Monday, December 5, 2022

Going away on holiday? Remember to do these things before you leave

By Clara Lock, The New Paper, 01 December 2022 at 06:19 pm
 

 Travel correspondent Clara Lock (left) and Ms Claire Lim,
PHOTO: Travel correspondent Clara Lock (left) and Ms Claire Lim, brand director of plant boutique Tumbleweed, with plant care solutions such as Leca balls and an "IV drip" self-watering system for indoor plants.
ST Photo: Kevin Lim
Picture posted by Clara Lock, The New Paper on 01 December 2022 at 06:19 pm
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https://tnp.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/travel/going-away-holiday-remember-do-these-things-you-leave


Holidays are meant to be relaxing, but let us be honest – the days leading up to them are often a frenzy of last-minute packing, tying up loose ends at work and tidying the house so you can return to a semblance of order.

Take the stress out of the last task with this checklist. From plant care to kitchen essentials, here are five ways to make homecoming a bit smoother.


 Holidays are meant to be relaxing, but the days leading up to them are often a frenzy of last-minute packing, tying up loose ends at work and tidying the house so you can return to a semblance of order.
PHOTO: Holidays are meant to be relaxing, but the days leading up to them are often a frenzy of last-minute packing, tying up loose ends at work and tidying the house so you can return to a semblance of order.
Picture posted by Get Your Guide
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1. Keep your plants alive
Keep houseplants going for a week or two with these basic watering techniques, says Ms Claire Lim, brand director of plant boutique Tumbleweed Plants.

Fill a tray with Leca balls (＄6, https://str.sg/wCoa), which are made of a lightweight expanded clay aggregate that absorbs moisture. Add water up to the level of the balls and place small houseplants on top.

This allows the plants to draw water from the Leca balls via their roots. The technique creates a humid environment which is ideal for most houseplants.

Or set up what Ms Lim calls an “octopus reservoir”. Gather small plants around a covered pot of water that is elevated by about 30cm. Bury one end of a cotton string about 1cm into the soil of each plant, and submerge the other end in the reservoir.

This allows your plants to pull the water they need through the cotton wick. Two litres of water is enough for 10 to 15 small plants for a week. Test out the system a few days before your trip to ensure that the strings are positioned correctly and working well.


 Ms Claire Lim demonstrating the use of an octopus reservoir, which transfers water into the soil of potted plants via cotton strings dipped in a container of water.
PHOTO: Ms Claire Lim demonstrating the use of an octopus reservoir, which transfers water into the soil of potted plants via cotton strings dipped in a container of water.
ST Photo: Kevin Lim
Picture posted by Clara Lock, The New Paper on 01 December 2022 at 06:19 pm
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You can also purchase an irrigation drip kit (＄8 to ＄18 depending on the size), which lets you control the rate that water dispenses into the soil. Or make your own by punching holes in the cap of a disposable plastic bottle and burying it upside down, about 2.5cm deep.

Regardless of which method you choose, move indoor plants away from direct sunlight, into the centre of the room instead of by the window or on a balcony. This will reduce the amount of water they need while you are away.

2. Prepare a frozen meal
Few things are more comforting than home-cooked food after a week or two of eating out. Having a meal ready at home will save you the trouble of hunting down food at the airport after a long flight.

Before your trip, cook and freeze a meal that is easy to heat up, such as soup, stew, fried rice or lasagne.

Creamy, Western-style vegetable soups (think pumpkin, broccoli or mushroom) can be made in half an hour and apportioned into jars for storage. Recipes (https://str.sg/wCob) are plentiful and mushroom soup is one of my go-tos. Pair it with slices of bread, which you can heat up in a toaster or air fryer, and add a slice of cheese for protein.

If you were holidaying in a Western country, it is likely you will miss Asian food. Satisfy your craving with an easy noodle soup.

Freeze ikan bilis broth (simmer ikan bilis with dried red dates or goji berries for 15 to 20 minutes) and pair it with your favourite kind of noodles, an egg and anything else you can rustle up in your freezer. Dried mushrooms, black fungus, frozen meatballs and frozen vegetables such as broccoli all work well.


 Post-trip ritual:
PHOTO: "Post-trip ritual: Get home, throw dirty clothes into wash. Simmer ikan bilis, add veggies and unearth some ingredients from the freezer. A beancurd roll? A sotong ball? Thank my past self for being diligent with the groceries. Crack an egg, blanch the meesua. Eat with @bainiansg chilli.

This is comfort food, always my first meal when I return from a trip and what I start missing after a week of burgers and pastas and fries.

My mother, who spent 15 years as an SIA stewardess, used to eat the same thing before her flights. Her mother would make beehoon and spinach in an ikan bilis stock, the simplest of recipes handed down. Now that I’ve moved out, I cook it for myself and it always tastes like coming home. 😌"
Picture posted by spokesuchscurvy, Clara Lock, Journalist on 06 November 2021
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This, to me, tastes like coming home.

