My grandpa waived goodbye to us on Christmas day, he passed away in his sleep, which had seemed to be an exhausted day for him.

He is a classic Hakka husband - thrifty living, but love the wife so much that he can forget the rule of being thrifty.

My late granny was a fan of direct sales products - yes, the sales just love her - I remember grandpa was grumpy about the necessity of the products, yet in the end, still gave in.

When my granny wanted to stay in somewhere that is cooling, he immediately bought a unit of condo at genting. How lovely.

Then my late granny had to walk with stick. There was one occasion I was with them in the lift. The moment the lift door open, the first thing my grandpa did was to hold her hand. How sweet.

That was in year 2007, the year I struggled with work. I took the opportunity to relax at Genting during some of the weekends. I'm glad I did, which since to be the last few months I could spend with my late granny.

Needless to say, the departure of my granny was a big blow to him - it was a surprise as it happened within a month from the moment she was hospitalised.

Back to my grandpa, for the past 7 years, he had been unhappy. We tried to bring him to travel around but in recent years, his legs are not as good as before, coupled with serious obesity issue.

About 2 months ago, he had a fall. From there on, his health had worsen, first was the serious water retention issue on his legs, which he was reluctant to see doctor until 3 weeks ago.

He was hospitalised when we were in Bangkok. On 15th Dec, the day we came back from Bangkok, we as a family immediately visited him in the hospital.

That was our last time communicating with him as one family.

In the hospital, it seems he didn't eat for the past 1 (or 2?) days, my sister and I fed him with biscuit and milk. I could still recall the scene when he ate the biscuit hungrily, my heart sank.

I'm glad I managed to do something for both my late grandparents before their departure. Not something great but something I hope I had given some little care.

The rest is history.

The reason I put the song, Real Love, is dedicated to my grandpa.

He won't be alone now as he, after 7 years, is reunited with my late granny in better place.

Rest in peace, grandpa. You will be missed and we love you.

I was fortunate to travel to two countries that have close relationship to my life
1) Taiwan: as a descendent of Chinese, it is normal for me to compare with Chinese descendent in Malaysia and in Taiwan

2) Japan: I watch Japanese drama, love Japanese food and use Japanese product. It was dream like for me to be able to travel to Japan
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Interestingly, these countries are closely related to each other.

Taiwan was under Japanese colonial for half a century. Till todate, many things in Taiwan are still heavily influenced by Japanese.

The train, they way they being polite, the product they use, they way they promote the products/awarenes, tv shows.... Etc

I immediately realised this on day 1 I stepped into Japan (i went to Taiwan in April, then to Japan in October)

In Taiwan, I went to Taipei, hualien, kaohsiong, taichung, alishan.

In Japan. I went to Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, nara and Hokkaido.

Nice view in Taiwan... In terms of nature sightseeing in alishan & hualien.

Taipei, taichung and kaohsiong are urban cities (shop till you drop in Taipei and weather in kaohsiong reminds me of KL)

We thought of visiting Taiwan again in few years time but... Malaysia Airline gave us early Christmas gift: we managed to hunt return ticket to Osaka with just... RM189

So, spent another total RM7000 in this trip. All in.

We were pleasantly surprised with all the five places in Japan. Each of them have their own uniqueness.

Osaka: a city with historical places to visit, various food, even more shopping than Taipei

Kobe: peaceful city ... Lots of European style buildings and... Kobe beef.

Kyoto: city of temples. Extra nice if you visit during autumn leaves season.

Nara: city of deers. Where deer > human

Hokkaido: RAMEN AND SEAFOOD! You can't go wrong with those two (er... Skiing wasn't part of the plan so can't comment)

Hokkaido is unique on its own. They have many products produced and sold only in Hokkaido (maybe a marketing strategy, but still feel exclusive) and their airport sells seafood and fresh corn (!!!!??)

When we were back home, my parents stopped mentioning about visiting Taiwan in near future.

My mum kept the Japanese yen asking us when are we going to Japan again.

And the couple spent the next one week revisit the photos taken in Japan.

If you have visited Taiwan, try Japan. You won't be disappointed.

Cheap air ticket, no visa requirement, depreciated Japanese Yen.

What more can I ask for?

Japan here I come!

After knowing where my sis works, my big boss said:

"Your parents should be proud of you both: one works in big four bank in Malaysia, another one works in big four advertising agency."

Thanks papa mama

Update:thanks tc for loaning the sim card. Now my sis can call me when she's lost us while shopping.

Big thanks to tc. Now I'm confident ever on the trip planning.

She some more gave me warming pad, maps even souvenir.

The biggest takeaway, is that my sis might spend next month's salary in advance, or more.

So I heard from tc that Taiwan is a heaven for shopping. Here's how the ladies in her group shop:
1) used up all the cash
2) started using card
3) borrow money from trip members who still have cash
4) when they get money from VAT refund, continue shopping again.

My family and I will be there next month.

Considering my sis has already been shopping monthly from Taiwan e-shop such as queen shop, Tokyo fashion, bai momo etc...

Good luck.