etc, there is a possibility that no police report is needed.  So I took my chance and went to JIM the next day.  

After submitting all the necessary documents and took my number, I just waited and feeling down again.  When they called for my number, suddenly a miracle happened!  My details of my expired passport somehow couldn't be retrieved.  As a result, I was requested to apply for a new passport.  It took me around 2 1/2 hours and wallahhhhhh I got a brand new passport!  Alhamdulillah!!!!

I called BLY and told him that amazing story.  He just laughed and said everything always  happen for a reason.  Don't ever question the ONE and always think positive....  He is right... always right....

So, the trip is on baby!!!!!

Signed off for now

LOLA