Pre - flight rantings

SERIOUS BUSINESS  (entry dated 22/6)

This is no laughing matter when …… we have to buy these in preparation for our upcoming trip. 

I’m definitely bringing my cool sleeve; my cap; my umbrella; my fans; Coolify 2 neck fan; my SQ small towel to wipe face n perspiration; UV cream. I hardly use my Kiehls UV cream but now will have to do so (ehh….expired or not?!) 

Should I just pack Dri-fit tops? Easy to wash and dry. Got Dri-fit undergarments or not 😂?  

Let’s see if the gal will believe me when I told her July summer heat is no joke. She ever asked “how hot can it be? We went in June before …..”

WHAT’S THE HYPE WITH YOUTRIP AND …. (entry dated 23/6)

So hubby was so excited telling me how good and easy Youtrip was, better exchange rate and concluded with “you go and apply another card”. Initially I was questioning him why use this card when it works the same as a credit card? And with my UNI$ I can redeem more practical items to feed my kids stuffs like BreadTalk voucher not buying useless stuffs.  

There were a few to choose from so I chose Revolut, which sounds more of the winner to me. Applied mine on 13/6 and the card was probably in the mailbox for many days (we don’t open the mailbox daily. Like every 2-3wks maybe? Or when someone rmbrs 🤭)

Put in S$1000/- first. Will top up more at a later date. 

Wait for my review on Revolut when I come back from Japan. 

Anyway, feedback from lil’ one who used daddy’s card in TW. Can only use the card in Taipei but not in Keelung. Many of the people couldn’t use their debit card in Keelung also. So luckily I changed around S$500+ and had some extra notes at home. I think it’ll be no problem for us coz we won’t be travelling in ulu places. Still, it would be good to have some cash around. Not forgetting I’ll need to hide my money from che-che 😂.

SUICA CARD (entry dated 26/6)

I had the cards since 2013? 

I probably did use the cards in 2015? 2016? But in 2020, I don’t think I used in Okinawa as we walked a lot. And 2022, I didn’t use my card coz we practically had a car so … but I did check on the value of my card and asked what I can do with the not so 小 kids’ cards now. The staff told me to approach the JR East Office to process refund. 

I didn’t do it in the end coz not much money left and if I did, there won’t be any ‘souvenir’ for the girls to keep next time. Or maybe they don’t even want to keep the card. 

It takes the tech savvy girl to help me to do it on the phone. I probably did try once and never succeed or worried that I’ll even lose my ¥821 [S$7.74 only 🤣 talk like as if I have thousands of dollars inside] Topped up my card with ¥5000. So it’ll be easy now to tap tap my phone. Thanks to advance technology! And she had to REITERATE with such great emphasis on “DON’T I REPEAT DO NOT USE THE PHYSICAL CARD ANYMORE.” because :

She knows her mom can __________

(a) be forgetful at times 

(b) never pay 100% to what they say

(c) both (a) and (b) 

Answer : ______

FINALLY PACKED THE LUGGAGE (28/6)

Clothes and items were left on the piano and electone for few days. Finally packed them in. Initially wanted to let che-che have responsibility for her own items but it means I’ll need 4 packing cubes (1 medium and 1 large sized cubes each) and each will have some leftover space. I asked her to pack only 4 sets of clothes, 2 sets of sleeping clothes, 3 sets of undergarments. 

that’s coz aunty will be washing clothes there. See the hanger? Lil’ one was the first person to try this out. 

Got this from Taobao

Have this too. It’s slimmer to keep in the luggage but only 4 clips each hanger so may not be enough for us two. Maybe can either let che-che bring this to the US if she prefers. 

After I weighed the bag, I hope I’m doing it correctly coz my luggage weighing scale is spoilt so used the weighing scale (total weight of me carrying the luggage - my weight = 15kg. Huh? Sure or not? Maybe it’s the cans of chilli + kaya for Mio that is heavy? 🫢

I asked che-che if we should use another luggage as we have an allowance of 20kg on the way back. Knowing SHE WILL BE BRINGING home lots of 可愛いstuffs, her なにわ男子stuffs, and her snacks confirm 20kg is not enough. Of course I have the worry that with 2 luggages, the first hotel might be even more cramped. Oh well! I think we can step on the bed to get into the bed then 🤷‍♀️. 

PRINTING DONE on 29/6

Got the chance to scan through some itinery. I have no idea where the places she wants to go in Osaka. So I told her she has to know which train to take coz I’m just going to follow her 😂. 

Printed the itinerary and hotel bookings. I forgot how to do the booklet way and she asked just print normal, why bind?

After I kept the printer, I realised I forgot to print the flight bookings. Actually most airlines don’t even look at bookings, scanning the passport is good enough. 

HER PLANNING STYLE VS MINE

actually this is the most laxed holiday… I left the planning to her BUT she’s not as detailed as I am. Nevertheless must admit she has done a good job. It’s taken a load off my mind so I have no stress; feel younger.