4/25/2013

It Should Have Been Las Vegas

A few years back, I went to US to visit some friends and relatives. I went state-hopping for almost a month and included in the itinerary was Las Vegas as one friend wanted to hit the casinos there. While she likes to hit the slot machines from time to time what she really wanted to do was watch the spectacular shows and to take photos of Las Vegas which is known for spectacular sights and sounds.

I traveled with two of my officemates and since we could not agree on what date to visit Las Vegas, we decided to buy the tickets on a later date. It was a wrong move. While we got busy visiting the sights of San Francisco, New York and and even some parts of Texas and South Carolina, we forgot to check the flight fares. When it was time to go to Las Vegas, the flight fares were not to our liking anymore that we had to give up our Las Vegas plans. Regrettably, some friends in Las Vegas have been waiting excitedly for our arrival but we could not afford to get there anymore.

Recently, a friend traveled to Las Vegas and posted some photos in Facebook. She had a grand time she said and her photos looked like it. Her photos and stories reminded me that I missed out on Las Vegas and the fun I could have had. If only we agreed earlier on what date to travel. In fact, if only we took priority on Las Vegas and adjusted our itinerary around it, it would have worked out. So, for the next US trip, I have been checking www.letsgo2.com to make sure that Las Vegas is on the itinerary.

4/12/2013

Tips and advice to avoid getting sick in Bali

Bali is a hugely popular tourist destination, due to the spectacular scenery and year round sunshine. However, one thing which can potentially spoil a holiday here is illness. As such, it's worth taking a few precautions, so as to make sure that you have a truly enjoyable trip. You should consult with your doctor at least a month before you intend to leave, as you may need to get some of the following vaccinations; tetanus, typhoid as well as hepatitis A and B.

Insect and wildlife-related health issues
Dengue fever is a type of virus which can be transmitted by a specific breed of mosquitoes called Aedes that tend to bite most often during the mornings and the afternoons. Symptoms include a rash, vomiting, nausea, headaches, joint pains and muscle aches, as well as a high temperature. Malaria can also be transmitted by a type of mosquito called Anopheles that usually bite people after sunset. Luckily, Malaria is not very common in Bali   however there is still a small risk that those who are bitten by this type of mosquito will contract the disease. As such, make sure to bring along mosquito nets which you can use around your hotel bed and windows, as well as insect repellent. It's also advisable to talk to your doctor a few weeks before you travel, to discuss whether or not you should take anti-malaria medication.

Diet
Digestive and stomach problems such as diarrhoea and vomiting can be caused by food poisoning, or the sudden changes to one's diet. You should not drink the tap water in Bali; however, you can easily purchase bottled water here and it is usually very cheap. Use cooled, boiled water to brush your teeth too and try to avoid swallowing any water when showering. However, ice in tourist-centric areas is usually safe to consume.

To avoid getting traveller's diarrhoea, try not to consume drinks or food sold by any street vendors, particularly if you are not confident about how hygienic the stall is. If you have to purchase your food from a street vendor, look for one which locals and other tourists are using. Stay away from seafood or any raw meat and make sure that you are hydrated at all times. It's a good idea to bring along some electrolyte tablets or drinks to ensure that your mineral levels remain balanced.

Whilst most cases of traveller's diarrhoea clear up within a day or two, there is another type of stomach bug which may be mistaken for it, called 'Bali Belly.' This is more severe and is a kind of gastroenteritis, which is usually the result of a parasitic or bacterial infection. Symptoms include diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain. This illness can take several weeks to clear up. If you suspect that you or your travel companions are infected with this, consult a doctor straight away, as the earlier the infection is caught, the quicker it will be resolved.

4/07/2013

Mother’s Unconditional Love

Since I was a kid, she made it a point to prepare breakfast for all of us. If she cannot do it, she would badger my father to do it for her. She went through a lot to keep the family together considering it has not been easy to have an irresponsible and a selfish son, a philandering husband and a stubborn daughter to boot.

She is now in her twilight years and we still have our moments of disagreements but she never failed to prepare breakfast for us which by now include two nieces who would rather wallow in their bed to sleep even until noon rather than prepare their food. Nowadays, she is prone to sudden bouts of self-pity and crankiness that patience sometimes wears on me quite thinly, but she is my mother.

I wish she is having a better life than she has now. Better life means not having to worry about her son’s future and well-being (he seems not to worry about it himself because he would rather sleep late, get stuck facing TV or play pool and cards all day long), not having to pay for her granddaughters’ schooling when they would not even asked her permission nor inform her whenever they have to get out of the house, not having to worry about where her groceries were going because the lazy son would do his groceries in her pantry rather than the supermarket for himself and his girlfriend, not having to wake up early to prepare breakfast for the family, being able to pay for her wants and needs first before considering her son’s and granddaughters’ needs first and generally, just living as a happy retiree at slow and leisurely pace which is quite contrary to what she is doing right now.

What she is doing right now I can never understand. I know there were times she wished she could do it differently but the unconditional love she has for her son dictated her actions and decisions. Her egg nest has been depleted several times due to these and the reminders about it fell on her deaf ears. Relatives have been faulting me for not helping her but I can only help up to what I can agree on her decisions as she would rather empty all the savings for her son and his daughters rather than save for her future so I am doing it for both of us.

My only wish now is that she slows down and takes good care of her health. Stubbornness runs deep in the family and she is one good example of it. I could say that my brother is one big hopeless case but my mother’s unconditional love believes otherwise. I truly pray I am wrong on this one just for her sake.

4/04/2013

To Fly Out And Find My Own Nest

For years and until recently, there were no qualms on my part to live with my parents. Some people thought it strange but I was happy with the set-up. There were some limits but the advantages for all of us outweighed the disadvantages. However, things changed after my father died two years ago that the notion of flying out of our family home is getting stronger everyday. It could have been done earlier but the strong apprehension and mistrust in leaving my mother to my brother and his daughters have been bothering me all the time.

The worry is not stopping me nowadays though in checking out real estate prospects whenever opportunity comes. It will be quite a major project if it will push through but with discipline, determination and God’s blessings, it can be done.

Thankfully, the real estate background I had is playing out quite well in this major project. With real estate, the primary major consideration is location, location, location. I already found some really good real estate prospects affordability-wise and location-wise and one of my favorites is the real estate fountain hills. Not only is its location very favorable but also its amenities are quite good. All I need right now is to decide when I should fly out my family home to strike out on my own.

4/03/2013

Work And Travel

There is no excuse even if I have been quite busy with work and traveling whenever I can. I should have blogged more but laziness took over. The stock photos I have right now are begging to be posted. The albums in Facebook have been filled up but the stories are better off posted here in my blog.  The work in the office is not letting up so the strategy available for me is to squeeze in updating my blogs whenever I can. It is what I have been right now, actually. Hopefully, I can maintain this. I want to. Keeping the fingers crossed.