World Tour 2023 commences

My journey started quite anxious, scared and stressed. The days leading to my flight were focused on encapsulating my 30-day journey in 15kg worth of luggage. To add the work-related predicaments I had to handover to my team. Ouch!

Then the big day came. Still coupled with doubts and uncertainties if I can survive the first day of the journey. No business class this time. But if Batman have utility belt, I do have my golden nuggets. 

The first issue was seeing the TRS fully packed and it is indeed mission impossible to claim my ZFold5. That went to the drain too quick. For some reason I was thinking of having lunch at Maccas but the inner diva in me led the way to emerald road to the House. Looks posh but really little substance imho. 

Then the ulimate predicament happens! I was anxiously waiing to board when I noticed boarding was already late. I am seeing the cabin crew still waiting. And the PA came through that the aircraft was late to arrive in Sydney. And each second turns minutes and before I know it, it turned into an hour delay.

Just to back track a bit... I rebooked this leg so I can arrive Cairo earlier. Also I did want to fly to Qatar. At what price though? The riskiest connection ever. For one the outbound is Scoot, which is known for not really meeting the perfection I needed for this connection. Secondly, the connection is on another carrier with no interline agreement with each other. So the risk is there. I just didnt see it. 

Long story short, I was fidgeting althroughout my flight. And the 30mb internet provided by Scoot was all consumed plotting the perfect strategy to get a glimmer of hope to make it to my connection at Changi.

Touchdown SIN at 1953 with 7 minutes left before check-in counter closes. I ran and it was the longest snake road to Transfer C. Then the queue was horrific as there was a bottleneck served by 2 to 3 staff looking after 10 airlines. As the clock is ticking I was tempted to overtake the queue. But my nobility conquered the temptation. I waited patiently. Then the ground staff I shall call CN initially asked me why I did not exit immigration. I know i was in trouble. I said this is due to the massive delay with Scoot and that i have no luggage to check in. Crossing my fingers and using my inner charm, i managed to get her to issue the boarding pass as a special exception but only after I promised it woild never happen again.

To present, i made it to my flight and i can already say that QR seems to deliver being at the top of the class along with SIA.

The key to achieving this is the power of human strength and never giving up until all options were exhausted

It takes a good strategy to able to draw up a tactic, which  has now proven my limitless pursuit to mindfulness.

Unsent Letter

Sorry if the pain endured for so long

Seeing you happy now makes me smile

I couldn't give what you deserve

I hope you could ever forgive me for leaving

We have the right love in a wrong time

Brief as it is, I consider it moments of love

It did not last long but you cannot say I lied

I gave my heart but too scared to risk it further

Maybe one day I would be understood

But for now, I have forgiven myself.

Hoping you do too?

Jiro

Think about that challenge you have dared yourself to do but really too afraid to try. Taking risk depends on your appetite to fail and feel ashamed. Looking to what you might gain had you gamble that chance. Maybe you will be better of. Regrets haunt you and always think what could have been. 

Try to be brave and take the road less travelled path. Maybe you will be blessed. Change for the better. 

V2.0 is Jiro. The second son. This is me.

null

Stale. Nothing moves. The motion stopped and I do wonder when will it leap. Acceleration is a dream. But where is the destination? Perhaps that is the question.

Titanium, I am Not

When I think that I am mighty and indestructible. Too much confidence, wisdom and strong. That was just all in my mind.

Realised that I am vulnerable and the icy and wiser exterior is left shaken and now fragile.

But isnt life meant to be lived with imperfection so we learn. I thought I needed some dash of humility and drizzle of compassion. Patience is indeed a virtue. And life of shrinks are super though. That's why they get paid a lot. 

Anyway so much drama over the course of few days. This reached a sensational high. Now, I pray and hope we all learn from the last few days and live the rest of the year wiser.

#N/A!

It felt like a huge excel error when I was about to enter MNL airport last 1st Jan. For one, the security doesnt seem to be crowded. Soon as I step inside, felt like I was in a different world altogether. Crowded and highly dense airport. No one is queueing the check-in counters. That's odd!

I need to know what the heck is happening. I zigzagged the chaotic mass while I dragged my three heavy luggages. Yes, that was a very challenging feat. Spoke to the ground staff and learnt that there is a power outage in the control tower. And the best part, no one knows when it would be resolved.

My instinct tells me to call back my brother and get the luggages back to the car. At least I can think without any baggages. And there was this tiny paper I got from the staff telling me to contact the ticketing office. And after calling them, the automated response was that it is NY and no one is working. Why am I not surprised? While waiting for my brother, I thought how hard would it be to make an official announcement outside so it won't be such a chaos. The airport decision makers should have acted quicked to manage the angry customers. At least for someone like me who has Biz Flexi ticket, I can just go away and come back another day. Right? 

Again, crisis management is really something that PHL aviation should improve on. Remember circa 2017, PAL never again. Was stucked for 2-3 days and it was horrendous.

Anyway, so my brother picked me up and signed to my Teams so I can call SG office. Within few minutes was able to secure a weekend flight. 

Best resolution. Time with Family. Time to visit my condo. ME time in BGC. And of course, some secrets were unfold. But my lips are sealed.

2022 Keeps on Giving

The last few years was coupled with lots of negativity and anxiety. Partly Covid-19 is to blame. The world has changed and people responded with its own defence mechanism. Then 2022 came. So much hope that the pandemic is nearing its end. I was blessed with being able to travel multiple times this year.

I was in Manila in the beginning of January and again, I will be here to celebrate 2023 with my family. I count myself as lucky both with my work who are supportive that they introduced coflex arrangements. In short, they allow us to work any where in the world for 30 days. Ain' that generous?

I did go to Manila again in April/May and again in September. This time to celebrate my grand celebration in Baguio. Grand being I have my relatives too who helped me celebrate this special milestone. I went to New Zealand in October which was refreshing. Seeing the breathtaking views in Queenstown.

Finally, again back in Manila to celebrate my mum's birthday. Then off to Europe for my Winter Wonderland adventure. Lucky to have seen the northern lights, Santa Claus, huskies and the reindeers. Even had safaris to bond with them. I survived the nasty weather in the arctic. Was able to come home safe and sound by Christmas eve with my family.

All in all it was a blessed year for me and I continuously thank God for this bountiful blessings and I hope it continues not only for me but for the rest of my family, relatives and friends. Just keep the faith, stay focused and know your priorities. And lady luck will come unexpectedly.