Don't leave home without me!

LA Family - did you hear what I heard last night?

Goodness...I actually "heard" the weather last night. loud & clear. The hurling winds, the strange crackling sounds, and then there were these indescribable weird noises that preceeded the rush of something towards my direction ... so creepy, right? Who's ever heard of a tornado in SoCal? Guess there's a first time for everything.

Hope all of you have mastered the art of ducking and running for cover! .... and hope all los angelinos will staying warm & dry through tomorrow's round 2 of this stranger than strange funny business with the weather. Everyone - take good care!

All this takes me to daydreaming about a big escape. It's about time, you know. Spring and Fall - either or - these are the 2 most likely times you'll see me pack my luggage and head abroad. I really have trouble with enjoying myself in the heat of the hot summer, and besides, it's really rough and chaotic when the planes are packed with the kids and children on summer break.

Honestly, I don't really have problems with kids and children per se.... it's just that I once sat through a transpacific flight (exact duration = 9 hours and 12 minutes) sitting next to a child who hurled and hurled (? stomach flu or airline food?) non-stop. Poor kid, poor kid, I know. As badly as I felt for the kiddo, it was "poor mishio" too, I have to add. Did I mention the flight was 9 hours and 12 minutes long? haha - just checking. Anyway, the auditory/visual/olfactory (yikes! why am I reminding myself?) experience still haunts me to no end, and Nope, I just won't purposely do summer travel unless I don't have a choice.

The other thing that exacerbated the travel bug in me was the fact that I haven't yet had the chance to put "My 2007 Fav BYJ-related Purchase" to good use! Still !! See...nary a scratch!
What the...? haha
Such a non-descript lump of something, right?

You've all seen this (if not own it........if not already used it many times) I think, sometime last year when it hit the stores. I call it my own "Happy Travel Buddy"! haha. Yes, remember how I enjoy travelling alone? Well, it helps to have a non-speaking buddy along, as long as it is one that brings my lips to smile :)

OK. OK. That's fancy wording for a passport case. But I so needed one at the time. And I so wanted this one! ! ! It's non-flashy (can actually use!), does not add to arm fatigue and that's why I like it.

Remember how it comes in white, orange and brown? My heart screamed "white" all the way. Still does! But for the wear and tear of travelling, I opted for practicality.

Open, open!

Haha - I can't wait till I see the expression on the immigration agent's face when I hand this over, the next time I go to Korea!

I'd imagine it'd be something like this:
Just love that photo of him....how not to smile back?

Then again, I have been known to have too much faith in immigration officers' general sense of humor. Got in trouble talking too much to the harsh agents in China once. Speaking of which....hee, you know how you generally have to fill out arrival forms when entering a foreign country? Where it says "Purpose of Travel" - did you know that many sisters actually write down "To see BYJ" or something along those lines! hee.......it's cute. Have yet to hear any good stories about the officers' reaction, however. Sigh.......what did I tell you about their sense of humor?

Anyway, wanna know what else I keep in this case, other than my necessary travel docs?

A Clue you asked?

As AMEX would advise, I never leave home without it! Well, when I go to Seoul anyway :)

Tah-dah! It's my own GORILLA plastic!
haha -just like a "yoja" to get all goo-goo-ga-ga over plastic!

I know, I know this isn't exactly newsflash to the frequent fliers, but it was to me when I received it (soooo thoughtful- thank you!). Way back when GORILLA first opened, it seemed that a kind sister took the trouble to apply for this card for me. Heehee - the good folks behind the counter just kept those last few unclaimed cards in drawer all this time - I literally only picked this card up during this last trip! (hee, don't you like how I've made myself customer #1 up there?)

And did you know I was labeled a "human"? haha - They're kind ... given my GORILLA sized pants-size!

Anyway, it's a frequent dining card - like the discount cards that many retail outlets issue to their loyal customers. Just present it every time you pay your bill, and when you've accumulated something like 200,000 W of charges, a 10% discount will apply to your bills from that point onwards.

To be truthful, I don't know if they still accept applications. Some ladies tried to apply during the last trip and were told they could not do so anymore. But if interested, do inquire the next time you set foot there. Doesn't hurt to ask. But it might not be worth the trouble - since they don't issue the cards immediately. So you have to apply (one trip), then return (another trip) to pick it up. And have to go back (another trip) enough times to gain the necessary credits. Not a bad idea if all you need is an excuse to return to Baeland.

Better alternative?
The next time you plan to dine there, why don't you just invite me & my card along - and I'll make sure you get that 10% discount. kakakaka

Really, I'm willing, ready, able to help! :)

OK, happy travel buddy, when will it be??