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TRYING NOT TO LOSE IT

Published: 31/01/2012 - Filed under: Editor's Note »

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Residing in a city (Hong Kong) that observes two New Year calendars (Gregorian and Lunar), Monday’s festivities provided me the opportunity to reiterate a personal resolution aimed at cutting down stress, especially when I’m travelling.

On second thought, make that commuting…jumping out of a taxi cab…checking out of a guestroom…disembarking from a plane…leaving a restaurant – the list could go on. Yes, I’ve forgotten countless items behind in my peripatetic life and this year, I’ve vowed to exercise more care in keeping an eye on my belongings. Heading the roster of things that gone astray are eyewear, (spectacles and shades), followed by ballpens and markers, pocketbooks, business card holders, tootbrushes, pashmina shawls (sigh), earrings, mobile phones and about four times – all in a taxi – my wallet!

Once, if not for an astute concierge at the Ritz-Carlton Kuala Lumpur, who casually enquired as I was about to enter the hotel car: “Miss, I hope you haven’t left anything in the personal safe”, I would not have remembered my passport was still peacefully ensconced in that steel box until it was too late. Thank goodness, more porters are now trained to ask guests to conduct an inspection (like under the duvet or beside the sink) before vacating their premises. With more compartments in new-generation airplane seats, the chances of forgetting items increases. So, it might not be a bad idea for a reminder message to flash prominently and continuously on the seatback screen to check the various nooks and crannies of that Recaro-designed engineering marvel.

Blame it on today's furious obsession to reach a destination or an appointment in the quickest time possible that results in a mad rush and disorganisation. This is when we are at our most vulnerable and easy prey to pickpockets, evil doers and worse, our own absent mindedness. When I recall those instances when a quick backward glance could have saved me the great grief of having to re-purchase an expensive – but vital – piece of technology, reconstruct my contacts or call up emergency hotlines in the wee hours to cancel credit cards, I can only mentally kick myself and gnash my teeth with frustration. If only...why didn't I...what if... The truth is, I didn't and had to pay the price of carelessness.

At the height of recrimination, I usually console myself with saying at least it wasn't my life that was lost. When put that way, of course, the inconvenience becomes just a blip in one's week of more pressing concerns.

Here's hoping I keep my wits about me in 2012 and remember to look back. I hope you do too.

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