Clothes

Packing

Save on padding — secure items by wrapping them in clothes, cloths and towels. It’ll save you money and space, as you’re packing two things at once. Save on boxes — ask any supermarket, they will have extra unused boxes that you can use to pack your stuff. Don’t seal them off completely. Fill in items periodically and close them once you’re ready to move. For boxes without handles, cut squares into the sides; easier to carry during transport. Fragile and delicate — stack paper plates in between glass plates to prevent breakage.

Moving services

Choose the right partner — movers are a convenient and are a time saving resource to help you through the process. There are plenty of transportation services out there. Do some basic research and get a quote for the best price to suit your budget. Movers offer packages for moving, storing, and delivery depending on your requirements. The right package will help you save time, money, and all that heavy lifting!

Pets

The first thing that you’ll need to do is ensure your pet has the necessary vaccinations. Apply for an Import Permit from Jabatan Haiwan Kuala Lumpur. Upon receiving this, apply for the Export Permit from Jabatan Haiwan Kota Kinabalu. Book a ticket on the airline of your choice to transport your pet; they charge by weight. You should also book an animal hotel once your pet arrives. The airline agents should be able to help you with the customs paperwork. It’s best to do this within a week of your departure date. Remember to pack a blanket, play toy or something familiar to keep your pet calm. Avoid feeding your pet a heavy meal prior to the flight but ensure it is well hydrated. Take your pet for a walk to stretch its legs before getting into the travel crate. Your precious one is now ready to travel!

Documentation

Ensure all your important documents and paperwork are in order before the big move. Check that your passports are valid for travel and vaccination requirements have been adhered to. Remember to keep a photocopy of your passports, birth certificates, or marriage certificates (store them separately from the original). Get your family’s medical and dental records. Notify your doctors or insurance agents of your move.

Dear families and friends,

Thank you so much for making this birthday special with all your warm wishes and kind thoughts.

I would like to express my gratitude to all my family members, friends, colleagues, and my social media friends for wishing me well with all the wonderful wishes, virtual cakes, cute posters and present. :D

Also, thanks for wishing me personally and singing birthday songs to me. Big hugs to my colleagues who organized a great birthday lunch and surprise birthday song and cake! That was an emotional happy-friends-family moment for me. Thanks for all the Whatsapp and social media wishes too.

Love you guys to bits..:)

Never ending thank you to my mother who brought me to this world and care for me, my father who is the most patient and kind hearted father who loves me very much, my brothers who always support me all this while, my sisters in law who love me just like their own sisters, my mother and father in law who loves me like their own daughter and my brother in law and sisters in law who accept me kindly to be in their family. Thank you to my foster sisters, best friends and long lost buddies who always love me. Thank you to all my friends who love me with all your heart, accept and treat me as a good friend. Thanks to my teachers, lecturers, mentors, leaders and bosses who made me the person I am today. Thank you to all my readers and followers who support and love my write up and photos, it means the world to me.

Another special person is my husband who never failed to support me, especially in my bad times and always believed in my strengths and guides me to improve my weaknesses. I will be so much different than I am today if I never met you in my life and have you as my husband. Thank you for your endless love, patience, motivation, surprises and gifts. And for all of these, I thank God the Almighty for giving me such wonderful people in my life and make them stay to celebrate my life with them. Despite the challenges I faced in my life and all the losses I have encountered, I am grateful for all the blessings You have showered me and You always know what’s the best for me.

I am not perfect and will never be, but I hope and will try my best to improve myself day by day. I hope someday if I am no longer in the world, my families and friends will remember and pray for me. I also hope my writings can provide some motivation and inspire some out there.

Birthday is another day for us to celebrate our life, nonetheless to me it is also to celebrate the people around me who is always there to support me and love me kindly. A million thank you to all of you and Happy Birthday to each and every one of you for loving me. ❤

P.S. Apologies for the long note (just like receiving an award, lol, but if it is this long, I surely will be kicked by the organizer because it’s damn long :P). Nevertheless, this is how I felt and I am truly blessed, thus this is my expression of gratitude to all of you. If I missed mentioning you, even the slightest, you know all your good and memorable times with me, so you are one of them and thanks to you too. ❤

Lots of love,

Sofia

Dear all,

From the bottom of my heart, I would like to apologise to any of you who is reading this if I ever did anything wrong to you in my life. Be it through my writings, words or actions. This is an open apology note to those I have known in my life, personally or just a friend in social media platform or anyone out there who knows me. I know I can’t please everyone but I always try my best not to hurt anyone’s feelings. If I ever cause you any pain in any manner, please forgive me.