If you have no time to cook, get some frozen ready-made dishes such as soup, herbal chicken or satay. These are easy to heat up – just 10 minutes in a water bath or steamer.

3. Neighbourhood watch
Enlist the help of a trusted neighbour to pick up e-commerce parcels that arrive at your door. They can also keep an eye out for people lingering outside your house, as you will not be expecting guests.

Secure your gate with an armoured padlock for additional peace of mind, such as this one from Italian company Viro that costs $75.90 from Shopee (https://str.sg/wCou).

4. Car care
 
 If possible, get someone to drive your car regularly or buy a power bank jump starter, and make sure the fuel tank is full and tyres fully inflated.
PHOTO: If possible, get someone to drive your car regularly or buy a power bank jump starter, and make sure the fuel tank is full and tyres fully inflated.
ST Photo: ST file
Picture posted by Clara Lock, The New Paper on 01 December 2022 at 06:19 pm
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Get someone to drive your car regularly to ensure that the battery does not die. Once a day for 30 minutes is ideal, but if that is not possible, do this at least once every three days, says Mr Shaun Martin Plunkett, sales development manager at automotive retail and service company Autobacs Singapore.

If you are unable to do so, purchase a power bank jump starter from Autobacs (https://www.autobacs.com.sg/) to get your car going when you return from your trip. This is a portable unit with enough power to jump-start vehicles and can also charge devices such as smartphones and cameras.

For security, mount an in-car camera, use a steering wheel lock and check that your car alarm system is working properly.

Keep your fuel tank filled up to prevent the build-up of water vapour which may, over time, cause a build-up of rust and jerky acceleration when you next drive your car. This may not be apparent after one vacation, but will wear on your vehicle in the long run.

Ensure that tyres are fully inflated to prevent flat spots, which can occur when a tyre has been stationary under a vehicle load for a prolonged duration. Short-term flat-spotting, over a few days or a week, will self-correct once you drive your car. However, flat spots can weaken your tyre walls if the vehicle is left alone for a month or longer.

5. Housekeeping basics

 Before a trip, clear out anything perishable from the fridge.
PHOTO: Before a trip, clear out anything perishable from the fridge.
Photo: Unsplash
Picture posted by Clara Lock, The New Paper on 01 December 2022 at 06:19 pm
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These tasks sound like common sense, yet might feel like a chore. Set aside an hour or two, put on some music and power through getting them done. Your future self will thank you.

Empty your washing machine and drying rack for post-trip laundry. Place ant and cockroach bait around the house to guard against pests.

Clear out anything perishable from your fridge, which may include cheese, eggs, cooked food and open cartons of milk or yogurt.

Empty out stagnant water in vases or pot bases so that mosquitoes do not breed while you are away.
 
 

 Peace and quietness are important.
PHOTO: Peace and quietness are important. Jesus urged His disciples to get to a quiet place. In doing so they would find rest. Being alone and quiet would restore their weary spirits (Mark 6:31).
Picture posted by Discover Guangxi China on Friday, 01 July 2022 at 03:30 pm - Shanlin County’s Xiashuiyuan (上林下水源 Shàng lín xià shuǐ yuán) upper forest and lower water source, only 2 hours away by car from Nanning
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 As a parallel to wonder in light of God's salvation, silence is a blessed product of the rest that we have in him.
PHOTO: As a parallel to wonder in light of God's salvation, silence is a blessed product of the rest that we have in him. Knowing that God is our God prompts us to “be still” (Psalm 46:10).
Picture posted by Discover Guangxi China on Monday, 27 June 2022 at 08:35 pm - Qianlong Sinkhole (乾龙天坑 Qián lóng tiān kēng) is located in Yongfu County
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By Clara Lock, The New Paper, 01 December 2022 at 06:19 pm
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Reference
[1] Clara Lock, The New Paper, Going away on holiday? Remember to do these things before you leave, posted on  01 December 2022 at 06:19 pm, https://tnp.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/travel/going-away-holiday-remember-do-these-things-you-leave


Links


Busan ​​International Film Festival (BIFF) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/09/busan-international-film-festival-biff.html

Japanese Samba Carnival (links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/japanese-samba-carnival-links.html
 
Asakusa Samba Carnival (links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/asakusa-samba-carnival.html

Brazilian Samba Carnival - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/brazilian-samba-carnival-links.html

Scandinavian Samba Carnival (links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/10/scandinavian-samba-carnival-links.html

Other stories - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/05/other-stories.html

Nursing stories - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/09/nursing-stories.html

Healthcare stories (links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/01/healthcare-stories-links.html

Movie (Links) - https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/11/movie-links.html


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