I have lived my life for 26 years and I would like to take this opportunity to relive more years to come with a greater purpose and more noble friendships. Apologising is never easy, but to forgive and forget is the hardest. I have learned that in the end, a life of content is to ask for forgiveness, forgive people and try to forget what has happened. Although that doesn’t mean that we should take someone's kindness for granted. Holding grudges will eventually eat you up day by day and make you a person full of anger and disappointment. Let’s respect and understand each other better, that’s the best.

I wish turning 27 is not just another birthday, but a day, and more years to come with greater future filled with love from my families, friends and colleagues, more wisdom and experience that I can learn and hope I can benefit others as well through my work, writings, photos and work of art.

Thank you for being there with me through my whole life or even just a day, I have understood life better by having all of you in my life. Thanks for cherishing, supporting and appreciating me all this while. You all know who you are. It means a lot.

I wish the best to all of you and may we all live a great future together with good intentions and positive energy.

Love,

Yesterday, something magical transpired. I was out for lunch with my colleague. On our way back, out of the blue he stopped me for a while and asked me, do you believe in magic? I’m like “Yeah, I do. I know most of the magician is an illusionist but perhaps out of this 7 billion people, maybe one or two can really do magic. Maybe..”, I told my friend. He said “Okay. Let me show you some magic..”

Then he showed me his magic trick using a necklace and a ring and how the ring suddenly twisted (a knot) without him do the knot. Interesting and it was indeed a good illusion. He gave me and I tried to pull it off like he did, but I failed (obviously hahaha). So..he exposed me the trick again and how he really does it and I was like, ‘that’s cool’. But I told him, that was not magic, indeed a good illusion.

So we walked back to our office and on the way back, I suddenly thought of my access card that I kept in my jacket and checked it out. “Oh no! It’s gone. I think it dropped somewhere” I told my friend anxiously. I told him there was money together with the card (consider a lot).

Unfortunately, my jacket pocket had torn and it was big until the card fell of the pocket without me realizing. He told me if there’s a lot of money, people who find it, might take the money and throw away the card because there’s no number or anything to contact me from the card even if they want to return the card. I said “that’s true, but I hope someone finds the card and send me back the card”..He said “Very unlikely”..And so we tried to back track, search for it, but failed.

After the unsuccessful ‘rescue card mission’, we went back to the office and all I can do at that moment was file a report that my card was missing to the admin team. They took the note and informed me that I have to do a new card with a charge of RM 50 for the building management fee.

I was sad because it was unfortunate that I lost my card and I have to fork out more money to pay it, but yes, that’s the fee. I sat down at my desk and work on some work first before going to the building management to make the card payment and suddenly my office phone rang and I answered. “Sofia, someone found your card, she said please collect from her at the next door building because she said there’s money inside the card. She found our office number behind the access card. Her name is Adura and this is her number..”. I was like “Oh my God, thank you so much and I jot down her name and number..” I quickly call her and she was so nice and I thanked her so much for her kindness.

I went down and on my way I bought her some yogurt drinks at my lobby as a token of appreciation to her and her friends that helped found and kept my access card and money safe. When I reached there, I saw her and thanked her so much and I hand over her the drinks. She refused and said I don’t have to give her anything at all, but I said “Please, it’s my token of appreciation and may God bless you and friends”. She said “Thank you very much and please go back, it’s going to rain”.

I went back to my office happily, not just because I got back my access card and money, but because I met a beautiful soul (souls-her friends too!) which is pretty rare these days for people to find something and return back to the owner. I told my magician friend “Guess what? Someone returned the card to me and that was magical” and I told him the whole story. He was like “Woah, that is truly a magic and that’s a real one”. We both smiled.

Today, I told my admin friend in snippets of the story and she said ‘Yesterday, right after your loss, another lady also lost her card, but someone found it and return to her. Yesterday was a lucky day for both of you. Usually when the card is lost, it will loss forever, no return”. I told her, yes, very lucky and magical.

Why I share this story is because sometimes when you think that there is so many bad or evil people, but there is still good and beautiful soul out there. Rare but there is. Everyone has its good and bad side. It depends on us, which side we want it to be more, the good or the bad.

When we are in a difficult situation and bad things happened, it is a course for us to learn more about life. Never give up, pray and always do your best. Thank you for those who have helped me in my life journey all this while, no matter how small it is. You guys have showed and teach me valuable lessons in life and I thanked you for that.

Kindness, this is the 21^st century magic, rare of its kind, but it's real.

Do good, spread kindness and may we have kindness and humanity for each other and other beings in this world. J

Luv,

Sofia

So, you have decided you want to travel but don’t know the right time to go or which continent to explore? Here is a comprehensive list of three stunning continents and the best time to travel to each of these majestic parts of the world.

Europe

There are 3 main seasons for travelling in Europe, which are high, low and shoulder. Every one of these seasons has its own benefits and drawbacks that will have an impact on your travelling experience.

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June to August (High Season)

The peak of summer in Europe is from June to August and these months are called the high season. The weather is amazing, as Europe doesn’t get much rain during this time of the year. Al fresco dining is awesome during this time, even at night, so staying out late is a definite option. Long summer days also mean the sun doesn’t set till quite late at night, especially in Northern Europe. So, there is a lot of sightseeing that can be crammed in during the day before watching the sunset and enjoying your al fresco dinner on an European patio. A lot of popular tourist attractions are open throughout the season so you can see and do so much. Remember, with crowds of tourists and locals; always mind your social etiquettes. Last but not least, Europe hosts hundreds of outdoor music festivals during the summer because the weather is lovely.

November to April (Low Season)

With exception of the Alps where the high season is from late December to March because of skiers, low season in Europe takes place from November to April. Besides the Alps, Europe is home to a lot of great locations for winter sports and activities. Speaking of thrilling activities, it is a good idea to get a comprehensive travel insurance plan so that you can be easily reimbursed in the event of a calamity or accident. This is also the ideal time to travel to Europe for budget travellers, as prices drop as low as 30% less than the high season, so purchasing good travel insurance should be a cinch. It’s also a wonderful time to visit famous locations like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, Louvre, the Tower of London, the Coliseum and St. Peter’s Basilica without the intense crowds of tourists during the high season. So, there is no need to wait in long lines and crowded trains.

April to June and September to November (Shoulder Season)

These are some of the best months to visit Europe. Spring is in full bloom from April to June and the ambush of seasonal travellers has not begun. Europe’s many parks and gardens will be blossoming with a plethora of vibrant flowers. September to November is great for travelling too because the weather is cool and you’ll see colorful autumn leaves everywhere. Prices also remain low during the shoulder season.

Asia

When you travel to this continent, take note of the weather, wildlife and events that are happening.

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Weather

November through February is typically the best time to travel to Asia as its drier and cooler. Malaysia and Indonesia experience dry seasons from April to October. Wet monsoon rains fall from June to October in most countries, making it difficult to dive, surf, hike or sunbathe.

Wildlife

If you are an animal lover, Taman Negara National Park in Malaysia is a great place to see smaller “big” cats, bats, snakes and flying squirrels. The best time to visit is between February and September. The months of March till October are the perfect times to see the endangered orangutans of Borneo. If you are planning to visit Thailand, Khao Sok National Park in Southern Thailand is a perfect place to see leopards, sun bears, gibbons, tigers and elephants.

Events

It's recommended that you plan your travel around Thailand's Songkran festival from April 13 to 15th, when Thais celebrate their New Year by flooding the streets while wielding water guns, buckets of water and handfuls of talcum powder. In September, the Laos Dragon Boat Race is held in every riverside town. This race features vibrant costumes and a parade on water. If you want to travel to Laos in early November, head to the Pha That Luang temple in Vientiane where thousands of Buddhists gather. It’s truly an amazing sight to behold.

South America

Interestingly, South America’s seasons are opposite of North America’s seasons. So, when it’s summer in North America, Europe and Asia, it’s wintertime in South America. There’s also a good time to go to South America and there’s a great time to go to South America. Here are a few famous spots and the months when it’s a great time to go.

https://pixabay.com/en/machu-picchu-ruins-mountains-peru-1569324/

Argentina

Much like Europe, shoot for the shoulder season, which is during April and May. It’s when the cool, crystal clear air makes its way from the arctic, pushing off the tropical haze from the north. The Argentine summer is from December to March, and during this time, days are sunny and warm. This is the best time to visit Patagonia.

Brazil

Avoid Carnival, Easter, Christmas, New Year and the Brazilian summer from December to February because of the crowds. If you want to go during those months, just be sure to book your Brazilian vacation ahead of time. The Brazilian winter, from June to August allows coastal towns like Rio de Janeiro to still enjoy warm temperatures. If you want to see the Amazon Rainforest, go during the dry season, which is between June and December. There is less rain and fewer bugs. To see a myriad of wildlife, then battle the rainy season between January and May.

Colombia

The best time to go to this amazing part of South America is during December to March, when there are plenty of festivals to enjoy and partake in. The best time to soak up the sun is from July to August. Avoid April and May as it will be rainy in Colombia. If you don’t like crowds, don’t plan a trip during June to July and the holiday season in December.

Peru

The wonderful thing about Peru is that you can go there all year-round and have the best time. This is because Peru is situated close to the equator and has mild winters and summers. High in the Andes Mountains, in the Peruvian cloud forest is where the incredible Machu Picchu is located. Here, there are distinct wet and dry seasons. Typically, the rainy season is from November to February, so you might get wet if you plan on visiting Machu Picchu or hiking the Inca Trail. Bring a poncho or rain jacket along. Remember this important fact before planning a trip to Peru; the Inca Trail is closed every February for trail maintenance. The best time to go is April or May. Everything is lush and green. There are no clouds, less crowds and beautiful, deep blue skies.

Before you leave for your next exciting international trip, take a moment to think about the ringgits and cents, or should we say pounds and pesos? Carrying currency on a holiday is a delicate balancing act between utility and safety. The key is to make your money difficult to access so that it deters thieves and pickpockets. Gone were the days of carrying traveller’s checks around. Today, all of us are more likely to use cash from ATM withdrawals and credit or debit cards, which usually offer better exchange rates and lower fees than traveller’s checks. All you need are some tips and tricks to avoid losing money on a vacation. To give yourself additional peace of mind, purchase an all-inclusive travel insurance plan so that you will be reimbursed in the event of an abhorred calamity. Once you have done that, keep these tricks up your sleeve so that you keep the pesky thieves away.

Whenever you can, divvy up your travel cash as well as credit cards into a few safe spots. When all your money is in one spot, it makes it easier for a thief to take all of it at once. For instance, keep some money on your person and some in your bag. In the event your bag gets lost or snatched, you still have another stash to tie you through till you get to a police station or back to your hotel.

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There are many under clothing storage accessories today that are much more effective than neck pouches and money belts. Though these classics still can get the job done, the newer options are more discreet like bra, long johns, and underwear as well as under shirts that have built-in pockets for secure storage. These on body storage accessories are especially useful if you’re sleeping somewhere that doesn’t have a secure place for cash and other valuables. Also, not forgetting when you accidentally fall asleep at airports or on trains and buses.

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As there are many virtues of dividing money, there are also many advantages of carrying smaller denominations of currency that is easily accessible when you are out and about. Albeit, changing or withdrawing large amounts of money reduces the fees, it also means that you’ll be travelling with far more cash and larger bills. With smaller notes, you’ll avoid pulling out the local equivalent of a $100-dollar bill when you want to buy something for 30 cents. Always make sure you’ve got a variety of small bills and coins ready for small purchases like souvenirs, food and any local attraction entry tickets. One of the best money safety tips is to stash away the larger bills in your under clothing storage pocket or tuck them into a secure part of your wallet or bag and stick to small bills.

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Some bags are just tougher than others and this applies to all travel purses, backpacks and bags. There are bags today that are specifically designed with travel safety in mind. These bags have features like steel-cable-reinforced shoulder straps, slash-proof fabric, and locking zippers and are even cut-proof. Qualities like these slow down thieves and deter opportunistic pickpockets.

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https://pixabay.com/en/travel-leather-bags-695620/

Besides getting a dummy wallet, you may also want to consider a wallet that is designed specifically for travel. If you are the kind of person whose everyday wallet is choc full of cards like gym memberships, library cards, pre-paid coffee cards and frequent buyer cards, the pockets of your wallet are more often than not, stretched out. The pockets will be loose when you minimize the contents before you travel. By buying a travel-only wallet, your essential cards will have snug pockets and they can’t slip out accidentally. As you check off all the countries on your travel bucket list, you won’t have to unpack and repack your day-to-day wallet. All you need to do is switch out what you need according to your next destination.

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Amongst all the money safety tips, this one is probably the easiest to do. If you are visiting a metropolitan city, get yourself a multi-use ticket or a travel pass so you can forgo your cash or credit card when you hop from buses to trains. Most cities’ public transportation system offers multi-use cards like London’s Oyster card or San Francisco’s Clipper card. Paris offers a “carnet” on its metro, which gets you 10 single-ride tickets for one discounted price. Take advantage of these facilities so that you can reduce your chances of losing your wallet by simply retrieving and stowing it fewer times.

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Speaking of stowing your wallet, sometimes the best way to protect your money is to not carry it all. Most hotels’ in-room safes are pretty secure. If you have a wad of cash or an item that you’re particularly anxious about, check with the concierge if the hotel has a safe-deposit box behind the desk. If you do decide to use the hotels behind the desk safe, just remember to collect your items before you leave. When you are packing and leaving in a hurry, you can easily forget your items. As the saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind.” Leave a colorful post-it note in your room or on your suitcase as a reminder to retrieve your things at the concierge.

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To read more about 10 places to see in your lifetime, click here: 
http://www.sofianaznim.com/2017/06/travel-bucket-list-10-places-to-see.html